How NOT to Pick HVAC Registers and Grilles: Aria Vents Test Data Reviewed

[@JAMichaelsDesigner]

I like that you broke this down for people. I am an HVAC professional. I saw this grill years ago and really liked it for the esthetics but also immediately realized that there was no way it could effectively throw air in any meaningful way. Something that you will see in almost all supply grills and diffusers is some sort of louver or device to direct airflow. This is necessary to evenly and effectively cover a space with the conditioned air, preventing hot spots. The dispersion angle of this product is very narrow and would have difficulty providing an even temperature across an entire room (with an exception being very tight, very well insulated builds with low load demands). It does not have any device to direct air dispersal and is essentially just hoping the air will get where it needs to go. The Aria products restrict the air velocity in two ways. The first is what was discussed by the net free area being smaller than can accommodate typical face velocities. (Lots of air through a small hole.) The second can be more easily understood by comparing the airflow to a small stream that has a large boulder in the middle of it. As the water tries to pass, only so much of it can make it around at a time creating a dam-like effect. Aria stops the natural flow of air abruptly with a wall and then has it move around that wall to the small openings on the side. This increases the pressure in the ductwork by creating a bottleneck and contributes to the face velocity issue. A consequence of this is that now the system is under a higher static pressure (simply meaning more air with nowhere to go) than the equipment installed will be designed for. The blower motor will subsequently burn out prematurely and need to be replaced more often than comparable systems with more traditional grill/diffuser options. Typically the only time you will see residential HVAC systems employ a high static motor is in manufactured homes (mobile homes, trailers). This is because the duct system is just one big chase that spans the entire length of the home without changing sizes. Rectangular holes are then cut into the duct chase in each room. This design philosophy centers around cheap methods to circulate air. Air is forced in and it comes out where it comes out. You could think of it like a bottle of water with three holes poked into it at different heights. The one at the top gets the least pressure so it has a weak stream of water. The one in the middle has more pressure so it has a stronger stream of water. The bottom hole has a ton of pressure and has a strong stream. All of them are getting something 🤷🏻‍♂️ and that is good enough. Since high static blower motors are almost exclusively for manufactured homes, it is unlikely you could source factory spec equipment with that option. I love minimalist design which was why this product initially caught my eye. An alternative would be to utilize products that commercial construction have used for decades. Linear diffusers, or slot diffusers, are a minimal option that can be used in ceilings, sidewalls or from the floor. They can be as narrow as two inches and spread the net free area for the air to travel over longer distances (this can be 2’, 4’ or customizable). They also allow for directional airflow through louvers or baffles just inside the grill/diffuser. Does it take more planning? Yes. Do you need to make alterations to how structural components are designed and installed? Probably. Does your HVAC contractor need to know before they bid your job? Yes. Might adjustments need to be made to accommodate how ductwork can be run? Yes. It does take planning and intent on the front end but this can achieve an end product that is beautiful, clean and fits the esthetic you were looking for with products like Aria. I hope that some of you find this information helpful and I am grateful to channels like Home Performance that help educate homeowners and builders about building sciences and promote improved standards for the level of quality we expect and deserve from our homes.

[@HomePerformance]

What a great comment! Thanks for taking the time, JAM.

[@ErcanALTINEL]

Can I get an idea for a return grille with filter?

[@JAMichaelsDesigner]

@@ErcanALTINEL There are companies online that do sell decorative return grills. If you are wanting to make your current return filter grill look less offensive one of those may be an option. I would ask the companies lots of questions about their product though. From pictures, you almost never see a filter actually installed. Most of the designs I have seen would allow you to see the filter, which most people would not want. I would ask if there is a screen or perforated layer behind the design to hide the filter. Alternatively, they do make return grill registers that have a perforated front and that may be an option that appeals to you. If you are designing a home that is yet to be built, you could design your filtration to be located at the air handler or furnace. This allows you to most styles of registers as long as there is sufficient airflow back to the unit. I’m institutional and commercial design this could include linear slot diffusers that are hidden behind other elements. For instance if there is a dropped crown moulding that will allow room for diffused up lighting, a linear slot diffuser can be designed into that space pulling return air with minimal visual impact. Or you can design in decorative return grills into wainscoting in some areas. Only one may be functional but the design repeats in each panel. There are a lot of ways this can be done to limit the visual impact of a cold air return. Usually by obscuring it or integrating it with another design element is the most effective way. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[@ErcanALTINEL]

@@JAMichaelsDesigner Thank you very much

[@katiehartmann7111]

Late to the conversation here.. but question. I was thinking about putting 2 of these returns in my house (both in the same room) literally the only ones in the entire home. Would that put too much stress on the hvac system? I like the aesthetic, but obviously not at the cost of my system! Thanks for any replies, much appreciated!

[@fittes.]

Thank you for your detailed rundown! Our R&D process is in continual development as we balance form and function. We will continue to be transparent with our clients and provide data sheets. Providing solutions with optimal airflow and beautiful aesthetics are both very important to our team. Vents are a part of the system not all of it. And because everyone’s HVAC system is different, determining airflow needs is a case-by-case situation. While there are no “perfect” vent options, as you have mentioned, Aria Vent provides an innovative solution that is modular, easy to install, and complements every type of interior design.

[@HomePerformance]

We admire your transparency. Thanks for posting the data so your clients fon’t get taken by surprise (ideally).

[@chriswilson7138]

at least they list their specifications. There are plenty of air grilles that have no OEM test specifications. With specifications that bad though, I'm surprised they published them at all.

[@theastuteangler]

Is this the same Chris Wilson from 285?

[@chriswilson7138]

@@theastuteangler - I don't think so, sorry.

[@theastuteangler]

@@chriswilson7138 all good, thanks for reply!

[@mpxz999]

If a company chooses to post misleading specifications, then for integrity sake, maybe the company should post no specifications at all 😂

[@jd5016]

So what is the best type of vent to allow maximum airflow?

[@aarond5173]

This is a very informative video. I have these grills installed in my house and the temperature and indoor air quality is perfect. The house has no problem heating to 74 degrees Fahrenheit on winter days with an outside temp of -4 degrees Fahrenheit. It has no problem cooling the house to 74 degrees Fahrenheit with an outside temp of 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The furnaces and air conditioners in my house are pretty good (Lennox EL296V variable high efficiency 2 stage furnaces and Lennox 13 SEER 2.5 and 3 ton ACs) and the house has very good energy efficiency (tight building envelope). That being said there are two things I would like to point out: 1) If you are sensitive to sound, you will definitely hear the hiss or woosh of air being drawn into the cold air returns. The best way I can describe this is that in a very quiet environment (think going to bed) the system will sound similar to what you might hear when you are in a hotel and hear the hotels HVAC system operating. 2) I would (am) also concerned about the added strain the restricted return airs would put on the furnace itself and if this would effect the longevity or life of the system. EDIT: from a noise perspective, my 4x10 hardwood supply registers make more noise than my 8 x 10 aria drywall register. EDIT 2: if you are building a new house and advise your HVAC designer that you will be using these vents, they can also design the system with a couple of extra cold air returns which will solve most of the issues described in this video. Not 6 cold air returns in a row, just a couple of extra ones spready throughout the house.

[@rcannon409]

Your concerns at your home are valid. Your system would last longer and cost less to run if you had decent intake covers. Wood VS this type of vent is junk VS junk.... You just paid a lot for it. Based on the numbers on the sales charts, you don't need a "couple" of extra intakes or vents, you need five times as many to equal a cheap, metal grill. Some products are cheap, but work really well. People feel better paying more for a product thst doesn't work even half as well as cheap.

[@markn2904]

Warped my mind, trying to wrap my head around this, because the ducting behind the wall!!! Mind exploded!!!

[@karaoke-plus]

I greatly appreciate your video. I recently opened up a wall between the living room and kitchen, and was curious about using one of these. I'm definitely sticking with a traditional vent.

[@DavidLCangelloMDFACSNewYork]

Makes great sense and thank you. Unfortunately I did end up returning them as my HVAC guy did calculations and said I’d need 16 of them in one room to get the supply flow I needed!

[@aireworkz929]

Thank you for this explanation, I knew it would choke an existing system but just need to be 100% sure.

[@HomePerformance]

👍🏽👍🏽

[@pitaguy11]

Great breakdown! I was just looking into these. Thanks a bunch for such a detailed explanation!

[@terry_orie]

Thanks for confirming that good looking doesn't necessarily equate to good performing. They were looking suspect in the performance arena to me though I do like the look. You saved me $$$!

[@giyah6038]

Hi. Just found your channel…so glad! Wondering if you’ve reviewed the Texas Buildmart AC covers (also sold on Amazon).

[@petem6503]

The point (these decorative grille alternatives inhibit air flow) is well made. In general, appearance and performance conflict in HVAC issues. A bit of correction on the area ratios: a 2x10 isn't really 20 square inches. The vanes in a standard grille interfere with air flow. A rough rule of thumb is that the gross area times 50% (30% for small grilles) gives a good approximation of the "net free area" that the air actually uses (there are a lot of edge effects). The decorative alternative also has a net/gross ratio, but is probably closer to 80%. However, any way you slice it, "pretty" sacrifices "performance". Standard grilles are standard for a reason.

[@jasonperry6046]

Thanks for this review. It helps me understand how to objectively look at grill selection

[@JEMnCo]

How about Envisivent - Removable Magnetic Mud-in Flush Mounted Wall Air Vent. Do these flow any better?

[@Traxxion]

Thanks! You saved me a LOT of money!!!

[@HomePerformance]

YEAH MAN! Thanks for the love.

[@Traxxion]

@@HomePerformance I run a completely unrelated channel and am always trying to "educate" consumers about that Super button!

[@levidobbin5654]

I've known about this brand for about 4 years now. Local to my area, glad they listed their stuff - but they've had the "currently in testing" on there for at least the 4 years I've known about them. I'd be okay with using them if I could convince the customer to let me put 50 of them in per floor lol. Sure they wouldn't have any floor left, but why not? ALSO - I did do a house where the customer bought these to install. The returns are physically about 3" deep - meaning they FILL a 2x4 wall. Minimum, a 2x6 wall needs to be framed to make the data comparable to a 2x4 wall. Obviously retrofits are out of the question.

[@HomePerformance]

Good points, Levi

[@marizelsanjose574]

Is there an alternative product that looks as slick as aria but doesn’t hinder it’s peak performance?

[@MrPHUCKYOURSELF]

They look great but right away I know standard vents with louvers work way better. This is exactly what type of video I was lookin for.

[@MAGAMAN]

You mean a thing that blocks most of the vent is going to restrict my air flow? I am shocked! Shocked I tell you!

[@karthin8017]

Thank you for the realistic analysis

[@HomePerformance]

With pleasure

[@priceandpride]

Thank you for your honest technical review

[@RemodelingMasters]

In your opinion, do you think it's better to install a linear vent for a modern look instead of installing multiple Aria vents for proper air circulation? do you have a video about linear vents?

[@asadtariq5584]

Thank you for such a detailed video. That is very helpful. Have you tested envisivent vent covers and are they better than aria vents?

[@RickyTricky90]

Cfm increase is due to bottle necking at vent. Huge strain in your fan unit. Probably take 4 times or longer to cool a home AND burn your fan unit up in the process.

[@DavidLCangelloMDFACSNewYork]

What a timely video and excellent presentation. I'm a bit concerned because I just purchased 6 of the 6"x10" supply vents for an addition to our home. That being said, I did not purchase their return grills. I have regular return grills with lots of flow. Is the strain on the system more a function of having poor return flow, supply flow or both? I guess I'm trying to figure out if I will potentially be ok with using just the supply vents.

[@rcannon409]

David, you've got the idea and you are on the right track. If I go out to your car and shove a potato into it's exhaust pipe, the fact that you bought a high flow intake really doesn't matter. A restriction, anywhere is an issue. Ideally, the only restriction is the coil/radiator type device that heats and cools the air. We want the air in, or out, to flow as easy as possible to the location we want to heat/cool.

[@melinam7216]

I can’t watch the video right now so I’ll come back to it. I just installed these into my ceiling in my bathroom (not the exhaust) just the air vents, there are two of them. I was planning on going room by room and doing them through out my house but now I’m having second thoughts. Can you post a quick pro/cons comment please ??

[@TheSchwiz]

I just bought two of these to use as return registers. Will it also reduce the airflow for returns and do you think it will cause issues?

[@personaltip]

What do you think of Linear slot diffuser performance. They do look stylish but not sure about their performance. I can see there could be a little bit or air restrictions from the way it looks.

[@HomePerformance]

Just do the math, and understand that they’ll be more expensive than conventional grilles. Everything can work as long as you use it correctly.

[@kevin0927]

Could I get away with using them as toe kicks? 2x12 has 11sqft of open area

[@theomass]

Any suggestions on attractive (ceiling) vents other then usual big box store vents?

[@HomePerformance]

YES. stellarairdecorativeventcovers.com/

[@edgybarbie77]

@@HomePerformance These are crazy expensive. I would think most people couldn't spend $400 per vent to replace. Like I have 14 I want to replace

[@neilcomparetto5282]

The only way to improve on this genius design is to install an electronic damper to modulate the flow in each room. 😉

[@HomePerformance]

Good idea buddy boy

[@simonelacroix998]

I purchased these vents in advance for a home renovation to be done in stages, and would hate to have to sell/return them. What is the electronic damper?

[@alliemisinchuk2387]

Kul Grilles - can you do a test on those?

[@konserv]

I think, they might trying to play with thin laminar boundary layers to improve efficiently of the "grills".

[@ronpack4303]

Thanks for the great info. I have been looking for return air registers that are 4" deep for a 4" filter with a 14x20 opening for my home to reduce the input side restriction. Do you know who might have them or make them? Thanks.

[@HomePerformance]

Try Aprilaire- otherwise you can always make one- sheet metal shops are great

[@Fercho_G94]

What do you think if I install just this for the bathroom exhaust?

[@HomePerformance]

Why?

[@paladain55]

Would there be any benefit to not running registers say as if your home is perfectly balanced heating and cooling wise without them?

[@HomePerformance]

What in the world Paladain? Please talk more about that.

[@paladain55]

@@HomePerformance so the spec homes that most of us will buy come with a system that has the dampers on the main legs and adjustable registers at the end of each run in each room. the dampers at the end end up not being needed and are very restrictive (for me currently). Southern home so there are no return vents either, just the main return in the center of the home. But the thinking here is the reduction in pressure might help efficiency, and the other benefit is the reduction of pressure in the ducts at each run would reduce the pressure in each leg of the pipe possibly leading to less duct leakage. Of course the registers covers are just awful though and i don't plan to run gaping holes so i would find some sort of free flowing cover. Does that make sense what i'm saying theory wise? i would also add that spec homes don't come with sealed ducting, they will only be sealed if you go back after you purchase the home c and seal them yourself.

[@HomePerformance]

Couple things, P- it’s probably code where you live that ducts outside the enclosure must be sealed, so you could chase your builder for that. And registers and grilles only add an estimated 0.03” wc at most, basically a drop in the bucket. If you have a high SP problem, trying to fix it by removing grilles is like bailing out a boat with a coffee cup. I wouldn’t worry about it.

[@paladain55]

@@HomePerformance that's true this is why i asked. i'll have to look into code because they just assemble the ducts with sheet metal screws and some hvac tape here and there for some of the insulation. no sealing at all which is crazy. But we have verified it over and over again on every friend's house by different builders and even asking a friend who builds spec homes.

[@cellocovers3982]

The first time I saw one of these vents in the field I couldn't believe something like this is actually allowed by code.

[@melinam7216]

Fml .. not me just replacing almost all my vents with these 😂

[@abadialsharif8537]

What does Area Factor (AK) in mean?

[@HomePerformance]

The part of the grille that air can actually move thru

[@abadialsharif8537]

@@HomePerformance 10 * 4 * 0.058 = 2.32 sq.in while open free area in the web as you show it was 9 sq.in ! Am I missing something here ? Thanks for replying.

[@andymccormick5468]

Can you please compare to the performance of standard grills and not as if there was no grill at all?

[@HomePerformance]

Standard metal grilles have about 70% net free area, as stated in the video

[@srt4b]

Interesting, I installed these in a house had 23 registers, everything is the same. Seem to work the same as the old ones.

[@HomePerformance]

Hahaha wow, the old ones must have been so special

[@dorhocyn3]

Airplane taking off in every room!

[@HomePerformance]

Hey why not

[@davidhoover2446]

Those things look like junk anyway. In Florida usually we have the ones with vertical and horizontal adjustment and they are real good and inexpensive. They allow damper adjustment as well if you are a degree or two off in a room.

[@mpxz999]

It sounds like, while pretty, they're expensive and perform far worse than a plain jane $7 cover from the 90's. Thanks for saving me a costly mistake!

[@bertwhetstone3173]

Wait until Aria starts making throttle bodies!

[@lopaka79]

Run into the same thing with linear registers. These Aria registers are so much worse. What's crazy is watching all the non-pros install these things as a like for like solution. Bye-bye capacity, hello electric bill. Mold growth? Yes please. ESP? who needs it right? Maybe Aria big brained and thought "techs will love us for all the compressors we sacrificed to the liquid slug gods"

[@HomePerformance]

Yeah, that’s the main concern since they’re marketing via intagram. Well said.

[@williamsweet7511]

I'm that guy who argued with his wife about these registers. She through a fit and won. Now she's complaining that the rooms are hot blah blah blah. I wouldn't be so mad but these are 10 times the cost of regular vents/registers. Aria return policy is within 30 days and still in the box. They know once they are up in your house you are gonna hate it. Next time I'm not giving in to super bad ideas. PLEASE DO NOT BUY THESE STUPID NON-VENTS. THEY DON"T WORK

[@sergiopabon1387]

So aria created a solution for a problem that didn’t exist and in the process created a problem.

[@AlphaKennyBody2]

Aria vent on a mission to choke your furnace.

[@KPHVAC]

If your home only has 1 return air duct and grill that's a giant red flag! Most homes will need 2 return air ducts and grills. Ask your HVAC contractor to run a static pressure test! Most homes in my area have one return and high static pressure. You need good airflow for system performance and comfort!!

[@HomePerformance]

KP, too many !!!!!!! - my own home has one return, and it works perfectly as designed. I hear your concern, but it’s mostly about falling down on the job in planning, or testing, or both.

[@heidismith3399]

I have 5 returns. 3 in main house (800 sq ft with loft office). 2 in 444 sq ft guest house. Mitsubishi HyperHeat ducted units for each house. Keep units on low fan speed year round. Total electric house and bill averages $57 a month. Best of all perfect indoor humidity despite being on the water in the coastal southeast.

[@KPHVAC]

@@heidismith3399 Very nice, I love the Mitsubishi Hyper Heat systems!! We install a lot of them. Amazing heating performance in cold climates. They are fantastic systems.

[@KPHVAC]

@@HomePerformance If it's designed properly and sized properly then a single return is totally fine. I know you spent the time to size your ductwork properly but most homes aren't built like that.

[@Usonian7]

I see you got money for advertising but not testing huh... (Stewie Griffin "you got money for fake mustaches" scene lol)

[@HomePerformance]

To their credit, they DO post their numbers…

[@bigneilh]

i want to be your bestie :)