Learn about Cold Air Returns & Heat Runs - DIY

[@charlotteplante5402]

That is the best explanation and tutorial of cold air returns. I thought you needed metal ductwork. awesome

[@jlh5995]

Hey Construction Coach, thank you for taking the time and effort to produce this excellent tutorial and demonstration on the connecting a return to the main trunk.

[@alanmena8370]

Great video man . Thanks for the detailed explanation helped a lot

[@DavidDu0ng]

Thanks Coach!

[@melvinwillingham233]

In Georgia cold air return spaces has to be fire rated. which would be more expensive than what you are doing. We can’t just use sheetrock as a duct

[@billybowbob2071]

Love the editing! Spot on chaps! But seriously, this is the information that I've been looking for!

[@jayakrawe8339]

Do you have any idea what those metal angles that he installed around the top plates called??

[@billybowbob2071]

@@jayakrawe8339 no idea, but I need some! I would call them "duct installation angle"

[@dalygav]

exactly what I was looking for. Thx

[@mikeleo9720]

I saved a bunch of money with your help in this video! Great job man! Thanks!

[@JamesSpeirs]

This video was very helpful. Thank you.

[@youtubemakesmedothis7280]

Nice sleeves, dude! Lots of color.

[@ConstructionCoach]

Thanks, got to stay bright!

[@achidmb9625]

Very helpful. Very good teacher

[@rafaelmedrano6738]

Great video thanks!!!

[@ConstructionCoach]

Thanks for watching

[@JefeDog]

Some "genius" like this guy did my house in 2000. Even worse though, as my house has many areas where they didn't even put the thermopan. Frustrating to see people still doing this! Going to cost me $10k to resolve.

[@sr2291]

So is cold air supposed to be coming out of the return when the heater is off? Because its making it freezing in here. It feels like a window isnt shut all the way.

[@Nathan-ym5cr]

I dont know a whole lot about the hvacr trade but shouldn't you use a wiper or "squigee" as i've heard it called to get all the wrinkles out of the tape around the return 90.

[@jesusbautista7962]

Yeah you should

[@lvvry1855]

Shouldn't that outlet at 8:20 be higher to allow for a possible 6" baseboard?

[@ConstructionCoach]

The inspectors here like them on them down on the floor.

[@pdogakron1623]

I have several cold air returns in a row (all joist cavities taken) above my proposed basement bathroom. Can I put my fan here, or do I need to mount it on a wall?

[@ConstructionCoach]

Without seeing it I would say keep it out of the cold air returns. The fan unit it self would block air flow. I hope that helps

[@pdogakron1623]

@@ConstructionCoach Yes, thanks. I guess I'm building a soffit!

[@cannedham3774]

dope sleeves bro

[@StonefoxMedia]

what is the name of the pre-made metal part you use at the bottom all the air return

[@danielorr5784]

StonefoxMedia

[@loft006]

why does every room need a cold air return? I have a small house and floor boards have covered up two of my cold air returns now I have just one. My furnace has worked in two Minnesota winters so far without a problem. So again why do I need so many cold air returns?

[@chicagohandyman]

What kind of baseboard is going into this home?

[@NathanT87]

If I have a cold air return sitting near the floor can I move it to the top of the same wall?

[@ConstructionCoach]

They work best at the floor level.

[@NathanT87]

@@ConstructionCoach Thank you!

[@chodge8366]

guess no baseboard is being installed on the second return?

[@Sc00bings]

Haha when I saw him put it right to floor I though the same thing . He should have stated that if there's baseboard trim then bring the CAV off the ground according to baseboard trim and finished floor hight

[@strobaholic]

Ryan louden I’m willing to bet you the sheet rock guy moved it up.

[@friendshipandfamily5769]

Meh sometimes when you're trying to do a demonstration you overlook something like that. Very easy fix as the sheet rock crew will adjust. I highly doubt he always does this as he would have gotten straightened out after the first time. Besides focusing on that, hood video guys?

[@JohnMarshsplus]

Is it really necessary to have cold air returns in every room?

[@LDSKIPPER1911]

John Marsh nope...you can use a simple air pathway setup to prevent multiple air return vents

[@dianawinkler1657]

Also someone told us to put Saran Wrap over our cold air returns in the summer so that the air conditioner works better for cooling the rooms. But we had a cold night and I wanted to turn the furnace on I didn't but if I had what it it cause damage to my furnace

[@monteeggers9628]

Whoever told your that needs to have their head examined. You should never block a cold air return, especially when running the AC. If there’s not enough return air going back to the furnace, your evaporator coil could freeze up and bam! You’re furnace gets flooded with water and your condenser burns out from excessive running.

[@jayakrawe8339]

Hi can you please tell me what those angles you used for the return on the top Plate called?? And also is that a Load bearing wall you made the notch in?

[@ThanhNguyen-tl6ve]

why are those three duct takeoffs so close to each other ? at least 24" between takeoffs

[@tashawndaprice704]

Too much cold air coming from return vent and I have it covered with plastic to keep the room warmer. I haven't had any problems, but how do I balance cold/heat?

[@doumkatekz]

I have an attic in a bungalow where no heat and a/c gets up through the vents. I don't mean that it's just too hot or cold, but *nothing* comes up the vents. Previous resident just told me 'it doesn't work', yet well someone put vents up there for some reason. I talked to a local hvac company who just basically blew it off and said it wasn't fixable. Any ideas how I can trace things down? I learned about dampers and was looking at the ducts in the ceiling to figure it out. There is a dropped ceiling in one part of the basement that has me curious what's under and it needs to come out anyhow..hmm

[@GedStankus]

Not sure a return in the bathroom's a good idea or necessary. Could bring some foul air into rest of the house, no?

[@tcornettomaha]

It also has the ability to draw too much moisture into the ducts creating a mold concern. I must have somehow missed any mention of him putting one in a bathroom.

[@JamesSpeirs]

I believe he said early in the video that washrooms don't need it. The return at the end uses a washroom wall, but it doesn't open to the washroom, just the bedroom.

[@hazzardlobotomy7904]

new energy code in maryland disallows these joist and stud bay returns. must be sheet metal only due to duct air testing requirements. since 2012.

[@michaelpukmel9175]

Same here in Massachusetts. And even in NY years ago. Panning the bays sucks all the fine dust out of the walls and floors, and provides a lot of air resistance. Has to be fully ducted back to the trunk line.

[@tailzzzzz]

I have two litter boxes in my dining room. It has a register on the floor that blows air upward (not far from from the litter boxes) , and what I'm assuming is a return across the room, the BOTTOM of the plate starting about 6 inches off the floor. I NEVER find dust on my filters when I go to change them monthly. NEVER. So there is cat litter dust everywhere. And I mean everywhere. Is the return plate too low to the floor??? Is it sucking ANY air to clean the room? I find tar stains on the filter and that's about it. I've even waited 3 months to change the filter to see if there would be any dust on it. None. What did my builder do wrong? I can't keep up with the dust on my kitchen tile, adjacent the dining room. It even accumulates heavily on my hardwood hallway off the kitchen. I'm desperate. I'm 56 and have osteoporosis. I can't be on my hands and knees every week wiping floors down. Anybody???

[@dianawinkler1657]

My bedroom doesn't have a cold air return its the only room that doesn't. What does the mean for that room?

[@ConstructionCoach]

Not as much air flow.

[@sheetmetalwork]

Hi Diana, Typically there is gap underneath your door. The air entering your Bedroom will flow under and out to the nearest return air grille, rest assure that works just fine. If you don’t believe me, turn the system on, apply a bit of smoke at the bottom of the door and you will notice the flow.

[@hy3397]

should outside cold air be coming in thru the area where our furnace area is?

[@tashawndaprice704]

I have a 1920s house with two cold air returns. One return is L shaped, and has two dampers. Should both dampers be in the same position?

[@rjb6327]

My 46 yo home uses the joist system as a return air system. I have yet to get an answer to my question. Can I install return vents in all my bedrooms without causing any problems?

[@mattp4079]

yeah

[@SkyGuysQuest]

If hot air goes in the return can it cause the A/C to turn on?

[@michellemajako]

The A/C turns on when the thermostat measures a hotter temp. (ie putting a heater next to the thermostat in the hallway).

[@gardsumil9781]

need help, just found out my furnace return air is coming from the crawl space under the house. Any advice?thanks in advance

[@stubj6790]

All of it or just the supplemental fresh air intake? If it’s just the fresh air, just get some insulated flexible duct and extend it all the way to the exterior. If it’s all of it, that’s a huge problem and doesn’t sound like your house was ever to any sort of building code.

[@cantikanchi]

What if there is no ducted cold air return? My furnace is on the main level, in a closet in the bathroom. We experience the pressure changes, and push of cold air into the closet. Not sure what else to do. 560 square foot home with full unfinished basement. Would love to move furnace to basement.

[@Helmuesi911]

cantikanchi 560 ft house? I’d move.

[@gloriaadu5485]

what if you are living in an old house that don't have a cold air duck?

[@winningbiggly6419]

Build one

[@bipedalbob]

I lived n an old house that had only one, in the upper part of the wall in the hallway, with the furnace on the other side, never felt uncomfortable any where in the house, it was building the 50's , things were done differently then, some better,some worse, my suggestion , if it ain't broken don't fix it.

[@ralphfurley404]

Get a cold air goose

[@thejourneymen7722]

And yet another contractor that doesn't properly seal their joints with mastic.

[@cya3651]

HELP...... Basement finished couple of years ago and there are 3 cold air return vents in my basement. I just noticed that all 3 vents do not pull air at all so basement is very cold. The contractor uses an "insulated flexible duct" for the 3 cold air return duct tubing. The cold air return vents upstairs are working and have strong pulling force, but not the new ones in the basement ( tested with soft tissue and will suck the tissue against the vent when furnace is on). One of the cold air return duct for the basement is still visible in the furnace room so I followed it and removed the aluminum foil tape at the connection to make sure a hole was cut for the connection and yes there is a hole cut. I also double check the pathway at the wall by removing the cardboard down to the vent and its clear. Could the problem be the flexible duct tubing used or how many bents in the layout of the duct work? The size of the insulated duct used is the same size as the aluminum duct used originally. Thank you in advance.

[@knuckles1006]

Try a little experimenting. Temporarily close off all of the cold air returns except for one in the basement, and run the furnace in fan mode and see using your tissue how good of a draw that single return has. Do the same thing for the other two in your basement. To me it seems that the return ductwork is not connected to the furnace or are blocked on the way to the furnace.

[@martinliu4938]

My guy get impact driver

[@jimwise6901]

I have spent a better part of a month repairing duck work like this..the bulkhead that he put in is nothing but cardboard that deteriorates and does nothing but leak his work looks like it's going to leave before it's even turned on

[@truesneakerhead6424]

still bit confusing but seems cool

[@TeslaBoy123]

Metal grill touching concrete floor created corrosion after a couple of years plust no room for baseboard

[@pearlwsz7]

Cool tats bro

[@DeeInTheHouse]

...all your pre-made sheet metal accessories will offset the drywall...and your counting on your ceiling drywall to create a air tight seal between joists for your return channel, not a good practise

[@MrTEMTA]

Unfortunately, another ill educated future of our industry! SAD ISN'T IT?

[@vladklimovich5213]

I bought instruction from inplix and I build it very very cheap.

[@DogHairDontCare]

Return air at bottom of room? Why

[@ksalls02]

proper circulation of air. Cold return at the top of ceiling would pull the warm air that was just supplied.

[@bipedalbob]

@@ksalls02 if your going to have duct work in the top and bottom of the room anyway, why would you intentionality choose to fight the fact that warm air rises.

[@ralphfurley404]

It's in the wrong spot

[@russellschelles3337]

the second cold air return you installed creates a stacked set of cold air returns. This is a code violation!

[@hazzardlobotomy7904]

Russell Schelles the shitty cardboard joist cap is a code violation.

[@luisraposo872]

Not true you don't need a cold air return in every room

[@arnoldelgort2681]

This is why this trade is going to hell You have so called contractors/mechanics that do not know sh*t from shyowa about what they are doing.. I Being a licences contractor with a state licience, before a judge, they will lose every case and pay bigly $$$ There is too much resistance in all the fittings he has used Disgrace

[@MAGAMAN]

Do sleeve tattoos make people dumb, or are dumb people just attracted to sleeve tattoos?

[@aircooledtx]

Unless sealed will draw attic air. Poor design

[@lancerudy9934]

It is not cold air return. It is return air.

[@andyjackson1947]

So much more work go buy pipe and a sawzall

[@Bminer42]

🤣