Do you need a return in every room?

Author: Corine Gottlieb  |  Last update: Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Instead, there should be at least one return vent in every room, with two or three being ideal. If your house has only one return vent, this is not a problem — make sure to keep the doors open in every room so the air can circulate properly. Make sure there are no furniture, draperies, rugs, etc. blocking return vents.

Should every room have a return?

Does Every Room Need Air Return Grilles? While it is a myth that air return grilles are required in each and every room in the house, it is definitely necessary to have more than one of these grilles installed at strategic places in the house. The most important place to have these would be the bedroom.

What happens if there is no air return in a room?

Not enough return air in summer can cause rooms close to the central unit to be cooler and those farther from it to be warmer. In winter, rooms farther from the furnace can be too cool. An improperly sized return duct is one of the most common reasons for this (another being an AC or furnace issue).

How many returns do I need in my house?

One per room is ideal, but placing two or three in central locations can provide enough air circulation to maximize the energy efficiency of your HVAC and optimize indoor air quality, so your family stays healthy. If your home has multiple stories, you should have at least one return air vent per floor.

Does every room need a vent?

While all rooms in your home need some form of ventilation to refresh the air, building regulations for new homes specify that mechanical ventilation is required in bathrooms, kitchens, and WCs.

HVAC Return Vent ISSUES! DO NOT Locate Return Vents HERE!

How many return vents should a house have?

Instead, there should be at least one return vent in every room, with two or three being ideal. If your house has only one return vent, this is not a problem — make sure to keep the doors open in every room so the air can circulate properly. Make sure there are no furniture, draperies, rugs, etc. blocking return vents.

What are the symptoms of not enough return air?

Symptoms include weak airflow and uneven cooling or heating throughout your home, with some rooms feeling much cooler or warmer than others. Homeowners should regularly check vents for consistent airflow. If you notice a significant drop in air pressure or uneven temperatures, it could indicate return air issues.

What are the rules for return air ducts?

1. Openings shall not be located less than 10 feet (3048 mm) measured in any direction from an open combustion chamber or draft hood of another appliance located in the same room or space. 2. Return air shall not be taken from a hazardous or insanitary location or a refrigeration room as defined in this code.

How many returns should a 1500 sq ft house have?

However, most HVAC contractors use a rule of thumb to determine the number of air vents needed. For example, for a standard residential HVAC unit, you'll generally need one supply vent and one return vent for every 100 to 150 square feet of living space.

Can you have too many cold air returns?

Can You Have Too Much Return Air? Too much return air coming through your system isn't much of an issue because the fans and ductwork working to get that air back into the system only pull with so much force to make the HVAC system work correctly.

How should return vents be in summer?

Hot air rises and cool air sinks. Therefore, opening the right return vents in the summer and winter significantly improves the distribution of air by your forced-air system. You'll also enjoy more even heating and cooling throughout your home. In the summer, open your high returns and close the low ones.

Can return air be in a closet?

The other was that closets are a source of contaminants and therefore return air should not come from closets.

Should you cover a vent with a bed?

We've seen how it can create safety hazards, mess with your home's heating and cooling, and even damage your bed. Blocked vents can cause fire risks, poor air quality, uneven temperatures, and moisture buildup. Instead of covering vents, try rearranging your furniture or using vent deflectors to direct airflow.

Where is the best place to put return air vents?

To maintain an even temperature throughout the room, return air vents should ideally be positioned higher on the walls or near the ceiling to capture the rising warm air effectively.

Do return air vents go up or down?

When it comes to cooling your home, return vents are best installed near the ceiling so they can draw in any hot air that has risen. Supply vents should also be placed high on the wall for better distribution of cold air throughout the room.

Do you need cold air return on every floor?

It is recommended that your home have several air return vents (also known as "air intakes," "cold air returns"). Ideally, you should have one in every room. The more the better!

Can you live in a 500 sq ft house?

Over 60% of Americans say they would consider living in a tiny house with lofts, bedrooms, bathrooms, and fewer square feet. If you're intrigued by the minimalist lifestyle or simply curious about maximizing small spaces, a 500 sq ft tiny house with lofts, bedrooms, and outdoor living might just be your next big move.

How many bedrooms should a 2000 sq ft house have?

The number of bedrooms largely depends on how many people live in the home. For the average family in 2021, three bedrooms will be enough space. However, this may change if you and your partner are “empty nesters” or have small children now who will eventually need their rooms later.

Is 400 square feet small for a house?

Yes, with the proper setup and a little creativity, a 400-square-foot apartment is definitely livable. You probably won't have any extra space to play around with, but you can enjoy a bedroom, kitchen area, and some kind of living space without much difficulty.

How do you know if you don't have enough return air?

Low airflow can make your ears hurt in one room compared to another. Use a barometer to measure the pressure in the kitchen, living room, bedroom, and other rooms in the house. If you notice different pressure measurements throughout the house, this is a sign there's not enough return air.

What is the code for return air?

Return air openings for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems shall comply with all of the following: Openings shall not be located less than 10 feet (3048 mm) measured in any direction from an open combustion chamber or draft hood of another appliance located in the same room or space.

Can I close off a return vent?

You should never close your HVAC return vents, but supply vents can be adjusted to improve home comfort. In this blog, the trained professionals at Damiani's Comfort Design explain the strategy behind opening your supply vents and the dangers of keeping your return vents closed.

What happens if HVAC return is too small?

If the return duct is too small or there are an inadequate number of return grilles, your HVAC system won't be able to return enough air to recirculate into the system. Again, it's like if you were breathing in through a straw while jogging.

Does oversizing a return air system cause problems?

Due in large part to the short cycling issues mentioned above, components on an oversized heating and/or air conditioning systems are more likely to fail sooner than those on a properly sized system. As a result, you may end up having to replace your HVAC system sooner than expected.

Will adding a return improve airflow?

The Secret to Comfort is Balanced Airflow

The current Supply Air vent pressurizes the room, until (in many instances) the pressure inside the room slows the airflow coming from the Supply Air vent! When we install the Return Air vent, the pressure is alleviated. The Return Air vent balances the Supply Air vent.

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