Capping a return vent

brilizbell · 03-25-2010, 10:50 AM

I am removing a wall between the master bedroom and spare room, can I just "cap off" a return vent in that wall or does it have to be rerouted? The master bedroom already has a return vent.

brilizbell · 03-25-2010, 02:19 PM

I am planning on taking out a wall between our master bedroom and a spare room. It has a return air vent in it, can I just cap it off or do I need to reroute? The master bedroom already has a return vent in it.

2 threads on same issue merged
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**beenthere** · 03-25-2010, 04:21 PM

Since most homes are short on return to begin with. Its doubtful your system has enough return now.
So when you remove that wall. Either reroute the return, or have it as a floor return in the middle of the rooms.

brilizbell · 03-26-2010, 10:00 AM

I do know that we have a return in everyroom of the house, the bedrooms have one on floor, then one directly above about three inches from ceiling. Didn't they recommend high returns instead of floor location some years back? I think this is a previous owners attempt at that.

**beenthere** · 03-26-2010, 10:27 AM

High and low returns don't do what people think they do.

While you may have a return in every room. With the exception of the kitchen and bathrooms.

Doubtful you have near enough. Since often. Someone just put them in because they were told to. But never checked the amount of return they were getting.

A wall or floor return doesn't always return as much as a person thinks, because the rest of the duct is restrictive. So eliminating one. Just makes the return system as a whole more resistive yet.

Check the temp difference between your closest supply and return to the furnace. See how high it is.

03-25-2010, 10:50 AM	#1
brilizbell Newbie Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 3	Capping a return vent I am removing a wall between the master bedroom and spare room, can I just "cap off" a return vent in that wall or does it have to be rerouted? The master bedroom already has a return vent.

03-25-2010, 02:19 PM	#2
brilizbell Newbie Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 3	Capping a return vent I am planning on taking out a wall between our master bedroom and a spare room. It has a return air vent in it, can I just cap it off or do I need to reroute? The master bedroom already has a return vent in it. 2 threads on same issue merged Moderator

03-25-2010, 04:21 PM	#3
beenthere An old Tradesmen Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PA Posts: 19,045	Capping a return vent Since most homes are short on return to begin with. Its doubtful your system has enough return now. So when you remove that wall. Either reroute the return, or have it as a floor return in the middle of the rooms.

03-26-2010, 10:00 AM	#4
brilizbell Newbie Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 3	Capping a return vent I do know that we have a return in everyroom of the house, the bedrooms have one on floor, then one directly above about three inches from ceiling. Didn't they recommend high returns instead of floor location some years back? I think this is a previous owners attempt at that.

03-26-2010, 10:27 AM	#5
beenthere An old Tradesmen Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PA Posts: 19,045	Capping a return vent High and low returns don't do what people think they do. While you may have a return in every room. With the exception of the kitchen and bathrooms. Doubtful you have near enough. Since often. Someone just put them in because they were told to. But never checked the amount of return they were getting. A wall or floor return doesn't always return as much as a person thinks, because the rest of the duct is restrictive. So eliminating one. Just makes the return system as a whole more resistive yet. Check the temp difference between your closest supply and return to the furnace. See how high it is.

Capping a return vent