What Size are Return Ducts Usually

key1cc

You all hit the nail on the head.
At HVAC-Talk I've seen so many threads closed or edited because they don't allow pricing because it is NOT a DIY site. Then I see you post a comment indicating this site does not allow pricing becaue it IS a DIY site....

I assumed (incorrectly) that you were joking because many of us are members of that other site also.

Now that I know you were serious....it is even funnier if it is true

Talk about irony...

Key1

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In the land of the blind....the man with one eye is king....

key1cc

Ok I had my laugh...I guess I should try and contribute to the discussion.

To the OP (original poster),
I recomend you perform or have performed an ESP (external static pressure) test first since it sounds like you plan to make your system more restrictive. At least you will know where you stand and what you have to work with. If I were operating blind, I would make the supply duct work as large as possible and add dampers so I could make adjustments as needed. For return duct, I would also make it large and able to accomodate a large low restriction 5 inch media filter.

What size is your AC (in tons) and your coil (in tons) and your furnace (in btu's)? Where are you located?

Key1

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In the land of the blind....the man with one eye is king....

Termite

Funny as they may be to you key1cc, the pricing discussions are not welcome on this site. That's the decision of site administration and the mods therefore do not permit it. Discussions of what a contractor would charge to do work have no place on a site for DIYers, or at least this site.

Glad I could give you a good chuckle though.

key1cc

No offense KC. The rule itself is not funny it's just the irony of the DIY site and the non-DIY site having the same rule on pricing...
Key1

__________________
In the land of the blind....the man with one eye is king....

Termite

Hey at least we're consistent!

beenthere

ROFL

K.M.G

I don't see anything wrong with telling someone how much something should cost.

As if it's going to cost less to get a Pro in then you go and buy everything

K.M.G

How Would I be making the system more Restrictive???

Would I not be making it more Effective

Since now the Furnace has a Direct line to return the air instead of guessing

Would the Joist have to be cut to get the new line in

This is what I found when I removed the Vanity a hole in the floor and she this wall divides the Bathroom and hall way.

beenthere

There is no set, "it should cost".

Thats like saying your hourly wage should be $9.50 an hour to work asphalt, weather you live in Maui Hawaii or Smallville.

key1cc

Your first sentence in your first post you stated that you do not have any return ducts in your home. Yet if your system is operating you must be getting return air from somewhere. Maybe from the area the furnace is located in. We may be able to tell you more i f you post pics of your furnace set up. Let's assume for a second you are correct and you have no return ducts and your blower is simply pulling air from it's current location....then you add ducts and force that return air to travel though the return ducts around corners and up walls....you have just made the blower work harder to pull the same amount of air because now it has to overcome the resistance of the ductwork. Typically this is not a problem if the ducts are large enough to accomodate your airflow needs and your equipments airflow capability. Infact systems are designed this way (with returns throughout the house) because it helps to equalize temperature throughout the house...and yes if would be more "effective" as long as your static pressure is within specifications.
Key1

__________________
In the land of the blind....the man with one eye is king....

hvaclover

I lived In Smallville until I moved to a great metropolitan area and assumed the identity of a mild mannered hvac tech who.. ah crap...my meds are wearing off again

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Just slow, not stupid.

beenthere

LOL...

hvaclover

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Just slow, not stupid.

K.M.G

Here's pictures of the Furnace setup






This is Where that hole in the bathroom is I'm talking about^^^Right above this





If you need pictures of some component of the furnace let me know please

So my furnace set up is not to have ""Physical"" Returns but rather then one big return right

beenthere

You have panned joist. A common method.
You a return trunk. And the joist are panned back to it for the returns.