Air return makes too much noise, what should I do?

21596 Views 15 Replies 4 Participants Last post by bigburb, Jun 10, 2011

bigburb

Discussion Starter · Jun 3, 2011

I have a 4 ton AC system with 2 16x25 returns. One is located directly under the AC and is attached to the plenum, the other is located about 15 feet away and is attached via about a 10" duct. The closer one makes a lot of noise and catches most of the dust... the farther one has hardly any suction (I can usually go about 6 months b/t filter changes). I know I need to get more filter area somehow, I had three theories on what to do, but would like input:

1. Enlarge the current opening to 16x32, this would yield 175 sq in more intake space.
2. The chase directly under the plenum is on a hallway corner, I could install another 12x24 return grill on the adjacent wall that would yield 288 sq in. However I wasn't sure if it would be "aesthetically pleasing" to have a return on either side of a corner.
3. I can enlarge the return duct from the furthest chase to 12", I'm not sure if this would have enough effect to make a difference though.

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zootjeff

· #2 · Jun 3, 2011

bigburb said:
I have a 4 ton AC system with 2 16x25 returns. One is located directly under the AC and is attached to the plenum, the other is located about 15 feet away and is attached via about a 10" duct. The closer one makes a lot of noise and catches most of the dust... the farther one has hardly any suction (I can usually go about 6 months b/t filter changes). I know I need to get more filter area somehow, I had three theories on what to do, but would like input:

1. Enlarge the current opening to 16x32, this would yield 175 sq in more intake space.
2. The chase directly under the plenum is on a hallway corner, I could install another 12x24 return grill on the adjacent wall that would yield 288 sq in. However I wasn't sure if it would be "aesthetically pleasing" to have a return on either side of a corner.
3. I can enlarge the return duct from the furthest chase to 12", I'm not sure if this would have enough effect to make a difference though.

If you can fit a 4" thick filter (available at Fred Meyer, online, etc) That is one way to increase surface area.

Put in an inline filter above the furnace unit and toss the return register filters.

Best way to reduce sound is to turn corners in the duct work. Also putting 1" insulation on the inside of the plenum can help.

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