[ICnyyankees23]

Hi all,
I’m redoing my basement; unfortunately, the previous owners already partially finished it awhile ago so I’m working with some existing, non-ideal structures, etc. and not starting from scratch.
There’s a bedroom in the basement that is completely isolated from the house’s HVAC system. The rest of the downstairs has 3 ceiling supplies and a large return. For the bedroom I was planning to run a new ceiling supply off the main trunk, but I’m unsure what to do for the return.
Some options I’ve come up with that I’d appreciate feedback on:

1. Forget the return and assume that the air will circulate into the main room (and its return) under the door
2. Simply run a short duct/vents through the wall so that air has an even easier path into the main space (would this even be worth it?)
3. The full shebang - run a duct off the return main trunk all the way across the room and down the exterior wall to near the floor (all of our returns are on the exterior wall, not sure why). I know this is probably the right way to do it and definitely the best if we were starting from square one, but I would need to cut through wall drywall, headers, and insulation to implement this. Is it really worth it?

TIA!

 

[surferdude2]

I wouldn't worry too much about the return air in that situation. Just be sure the door has 1" gap at the bottom (undecut if necessary) and it'll work well enough. I see little practical reason to spend the money and labor for such small returns (no pun intended).

The biggest problem with basements is the need for zoning since the demands are quite different than the upstairs at times. That's a whole different can of worms though.

 

[geenowalker]

My contractor did not install return in the basement bedroom claiming that the gaps would take care of it. The temp in that room was never right. The TV, PC and lights quickly heat up the space and the coldest of air would escape below the door. Do your self a favor and add the returns as well as wiring for control dampers.

Have an egress window in the bedroom?

 

[Old Thomas]

First choice is a return duct to the room. Failing that, undercut the door. Last choice is a transfer opening because it will let the most noise in.

 

[user_12345a]

Put a return grill on both sides of interior partition wall, for privacy they don't need to be directly in line.

Supply is more important than return for heating - the air from the room just needs a path back to the central return.

Most homes don't have a return in each room with a door, they use central - not optimal but it can work.