How to make sure return is working
#1
Member
Thread Starter
How to make sure return is working
Hi all,
We recently had a new addition built on our house and part of the project was to get a new heating/AC system.
We got a 5 ton electric heat pump (with electric back up, etc.) The air handler is in the attic.
The subcontractor that my contractor hired is kind of a rookie (I actually think this may be his 1st big project). He's made a lot of mistakes along the way, but has come back and fixed them. He installed the entire system, duct work and all.
This is a 2 floor home and he has it zoned with 1 zone upstairs and 1 down.
When he initially installed the system, he only had 1 return for the entire house which was upstairs. It is pretty big, but when the inspector came for the rough ins, he told him to put 2 more down stairs.
So he finally put the 2 in down stairs, but they are pulling in absolutely zero air! If I run the system on full blast, I cannot get either of the two downstairs, to even pull up a tissue. (You know if I hold a tissue up to the screen).
I checked in the attic and both these returns appear to be connected.
But should I be complaining here? Should my returns at least be able to pull up a tissue? I think this somewhat proves that the returns are not moving any air.
By the way, the one up stairs pulls so hard that it pulls my doors shut!
We recently had a new addition built on our house and part of the project was to get a new heating/AC system.
We got a 5 ton electric heat pump (with electric back up, etc.) The air handler is in the attic.
The subcontractor that my contractor hired is kind of a rookie (I actually think this may be his 1st big project). He's made a lot of mistakes along the way, but has come back and fixed them. He installed the entire system, duct work and all.
This is a 2 floor home and he has it zoned with 1 zone upstairs and 1 down.
When he initially installed the system, he only had 1 return for the entire house which was upstairs. It is pretty big, but when the inspector came for the rough ins, he told him to put 2 more down stairs.
So he finally put the 2 in down stairs, but they are pulling in absolutely zero air! If I run the system on full blast, I cannot get either of the two downstairs, to even pull up a tissue. (You know if I hold a tissue up to the screen).
I checked in the attic and both these returns appear to be connected.
But should I be complaining here? Should my returns at least be able to pull up a tissue? I think this somewhat proves that the returns are not moving any air.
By the way, the one up stairs pulls so hard that it pulls my doors shut!
#2
To positively test for more flow..... lay a piece of paper or cardboard over main return grill.
Now check the downstairs returns.
You can use a match or smoldering piece of paper too.
Run system in fan on mode when restricting airflow.
Now check the downstairs returns.
You can use a match or smoldering piece of paper too.
Run system in fan on mode when restricting airflow.
carlg
voted this post useful.