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    erne65's Avatar
    erne65 Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Dec 1, 2011, 05:23 PM
    Moving air return
    I recently purchased a new home. I am getting ready to do a little remodeling such as removing the wall between kitcen/living room and adding a closet in to other rooms. My problem is that all the walls I need to open up have air returns in them. What is the easist way to move these returns to a different location in the rooms?
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
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    #2

    Dec 1, 2011, 05:44 PM
    Are you on a slab, crawl or basement? If you have access under the floors, it's a fairly easy task. You relocate the duct and find a boot that you can cut in the plate and then the wall cavity. I don't like floor returns since they get covered with rugs and papers etc. You can buy any number of connectors and transitions as needed. Another solution found in some newer open flow homes is to install a large single wall return and close up the other ones. This only works with open spaces, not small rooms. We have a mountain cabin in N. GA and that is what we use, works great. Filter is 20X30 or there abouts.
    erne65's Avatar
    erne65 Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #3

    Dec 1, 2011, 06:40 PM
    I have an full unfinished basement so I have plenty of access. I'm very beginner with duct work... any advice you can give?
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
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    #4

    Dec 2, 2011, 09:06 AM
    Hey Erne65, make sure the wall you use for the return in opposite the supply side, that way you get good cross flow. Typically you would remove the baseboard, cut the required wall openings with a sawzall down to the floor, mark your opening corners in the floor with small locator holes, go down to the basement and cut the floor out. Make sure to try and cut the opening so that 1 side of the boot will be next to a stud. You should have a rectangular hole in the floor and wall. Slide the boot up through the floor/wall opening and secure it to the wall stud. Bend the end flanges around the wall opening to secure the boot. Now, connect the duct to the boot using appropriate fittings, screw the duct together and put duct sealing mastic around all the joints. Patch up the wall, put the baseboard back and put the register in. Screw the register to the wall stud and/or flanges you bent back. This is a moderate job but you can save a lot of money on the DIY. BTW, is the wall you are removing a bearing or non bearing wall?works out.
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