How To Install Ac Register Box In Ceiling

Disclosure: We may go commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

You might be enduring inadequate heating and cooling in your dwelling. One way to resolve this trouble is to have efficient return air ducts. But you might exist wondering how to go about its installation. You are on the right page! We have consulted the experts to deliver you the installation guides for your convenience.

To install a return air duct in your ceiling, you would need to determine outset if you need to install a new duct or tap into existing ductwork. Anyhow, hither are the steps:

Locate where yous intend to position the return air grilles.
Cutting a hole at the ceiling drywall and attach the plenum box.
Work on the render air ducts at the ceiling spaces.
Attach the duct to the outlet vent of the plenum box.
Install the air filter and attach the return air grilles.

Installing your return air duct isn't a daunting task. You don't need to be an HVAC expert to successfully finish the project. Stay on this folio as we discuss the relevance of return air in your home'due south HVAC system, the best places to install them, also equally the details of its installation.

Air condition in room, ceiling vent. How To Install a Return Air Duct In Your Ceiling

How to Install Return Air Ducts

The insulation procedure can be made simple. Just similar any other DIY project, be sure to wear protective clothing. Also, you will need your working tools such as a nail gun, drill, and electric saw. Here are the steps:

Determine the location of the return air grilles

Locate where y'all intend to position the grilles for return air. Then proceed to cut through and make a hole in the ceiling drywall. Be conscientious not to cut any pipes or wiring that run to a higher place the drywall. The hole should be in the infinite between the ceiling studs.

Be sure to have precise measurements of the grille dimensions. The ceiling pigsty should be smaller than the grille size. This is because vent grilles come up with screws or metal tabs for like shooting fish in a barrel mounting. The outlet grille should snugly fit the ceiling opening. Once the pigsty is cut, y'all can exam fit the grille.

Shop for this ceiling vent grille on Amazon.

There should be sufficient space above the ceiling pigsty for positioning the plenum box. Install the plenum box straight higher up the hole. The plenum box has its outlet vent where the return duct will exist fastened.

More oft, y'all may need to cut out pieces of framing lumber to support the plenum box at the ceiling infinite. The plenum box should be secured and tightly anchored to withstand clothing and tear and vibration of return airflow.

Shop for this ceiling box on Amazon.

Framed home installation of air conditioner and heating ductwork in ceiling a new home HVAC

Locate the render air ductwork

Return air ducts are normally positioned in the spaces above the ceiling. The ducts run through ceiling joists until it hovers in the expanse above the furnace. This is usually done during the construction phase. Nevertheless, you can still add or tap existing ductwork. Be sure to identify those ducts that deport render air to the furnace.

For return air, you can either apply flexible aluminum ducts or rigid metallic box-shaped ducts. For practical reasons, flex ducts are more commonly used than rigid metal ducts due to toll and ease of installation.

Shop for this flexible duct on Amazon.

Cheque out i of our previous posts on the utilise of flex ducts for return air: Can Y'all Apply Flex Ducts for Return Air?

Worker Installing an Attic Vent Duct

Install the Duct

Remove whatsoever insulation and other ceiling materials in the spaces between studs that run the route of the ductwork. Then position the new duct or connect information technology to existing ductwork. This could run across the ceiling, down the wall frames, crawl spaces, closet, laundry room, or toward the basement.

In this stage, you may need a metal bender tool, drive cleats, duct connectors, and metallic clamps. The new duct should be installed tightly at the lesser of the ceiling joists. You can as well insulate the duct with foil-faced wrap. Lastly, secure the duct to the ceiling joists with a hanger strap or saddle back up.

Shop for these steel duct clamps on Amazon.

Air-conditioning Ductwork and Pipework In Commercial Building Fitout

With aluminum duct collars, securely adhere the duct to the outlet vent of the plenum box. Additionally, seal all joints and seams with a duct sealant for maximum operation. With a caulking gun and paintbrush, you tin can exercise duct sealing to stop off your project.

Shop for these duct connectors on Amazon.

Install Air Filter

To complete your installation for return air, adhere your HVAC filter to the outlet grille. You may and then proceed to test run your installation.

Learn more than about air filters in this post: "How Many Air Filters Does a House Have? [And Where are Filters Located]"

Home Room Ceiling Ventilation. Modern Interior Air Vent

Why Return Air Ducts Are Important

Return ducts have go essential components of your home's air apportionment organisation. In a forced-air HVAC system, return ducts accept the important role of transporting the indoor air back to the furnace or the air handler unit. The siphoned air will so be circulated back to your living infinite through the supply ducts.

Without properly installed return air ducts, your home's air circulation is non at its maximum efficiency. Aside from giving you discomfort and even a health gamble, you lot might even feel an increase in your electricity bills. Over time, your home's heating and cooling organisation will eventually neglect.

In a nutshell, this is how air circulates in your home. Return air ducts ameliorate airflow and even reach the remote areas of your abode while at the same fourth dimension increasing the efficiency of the furnace.

Render air ducts can usually be found in joist spaces at the ceiling which is directed toward the furnace. With your DIY tools, you lot can install them without professional help.

Where Should Return Ducts exist Positioned

We list some helpful guides on the placement of return air ducts in your home.

ceiling mounted return ducts for centralized airconditioning units

Centralized Location

If yous have a home with multiple bedrooms and other living spaces, you lot need not have a render air duct in every room. Modern designs in duct systems have only one or ii return air ducts that tin effectively take care of the entire home.

Make sure that 1 or ii render air ducts are placed in a centralized location as possible.

Most the Thermostat

The dominion of pollex is to install the return duct as close as possible to the thermostat. This setup enables the thermostat to monitor the temperature that is circulated back to the furnace and onwards within your dwelling house. And typically, the thermostat is installed in a centralized location.

With the thermostat and return duct in a centralized location, the circulation and temperature readings are cogitating of every role of the house. Unfortunately, this setup isn't normally done due to restrictions in the overall home design.

Aye, return air is ideally placed about the thermostat! Check information technology out here: How Far Should A Thermostat Exist From Return Air or Furnace?

Across the Supply Vents

An effective setup, though not required, would be that the return air ducts are located across the supply vents. The latter is usually installed virtually windows and doors where heat generally enters your home.

The supply ducts are strategically installed to counter the heat loss or heat gain. When the return ducts are installed beyond, it will allow the system to siphon the air throughout the space.

To acquire more about air blowing through vents, nosotros have this post for you: "How Hot Should the Air from my Furnace Be?"

Not in Bathrooms and Kitchen

You should avoid placing return air ducts in bathrooms and kitchens. Of form, you would not want the foul odour and humidity of the bathroom to be circulating in the whole firm. Similarly, the cooking odors and wet from the kitchen are as well unpleasant to get with air circulation in your home.

A cooling vent register on the wall of a home, with lever. How To Install a Return Air Duct In Your Ceiling

Final Thoughts

Return air is essential for your home's air circulation. Installing return air ducts can enhance indoor air quality, lower energy bills, and ameliorate the efficiency of your furnace. Having one or two return air ducts is sufficient fifty-fifty if you have multiple bedrooms and living spaces.

It is recommended that yous position your return air vents nigh the thermostat if you lot take a centralized system. Too, information technology would be all-time if placed across the supply vents so that air volition circulate throughout the unabridged room. For practical reasons, never place return air vents in the bathroom and kitchen.

Brainstorm your installation by locating where you intend to place your outlet vents, whether you volition make a new duct or tap existing ductwork, and too what duct material to use. The installation steps can be some other DIY project. You don't need to be an HVAC expert!