Learn How to Add a Return Air Duct Yourself: The Four-Step Process [2024] Air & Energy of NWFL

While we always encourage homeowners to hire an HVAC system professional to install return ducts, it is possible to do it without help from an expert.

However, you must be a skilled technician to install return air vents. If you are unsure of your ability to install a new air return duct, call our return air vent technicians. Millions of homeowners strive to make their homes more energy-efficient. One of the best ways to accomplish an energy-efficient home is with a return air duct.

There are two types of air ducts you can install in your home. However, a return air duct system controls the airflow through your HVAC system, making it a vital part of your air conditioning system.

Supply ducts are responsible for pushing more air through your ac ventilation system into your rooms. Alternatively, an air return duct system transfers humid air from your room to your air handler. Therefore, the two ducts work together to create a comfortable atmosphere in your home.

Air & Energy of NWFL is a full-service HVAC company that provides energy-efficient solutions to Pensacola homeowners and business owners. We have decades of experience helping the Pensacola community install return ducts and hot air return grilles. Our team also helps thousands of homeowners by installing central air conditioning units and heating systems.

Below, we will outline how to add a return air duct to your home without professional help.

The first step of the air duct installation process is determining where you need to provide ductwork in your home. To find the best location for your ductwork, you must think about the route you want your air to take from your vents to your handler.

Air return vents properly circulate air coming from your home through your ceiling joists to your handler vents. Ideally, you want your transferred air to hover above your furnace or air handler vents. Then, you want this air to travel down your walls to your furnace.

Typically, you plan these duct routes during the construction of your home. If you know the constructor who designed your home, call them and ask about the ductwork configuration.

If you are adding to your home, you may need to reconfigure your return vent. Once you determine which ducts connect to your furnace and which do not, you can see if additional ductwork is necessary.

The next step of the air return vent process is creating vent holes for more airflow. When you determine what return ducts you want to use, measure the cubic feet of your vents.

When you cut holes in your return air vent, make sure not to make them too large. You will need some space to mount your cold air return vents to your walls. You can place your return duct on your wall using mounting screws.

Please note that you must be sure of your measurements before cutting your return duct holes. Making a mistake can cost you time and a lot of money. Also, it could damage your home's infrastructure.

If your square foot measurements are correct, cut through your drywall. Once you have an appropriately-sized vent hole, test it out to see if cool air flows in the right direction.

Now, it is time to install your return air ducts. Before you begin, remove the insulation disrupting your hot airflow path. Any obstacle in your air path will lower your system efficiency.

Then, you must connect the new ductwork to the duct system that returns air to your heating unit. We recommend consulting with an HVAC technician as there are many regulation codes that you must abide by before starting duct construction in your home.

These duct routes will move air pressure through your ceiling, walls, and basement. Your mission should be for air to flow through your entire system efficiently. Please note that you must account for corners in your air filter plan. Edges can disrupt your HVAC unit's airflow.

Air must have enough space to travel around the corners of your supply vent. During installation, make sure that you construct two different tubes that connect seamlessly at the edges of your return ducts.

The final step of the HVAC unit installation process is to install a return air duct in your basement or utility room. Because heat travels upward, most of your home's cool air resides in your basement. You want this conditioned air to travel to your master bedroom and other rooms through transfer grills.

Alternatively, you want to replace this cold air with warmer air in the winter. An air duct will help accomplish this heat gain. Your new air filter will eliminate bad air to make room for more warm, fresh air.

Your cooling system will transfer this air once installing a new return duct in your basement. Your air duct pulls air from your basement and pushes it through the supply side of your air conditioning unit. This air transfer makes for more comfortable temperatures in your home.

To install a new return air duct, you must locate the metal sheathing in your ceiling. You may need to remove some materials to find this sheathing. Once you spot the metal, cut a circle-shaped hole in it to make room for new ductwork.

A convenient thing about this metal sheathing is it contains tabs that you can unfurl to guide you while installing an air duct. Once you put your new ductwork in place, tighten the metal tabs. Doing so will make sure enough air is flowing through your air conditioner.

As mentioned above, we recommend hiring our professional technicians to install your return ducts. Our contractors are licensed and insured and have decades of experience installing HVAC units and ventilation systems. There is no problem too complex for our technicians to resolve.

We will ensure that your home is comfortable and free from carbon monoxide. Also, our technicians make sure that you have the proper duct size for your HVAC vents.

A common problem Pensacola homeowners encounter occurs when their return ducts pull too much air out of their rooms. When this happens, it creates negative pressure in your home. We can resolve this issue by fixing your supply ducts.

If you are unhappy with your existing ductwork, our professionals will help improve your air vents. We will ensure that your air vent carries enough air throughout your home seamlessly.

Air & Energy of NWFL technicians can help you lower your energy bills with our energy-efficient air duct installation service. Air conditioning in Pensacola is necessary to survive the harsh summers. We will inspect your existing ductwork and ensure it has enough static pressure to support an efficient HVAC system.

Our team will also tell you how to add a return air duct when you call our Pensacola FL, office at (850) 477-7101. We are available to take your emergency calls 24/7!

We are also happy to provide air duct cleaning services for our clients. Most issues homeowners have with their HVAC units stem from unmaintained HVAC ducts. After cleaning your cooling and heating system's ducts, you can start conserving more energy, lowering your utility bills.

This article was written by:

Sam Seeber

Co-founder and Home Comfort Specialist

Click here to connect with Sam on LinkedIn