What you’ll pay in Houston, Texas, for furnace repairs depends on many factors. Here’s a breakdown of what can go wrong and the cost to fix those issues.
Mel S.
Very knowledgeable-excellent job on installing new AC - highly recommend
Excel AirHow Many Return Vents Does My Home Need?
Let’s remove the air of mystery around return vents
Photo: photovs / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Photo: photovs / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images
Highlights
A return vent helps ensure proper air circulation in your home.
While one per room is standard, you may need more depending on your home size and HVAC system type.
Installing additional return vents costs $350 per vent on average.
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Return vents are an important part of your HVAC system, as they allow air to travel from room to room, keeping your home temperature, air pressure, and air quality up to standard. However, adding too many return vents can be costly and cause damage to your home, so you want to ensure you get the right number without going overboard. This guide will help you determine how many return vents you’ll need for your home to ensure your HVAC system works well.
What Is a Return Vent?
Return vents are visible parts of your HVAC system, recognizable as the grilles on your home's wall, floor, or ceiling. Their purpose is to bring air back to the heating and cooling system. Return vents are critical for effective air circulation, and a lack of return vents can cause hot or cold spots, duct leaks, and poor airflow.
Return Vents vs. Supply Vents
The difference between a return vent versus a supply vent is the direction in which the air flows. Supply vents push cooled or heated air into the room, and return vents draw it back into the HVAC system.
How Many Return Vents Do I Need?
Photo: Penpak Ngamsathain / Moment / Getty Images
The standard number of return vents is one per room to ensure that each room is properly vented and has access to your home's HVAC system. However, there are a few things to consider when determining the number of vents you need.
Pro Tip
Quality ductwork will increase the efficiency of your HVAC, sometimes by 20% to 30%. This is because there is reduced air leakage due to better insulation and more optimized airflow. This means your HVAC doesn't have to work as hard to keep the desired temperature, so it uses less energy.
Room Size
The general consensus among professionals is one return vent for every 100 to 150 feet of living space to ensure optimal airflow in your home. This covers most room sizes, but if you’d be more comfortable with another return vent for larger rooms, strategically place them so they have enough space to work effectively.
HVAC System
The type and age of your HVAC system are important factors when deciding on the number of return vents. High-velocity HVACs, for example, operate more effectively with multiple, smaller vents that help them capture more air in a room.
Location in the Room
Your return vent location should reflect the temperature system it connects to. Cool air is lower to the ground, so if your return vents affect the cooling system, they should be placed lower on the wall or floor. Warm air return vents are often placed near the ceiling to gather rising warm air.
If your return vents connect to heating and cooling, place them in a strategic location that provides a balance. This may result in multiple return vents to account for the fluctuating temperature.
Cost to Install Return Vents
The cost to install a return vent can range from $250 to $500, with the average homeowner paying $350 per vent. The cost can be impacted by the kind of ductwork in your home, the size of the return vent, and the labor involved with installation. There are also add-ons to help make your return vents more effective, such as duct cleaning, adding duct insulation, and getting rid of any asbestos or mold that may have accumulated throughout the project.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Most homeowners don’t have the HVAC experience necessary to install return ductwork. This project involves cutting drywall and ductwork while considering placement and sizing to help the air circulate in your home effectively. While doing it yourself may save you the labor costs of $5 to $10 per linear foot, improper work can cause much more costly damage. A local duct installer can handle the job and ensure you have enough return vents for adequate air circulation.
Heating and air conditioning services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Houston, TX
4.4★ avg. • 63 total reviews
- Excel Air
- Zaid S.
Miguel is very knowledgeable and troubleshooted the AC issue.
Aire Serv of River Oaks - Gary B.
Air Texas had to help design the coils for a one of a kind unit that supplies fresh air to hallway for 20 floors. There were a couple of fair add ons to fix ductwork that joined the unit to the hallways but the project came in on budget and on time. 2016 Main Condominiums, Gary Bernard/GM
- Jerry B.
First visit from an installer rather than a salesman, resulting in a credible no-nonsense presentation . That set the tone for the whole installation, done professionally, filled with explanations and response to questions. The compulsively neat crew left the site in fine condition. All went...
- Jose S.
They replaced my 17 year old Carrier with a brand new one, and they were less expensive (AC is never cheap) that other bidders that were offering less trustworthy equipment. Did the whole job in one day as promised.
Air Specialist Heating and Air Conditioning Co. - Sally T.
Came out same day and got A/C running. Great.
Big Texas Comfort - Carolyn G.
The BVS technician showed up and did his inspection, but when he was done he did nothing but criticize my A/C and furnace, even though he was not here to inspect or service the furnace. He never looked me in the eye when he was telling me about all of the alleged "problems" that he "found". ...
BVS Home Experts - Carolyn G.
After reading all of their good reviews on Angie's List, I am hoping that All Star will be my go-to for A/C & Heating. Last year I was told by another company that my 20 year old furnace was "old" and that it should be replaced this year and it would cost around $6,000 to replace it. I...
All Star A/C & Heating Services - John T.
Called Southern Plumbing Services and spoke with (David) who sent over (Chris) to unclog my upstairs bathroom sink drain. The bathtub drain was fine, just the sink was clogged. Turns out, my 2-story house is built with the attic air conditioning receptor draining into the same sink drain. I...
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