Do I Need Filters In My Return Vents

Air filters or not something that you call back about on a daily footing. However, they are important to your overall indoor air quality and the health of your heat pump system.

One of the questions we are asked a lot is, "Should you put filters in your return vents?" Yep, air filters are an important role of your heat pump organisation. The air filter helps to keep your indoor air make clean by removing airborne contaminants, like allergens, from the air. The air filter too serves as protective equipment that protects the evaporator coil inside the heat pump from becoming dirty, which can crusade longterm impairment to the rut pump.

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If you run your estrus pump organisation without an air filter, dust, dirt and other droppings will collect on the evaporator gyre inside the heat pump. During operation of the heat pump, condensation develops on the evaporator coil. This condensation is office of the estrus exchange process and has to bleed away from the oestrus pump.

If your evaporator scroll is dirty, this clay and debris gets trapped in the condensation and can clog your discharge pipe. If the discharge pipe becomes chock-full, condensation can non menstruation properly and could back up causing your heat pump to finish working, or worse could cause water harm to your home.

Now that yous know that you need an air filter, allow's examine why return air vents need filters, what type of filter you need, and if every room needs a return vent.

If you lot've ever thought, I'll just run my heat pump without an air filter, don't. It's not recommended. You can do real damage to your estrus pump. Come across our commodity Can Y'all Run a Heat Pump Without an Air Filter.

Which Vent is the Render Vent

In most oestrus pump setups, the return air vent will be located near your home's thermostat. The thermostat should be located as close to the middle of the infinite as possible to create a balanced system.

The return air vent will be located on the wall, in the ceiling, or in the flooring on some older homes. The return air vent is generally much larger than the supply vents located in your floor ceiling. This is because you usually only have ane return air vent per thermostat.

If you accept a multi-zone system, yous have one rut pump being controlled past two thermostats. The 2 thermostat control damper doors positioned within the ductwork that open and close based on demand. In a multi-zone organization you'll have two thermostats with one air return vent for each thermostat.

If you were nevertheless unsure as to which vet is your return vent, there is a uncomplicated task yous tin practise to assistance you brand that decision. It'due south called the tissue test. With the estrus pump on, utilise a slice of tissue and identify it up next to the vent. If the tissue blows away from the vet this is a supply vent. Notwithstanding, if the tissue is fatigued inward towards the vent this is the return vent. This is what you're looking for.

Why is the Return Air Vent Near the Thermostat

The render air vent is by and large located within 10 feet of the thermostat. The return air vent is located virtually the thermostat so that the air drawing into the heat pump organisation closely matches the temperature displayed on the thermostat.

The thermostat is reading the ambience temperature of the space. Thethermostat is directing the functioning of the heat pump. Estrus pumps volition generally look to obtain a xv-20 degree temperature differential. The render drawing into the heat pump needs to match the ambience temperature for proper performance.

The return air vent comes in a diversity of shapes and sizes but most are bigger than the supply air registers. The size of your render air vent is in direct correlation to how much return air your oestrus pump needs. Here are some common sizes for return air vents:

What Type of Air Filter Do I Need

The MERV rating on air filters stands for Minimal Efficiency Reporting Value. The MERV rating starts at 1 which is depression-efficiency up to xvi for high-efficiency. Most air filters will take a MERV rating printed on its packaging. If no rating is present it should exist causeless that information technology'due south a low-efficiency air filter.

Air filters with a MERV rating of 13-16 are high-efficiency air filters that are not suitable for some standard heat pumps. Air filters with a Merv rating of 8-12 are a great selection because they are suitable for virtually rut pumps and will do a corking job at capturing a wide array of airborne contaminates.

Here are the 4 common types of air filters. They are:

Disposable flat fiberglass: these air filters typically have a MERV rating of iv or less. They are inexpensive and are generally replaced every thirty days. These air filters are not recommended unless you are simply concerned past price.
Disposable pleated filters: These air filters Are available in a variety of MERV rating from 4-12. These filters will typically very in price based on the MERV rating and how many contaminants the air filter will capture. These air filters are typically used for a menstruum of 30 to 90 days.
Electrostatic filters: electrostatic air filters are interesting in that they can be either disposable or permanent. Permanent electrostatic air filters are washable and can last up to eight years. Electrostatic air filters you static electricity that charges the textile causing air contaminants to stick to the fibers. Plated dispensable filters are also considered to be electro static filters and actually get more effective equally they age because of the build upwards of particles which helps block more particles. The opposite is true with washable electrostatic filters because as a builder occurs on the filter to filter becomes less constructive.
High-efficiency pleated air (HEPA) filters: HEPA filters are thicker than the air filters that are installed at the air return. These are generally located inside the ductwork. Since these air filters are somewhat harder to maintain, it is by and large recommended practise you have your heat pump on my service contract.

Does Every Room Need a Render Vent

No, every room does non demand to return vent. In most modern homes you would only have one return air vent. However in some older homes, it is common to have a render air vent and a supply air vent in each room.

If you own an older home that has return air vents in each room, you likely have a central location where the air filter is installed that is closer to the heat pump organization. Most estrus pump systems (especially split systems) will take a filter slot at the stop tag where the air return duct connects to the air handler. This is likely where your air filter is located

For more data on irresolute your air filter meet our commodity How to Locate & Supervene upon Your Heat Pump Filter: Step-by-Stride Guide. This stride by stride guide volition help you locate and change your air filter quickly.

Can I Block the Return Vent?

Most people find the return air vent to be unattractive and will ask if they hide the return air vent with furniture or a picture. No, The return air vent is a very important component to your heat pump system and cannot be obstructed. If y'all block the return air vent it can prevent your oestrus pump system from working properly. The heat pump organisation needs the return air in guild to blow air through the vents.

The way a heat pump works, the blower fan turns on and draws air through the render across the evaporator coil and then out the supply ducts. Without the render air flowing freely, you will have footling to no airflow from your vents. This volition create a strain on your heat pump system which could crusade mechanical failure overtime.

If they return air vent is unattractive to you, you tin purchase decorative grills that can ameliorate the appearance with out obstructing the flow of air through the return air vent.

In Closing

Maintaining your air filter and return air vent will become along way to making your oestrus pump last for many years. Heat pumps that have been kept clean and well maintained can last up to 20 years or more.

The heat pump system as one of the almost expensive mechanical components inside your home. It'south too a system y'all exercise don't want to neglect when y'all demand it most. Information technology only makes sense to ensure that your estrus pump system is well maintained and running smoothly.

If you demand, set a monthly reminder on your telephone to alert yous when to check and change your air filters every bit needed. Purchase several air filters and keep them on hand so that when it'southward time to supercede it you can do and so in an example.

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