Thread: Return Air

Do you remove the return air vent covers and how often do you see stuff like this. This is the MO of HVAC contractors in this area.

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Originally Posted by mathew stouffer

Do you remove the return air vent covers

I always made it a practice to shine my flashlight into them and see that they were lined with duct board and that all joints were sealed, if not, I would try to remove the cover for a better look.

and how often do you see stuff like this. This is the MO of HVAC contractors in this area.

When they were not lined with duct board (as required - must be a suitably approved duct material) I would find what you find found quite often - except for the hole cut into the floor as most of my homes were on slabs).

This one in particular was a real mess. There was an opening in the bottom into the utility room. Romex, plumbing supply and waste lines and fire suppression equipment were also running through the space. Oh yeah and the old drywall laying in the duct.