"Ask Adam" Adam has been in the HVAC industry for over 40 years. He has been involved in all aspects of the business from service to sales. His main interest is in customer comfort. What is a Central Return? Adam Kern, Owner Official Heating & Cooling In a perfectly designed duct system, the supply and return ducts are equally balanced. However, in the vast majority of homes the CFM's (air flow) are usually less on the return side. Many subdivisions have homes with only one return called a central return. They are usually located in a hallway or sidewall if the furnace is in a closet. The problem with this type of system is that the house is usually not very comfortable, especially if the interior doors are kept closed. This type of ductwork along with closed doors may result in a very unbalanced and noisy system. Side effects: Noise - central returns usually are very loud. Rooms are not heated or cooled evenly. Fireplaces can backdraft and bring in soot and fireplace odors. Home is always dusty. Infiltration causes utility bills to be higher. Solutions: Adding bypass grilles in doors or walls. Adding jumper ducts via attic or crawl. Adding additional return ducts. If you have any comfort issues please give us a call for a FREE in home evaluation. If you have any HVAC questions, call me direct at 815-404-4634 or email adam@officialhvac.com Lexie says. Zoning provides room by room custom comfort. Élimiate chilly rooms. Call today! OFFICIAL Heating & Cooling 800-350-HVAC (4822) officialhvac.com FACTORY AUTHORZED DEALER PES AKD NATE Carrier 3 Time Honoree CIAN A+ tum to the experts "Ask Adam" Adam has been in the HVAC industry for over 40 years. He has been involved in all aspects of the business from service to sales. His main interest is in customer comfort. What is a Central Return? Adam Kern, Owner Official Heating & Cooling In a perfectly designed duct system, the supply and return ducts are equally balanced. However, in the vast majority of homes the CFM's (air flow) are usually less on the return side. Many subdivisions have homes with only one return called a central return. They are usually located in a hallway or sidewall if the furnace is in a closet. The problem with this type of system is that the house is usually not very comfortable, especially if the interior doors are kept closed. This type of ductwork along with closed doors may result in a very unbalanced and noisy system. Side effects: Noise - central returns usually are very loud. Rooms are not heated or cooled evenly. Fireplaces can backdraft and bring in soot and fireplace odors. Home is always dusty. Infiltration causes utility bills to be higher. Solutions: Adding bypass grilles in doors or walls. Adding jumper ducts via attic or crawl. Adding additional return ducts. If you have any comfort issues please give us a call for a FREE in home evaluation. If you have any HVAC questions, call me direct at 815-404-4634 or email adam@officialhvac.com Lexie says. Zoning provides room by room custom comfort. Élimiate chilly rooms. Call today! OFFICIAL Heating & Cooling 800-350-HVAC (4822) officialhvac.com FACTORY AUTHORZED DEALER PES AKD NATE Carrier 3 Time Honoree CIAN A+ tum to the experts