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Re: Duct Work and Air Returns

From: knight3035@charter.net
Category: Other/Misc
Remote Name: 24.171.104.92
Date: 29 Oct 2005
Time: 09:33 AM

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Question: How do I know if my HVAC air returns are large enough? I have excessive amounts of dust on furniture and wall areas. I dust daily and I use hyperallergenic filters. It is a cool time of the year and all windows and doors are shut except on entering and exiting. This does happen year round. The house is 20 years old. Could I possibly need my ductwork cleaned?

Builders Websource® Answer: The first thing to check is the condition of your existing air filters. These require cleaning and/or replacement every few months, particularly if you circulate air year round (such as heating and air conditioning cycles). Assuming your filters are in good shape, it's possible that your ducts and/or furnace/fan may require cleaning. If you have carpeting, pets, or live in a dusty area, the infiltration may be coming from these sources. Tile and hardwood floors eliminate dust from carpet fibers. To determine whether your return air ducts are properly sized, consult an HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) contractor in your area who can make some measurements to confirm system is sized properly and running at peak performance. If your air return is blocked, dirty, or the return duct is restricted in some way, this could be affecting the air flow.

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