I am a residential homeowner and I just moved into a new place in December. My home inspector pointed out that the house didn't have any high cold air return on the upper level, and he hinted at the fact that cooling in the summer may be a problem upstairs.
While in the basement recently, I noticed that there was a cold air return run that enters an internal wall, but doesn't have a corresponding register on either of the main floor or second floors. i.e. There is no cold air register on the main or upstairs levels which would attach to this "mystery" return (all others are accounted for).
The home is 13 years old and I've noticed that some of the returns and vents don't necessarily use duct work behind the walls (i.e. they just use the space between studs as a duct, no actual duct work).
My question is, would it be possible that the "mystery" cold air return simply uses the cavity between studs as a run to the second floor? If this is the case, I suppose it's possible the builder just forgot to cut a hole and install the register? And all I would need to do is install a high return vent between the appropriate studs?
The home is 1800 sqft and there is 1 low cold air return upstairs, 2 cold air returns on the main floor and 1 high cold air return in the basement.
Any help is appreciated.
Every floor should have at least one return air, and a good builder would install them in all the bedrooms. Joist lining floor joists or wall studs is the standard when installing return air in residential new construction. It's possible the rough-in installer forgot to install the return air frame upstairs, and then the drywall installer covered the intended area not knowing it was a return air. I would play some loud music on my phone and place the phone in the basement inside the return air cavity leading up. You should be able to pinpoint the area upstairs. Without a return air frame you will have to use drywall anchors to secure the return air grill to the wall.
Thanks, that would make a lot of sense given the "mystery" return. I'm just hoping if I cut a hole for the grill there will already be a hole cut in the transition from the first floor to the second floor. Or will this already be opened up?
I suppose I could just feed a measuring tape down the wall and see how far it reaches to verify there are no obstructions. Or perhaps just stick my head through the newly cut hole :p
That's a good idea to check with the tape measure, but it should be clear.