How to Remove Return Air Grille
I will show you how to remove return air grille. This is important if your unit has been installed improperly and the exhaust venting is not functional. The first step is to find the screws on either side of the grille and unscrew them, but only enough so that they can be pulled out.
To remove the grille, unscrew the screws on one side and then pull the grille straight up. Be careful, as the grille may have sharp edges that could hurt someone or damage something else around the area. Repeat this process on the other side.
Once you have removed the broken glass, use a vacuum cleaner with a nozzle attachment and an extension tube to remove any particles around the area before proceeding.
Step by Step Guide on How to Remove Return Air Grille
Step One:
To find the return air opening, you’ll need to remove the floorboard or a wall in the room. You may also need to remove any furniture or items that could get in the way.
Step Two:
You need to figure out what type of system you have for your home’s heating and cooling. If you have a forced-air system, you will likely have an air-handler in that return air opening. If this is the case, you can skip step three. If your home does not have a forced-air system, you will know if you do not see any ducts. This means that your heating and cooling are likely provided by hot water or steam, which can be found by searching for a boiler or furnace.
Step Three:
If you have a forced-air system, you will need to remove the front panel of your air handler. This can be done by removing screws around the panel and sliding it off. If your return air opening is not accessible from this point then follow step 4 and 5. If your return air opening is accessible from here, there is no need to follow steps 4 and 5.
Step Four:
If you need to clean your furnace or boiler, you will need to remove the supply plenum. The plenum is the junction box where the supply ducts meet. To remove the plenum, you will need to unscrew it from its compartment and disconnect any wires attached to it.
Step Five:
If your return air opening cannot be reached from step three, you will need to follow this step and four for both the furnace/boiler and the air handler.
Step Six:
Start by removing all visible screws around the perimeter of the grille until it is completely loose. Depending on your reach, you may need to stand on a ladder or use a screwdriver to remove the screws. Once the grille is loose, you can proceed to removing any obstructions in your return air opening.
To remove the grille, start by unscrewing all of the visible screws around it. Then, apply firm pressure and pull outwards until the grille comes loose. If there are any wires attached at this point, follow step seven before continuing.
Step Seven:
If there are any wires connected to the return air opening, you will need to disconnect them before you can remove the grille. You can do this by taking off the wire caps and detaching the wires from their ports on the air handler or furnace/boiler.
Step Eight:
To put your AC unit back together, follow the steps in reverse order from the ones listed above. When you install the return air grille, use screws that are strong enough to hold it in place, but don’t tighten them too much or you could damage the grille and the AC unit.
How Do You Clean a Return Grill?
If you have a return air grille on your ceiling, you may need to clean it periodically. The amount of dust it collects depends on your home’s heating and cooling needs, how much traffic it gets from people walking over it, and pets brushing against it. You can also see if the airflow has been reduced, which may cause your heating and cooling system to work harder and increase your utility bills.
Frequently Asked Question
What Is the Purpose of A Return Air Grille?
A return air grille is a vertical, typically rectangular opening that allows air to enter a building from the outside and then be drawn into the building by an internal fan.
The return air grille on the roof of a house or other structure directs airflow up through ducts and down into rooms below. This helps to keep buildings warm in winter, cool in summer and creates more comfortable living spaces for occupants.
Do You Need Air Return Vents?
No, air return vents are not necessary for a small windowless room. However, if you have a large windowless room or a high-rise building, then yes, you will need to install an air return vent in order to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
The benefit of installing an air return vent is that it helps maintain proper ventilation in your building and also prevents moisture from collecting on the walls.
Is a Return Air Vent Necessary?
It is not necessary to have a return air vent in your home, but it can help.
If you are suffering from allergies or other respiratory issues, a return air vent can be helpful. It will help keep dust and allergens out of the room where the air is recirculated and away from those who may be sensitive to them.
Can I Block a Return Air Vent?
Yes, you can block a return air vent. This will help the cold air not get in and the warm air not get out.
The process of blocking a return air vent is pretty simple:
- Unplug your dryer from the wall outlet.
- Take off the top panel on your dryer and locate the heating element located at the back of your dryer.
- Turn off the power switch for that heating element with a screwdriver or pliers by turning it counterclockwise until it stops moving and then unplugging it completely to make sure it’s turned off completely.
- Use scissors to cut any plastic around that area so you can expose metal wires that connect to other parts of your machine. (don’t worry, they’re easy to find)
- Using needle-nose pliers, wrap one wire tightly around each other to create an electrical connection between them and twist them together tightly, so they are no longer able to move freely.
Conclusion
The return air grille is a common obstacle to remove in the home. However, if you are looking for an easy way to get rid of this bothersome part of your ductwork, there are many different options available on the market today that can help make this task easier.
For example, if you have access behind or above where the vent cover needs to be removed, it is possible to install a new one without having any screws, nails, or glue showing at all. The conclusion paragraph should be a list of how to remove return air grille in different situations.
Check it Out – How to install a return air vent in wall
