AboutCraig HVAC Expert Expertise I have been in the HVAC field for the past 12+ years. I can help with most HVAC questions. I work on commerical buildings for the most part, and have yet to find anything I could not troubleshoot and repair, when repairable. I work on small 1 ton units to a 2500 ton chiller. Troubleshoot air flow, elect, and control problems. I attend regular classes to keep up with the latest and greatest.
Experience I have work in the HVAC trade for the past sixteen years. I work on commerical sites, hospitals, gov't buildings. I can troubleshoot just about anything in the HVAC business.
Education/Credentials 5 years union trade school, VFD training classes, Liebert factory training, some York and Trane factory training.
Question In a 2,500 sq. ft. house, with a 5 ton heat and air unit, how many air returns should there be? Also, is there a specific size that needs to be used? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Answer If you have filter back return grilles, then you need about 200 sq per ton of cooling. So you need about 1000 sq inches. You should be on the bigger side to keep the velocity and air noise down. Each room has to have a return that goes back to the unit directly or into a common area where the return is located. The size for each room will vary depending on how much air is going into the room.
