Derek ColeGM, Simmons One Hour Heating & Air · AI HVAC Answers

Air Filter Returns

28 Jan 2026 · 1 min

Episode

28 Jan 2026 · 1 min

0:00

Derek Cole explains why HVAC systems need larger return-air ducts and multiple returns you can close off. Drawing filtered air from returns instead of unconditioned crawlspaces saves energy and reduces the unit's workload.

Questions this episode answers

2019-10-03

Derek Cole

Chapters

You want to make it as easy as possible for the air to get back to the unit. So the bigger the return and the more you have in these different locations where it can be closed off, the better, because you want to make it very easy. Otherwise, the unit is going to get the air needs. It's going to suck it through the crawl space to the attic to the outside. It's going to get the air it wants to get to operate, but you want to control it. You want it to be cool or warm, filtered air from your return, not from the outside, which is unconditioned air. Right. So that'll save you energy and the unit will not have to work as hard to get the air back to it.