Cold Air Return?

[2goldens]

It's pretty drafty in my RSE...mostly in the bedroom with no heat in there. BUT, on the floor, at the bottom of the steps, cold air pours in from the furnace area I assume. If I cover it up to prevent the draft, is this harmful? Is it a cold air return?

[2goldens]

It's pretty drafty in my RSE...mostly in the bedroom with no heat in there. BUT, on the floor, at the bottom of the steps, cold air pours in from the furnace area I assume. If I cover it up to prevent the draft, is this harmful? Is it a cold air return?

[d.duin]

I also have a RSE and although my unit is not at home to be able to check it I also thought the step register was the cold air return. However, as I think about it there is no ducting to the furnace from the register? Unless the basement storage compartment is also considered part of the cold air return? I would think it would have to be, otherwise the duct that feeds the storage compartment would create a preasurized condition meaning no air flow. If your getting cold air at the step register it would indicate no heat getting to the storage area, maybe a blocked or disconnected duct to that area? Please advise what you find!
Ace

[LindaH]

Our 30RKE also has a cold air return at the bottom of the steps. It simply opens into the basement...there is no ducting attached to it, nor do I think there's supposed to be.

We solved the problem -- inadvertently -- of a draft coming in through this cold air return by installing a runner going up the steps. The runner is long enough that it hangs down in front of the cold air return. We do raise it up by putting a couple of shoes underneath the rug when the forced air furnace is on, but otherwise, it blocks the cold air from pouring in from the basement.

[Workshop]

As has been mentioned, the return air for the furnance is at the bottom of the steps. It is not ducted, according to the Atwood install manual, page 2, it says "Return air is supplied through openings in the furnance casing". As a result, it pulls air from both the living areas and the storage/basement. Believe this returning air aids in the heating of the basement area. My unit has the small 2-3 inch duct in the storage compartment.

The problem with the draft back through the air return might be.... On my unit, I have several utility openings, for slide out manual operation (located beneath the steps) and slide out drive shafts that exit the basement to name a few. Don't know if there are others as I discovered them in July when it was 95 degrees out side. As I'm still in the stick built and using the 5th when I can, finding a way to seal those areas hasn't been high on the list. Maybe they just got moved up some.

On my unit, where the drive shafts exits the cross frame member, it was sealed or opening reduced at some point, as can see where something was once applied but no longer there. The opening for the manual slide operation never had anything coveing it. These areas are open to the enclosed basement area and to varify that, had the DW hold a flashlight in the furnance area tonight and I looked in the openings and was able to see the light in the compartment. Not bright, but it indicates there's a path for unwanted air.

The manual cautions against blocking the flow of both supply and return air when the furnance is operating. My 8500 series requires 48 sq in of openings for both supply and return. IMO if return air isn't able to be pulled from the living area, it will probly get it from all those opening I found.

Hope something helped.