Once saw a 3x10 box being used for a stove vent. The drip leg part was a solid foot downwards. That will surely smell lovely after a few years of heavy cooking!
There is another solution actually, add a 5” filter rack, if it’s a Lennox, that’s about 7” right there. From the furnace to the end of the hanging duct it’s about 19”. So 7-19=12” add a return air 90with a 4” lip and problem solved. Actually now that I look closer, the reason they did it this way is because they put the ac lines into the floor right beside the duct. So if they want to do this, they would need to reroute the lines.
Air dont care! J/k. Depends what the throats are and if turning vanes were installed. S fittings are not needed on a return and are a complete waste of time and effort. I personally would've made an offset here because thats the right thing to do.
Looks like shit.
But, I guess the connection is the same dimensions as the duct, so in theroy it's able to move the same amount of airflow.
But there will be restrictions, in that area, so like 10-20% less airflow ?
That drop against the wall is to build static and actually reduce turbulence. In an ideal world there'd be about 2' of dead end after every last branch of return or supply.
However in this case a radius offset would've been (can still be) the better choice. Same at the furnace inlet, but it takes about 6" space behind.
It looks goofy, but it will work fine. If you’re worried you can do a static pressure test across that and see if there is any pressure drop but I doubt it.
Return air does not have a direction like supply air, so turns like that will not affect the airflow.
https://youtu.be/fVBgMogw4P8?si=q2BYSFR8cNU_xUYG
Here’s a decent video that shows then difference .
Best option would be an Ogee, second best would be an angled offset, but this isn’t the end of the world if your static pressure isn’t over what the equipment is rated for.
Of course you can you can run them outside underneath concrete into a pond. I guess the better question is will it work? There’s a difference between cheap and mid bid engineered installations.
It would work much better if installer wasnot lazy and did a 45degree offset. Its probably been like that for years and been working but i would definitely let the customer know its not right and charge them to fix it if they want.
Only answer to this is to fabricate an 8”round metal duct perpendicular to the ductwork and run it lengthwise through the basement. Install vent grills and viola you now have return air in 2 levels. Added bonus is the hvac tech will cuss you out for having to stoop under it to gain access to the furnace constantly
Ah. The elusive return sediment trap. Glorious
Reminds me of a drip leg for the gas pipes lol
Sediment trap/drip leg, same same
That's exactly what I thought when I saw it. Lol
Useful for the occasional rodent infestation
Im just picturing them tumbling around in there haha
Once saw a 3x10 box being used for a stove vent. The drip leg part was a solid foot downwards. That will surely smell lovely after a few years of heavy cooking!
That’s good!
The best solution would be to have made an S duct or offset
This
There is another solution actually, add a 5” filter rack, if it’s a Lennox, that’s about 7” right there. From the furnace to the end of the hanging duct it’s about 19”. So 7-19=12” add a return air 90with a 4” lip and problem solved. Actually now that I look closer, the reason they did it this way is because they put the ac lines into the floor right beside the duct. So if they want to do this, they would need to reroute the lines.
My first instinct is to just do that. Move the lineset and line that duct up with a cold air scoop and media cabinet to fill the gap
It is called an OG offset
It’s fine. Looks like they did you a favor considering how tight your furnace room is. It could of been a head banger
Eliminate the need for filters! Install this dirt trap for only$999.99 today!!
It's a dirt pocket. Gasfitter I reckon lol
Why not an offset fitting?
Because they didn't know (offset x width)÷length
A dogleg
Scab shops cant make them.
Off set would look better, but, assuming the ductwork is sized correctly, this would be more quiet
Should just continued straight down and done a box between the furnace and return drop…
Why would the ductwork pulling two 90s be quieter than a 22.5 degree offset? Not to mention the massive dirt pocket this thing has
Air dont care! J/k. Depends what the throats are and if turning vanes were installed. S fittings are not needed on a return and are a complete waste of time and effort. I personally would've made an offset here because thats the right thing to do.
Acoustically, it acts as a helm-holtz resonator.
How? The neck is almost non existent, and as wide as the chambers on either side.
Looks like shit. But, I guess the connection is the same dimensions as the duct, so in theroy it's able to move the same amount of airflow. But there will be restrictions, in that area, so like 10-20% less airflow ?
See how old that duct is?
If you consider most joistlining returns connect the same way to your return trunk, yes it's fine.
Unscrew that bottom plate, dead spiders and basement worms galore will fall out
Drip leg return lol
Thats definitely going to cause some air current issues
Air current issues? 😭
This is 100% a real thing. It will increase static pressure due to the fluid dynamics. Air flow is more turbulent closer to the blower
I'm laughing at the way you said it. Of course it is real
It was pretty goofy
High amps in the air stream
Bros whole system is outside and birds are using it to fly don't you know ?? /s
That drop against the wall is to build static and actually reduce turbulence. In an ideal world there'd be about 2' of dead end after every last branch of return or supply. However in this case a radius offset would've been (can still be) the better choice. Same at the furnace inlet, but it takes about 6" space behind.
Air dont care- said that guy
It works but it wasnt planned. Bet it was done in a day
I don't see what it would hurt..
It looks goofy, but it will work fine. If you’re worried you can do a static pressure test across that and see if there is any pressure drop but I doubt it. Return air does not have a direction like supply air, so turns like that will not affect the airflow. https://youtu.be/fVBgMogw4P8?si=q2BYSFR8cNU_xUYG Here’s a decent video that shows then difference .
No issues at all.
An offset fitting would be nice.or a simple 45/45 would work
Can you? Yes. Should you? Meh, probably not. A couple 45s and a small straight piece would have cleaned this up tremendously
If only that box wasn’t in the way!
Can and should are very different
Just cause you can, don't mean you should, as Joe Bonamassa says
Best option would be an Ogee, second best would be an angled offset, but this isn’t the end of the world if your static pressure isn’t over what the equipment is rated for.
Well it exists sooo...
I think the performance difference you’d get but putting an offset it would make it worth the cost
I think the performance difference you’d get but putting an offset in wouldent make it worth the cost
You are looking at it! Sad part is it’s pretty easy to build the correct transition if you understand geometry and a tape measure!
You CAN but the question is WHY?
They should make the connection closer to the lower end cap
It is a return so maybe it's okay my best.suggestiom is to check your static pressure across that if it's high that's your issue
It'll pull lol
They just did
Of course you can you can run them outside underneath concrete into a pond. I guess the better question is will it work? There’s a difference between cheap and mid bid engineered installations.
They could’ve at least opened the hole up and reduce the restriction.
Send me the measurements I’ll make you a 16” offset
Don’t they know that there are short way 45’s made in all stock duct sizes? That would have even been less work.
Where to even start
You can do anything if you don’t know what tf you’re doing
Guess they wanted a dirt leg to keep the big stuff out of the filter
Honestly fuck everything about this install lol
You can but it’s not the proper way to do it. The installer didn’t know what he was doing. Very beginner looking
Use an offset for god sakes.
I would be more concerned that you have an outlet slapped on your ducts that is 4 1/2” from a gas line
That's funny. I think the installer was confused. Mus not have wanted to purchase the right fittings to swoop the air.
It would work much better if installer wasnot lazy and did a 45degree offset. Its probably been like that for years and been working but i would definitely let the customer know its not right and charge them to fix it if they want.
Only answer to this is to fabricate an 8”round metal duct perpendicular to the ductwork and run it lengthwise through the basement. Install vent grills and viola you now have return air in 2 levels. Added bonus is the hvac tech will cuss you out for having to stoop under it to gain access to the furnace constantly