Return Air Grille Filters

Time to upgrade to better air quality? Return Air Grilles are designed to improve the circulation of your HVAC System by increasing the flow of air in your home. A/C return air filter grilles pull air back into the central heating and air system and reuse it. A Return Air Grille filter will help purify the air during the process ensuring that you get the cleanest, freshest air possible throughout your home. When it comes to figuring out which size return air grille filter you need, it' s as easy as taking the actual and nominal measurements of the filter. You can learn more about how to do that on the Filtered Files Blog. 

Does the thickness of the filter matter? Similar to figuring out the correct length and width when it comes to your furnace filter size, how thick the filter is matters too! Furnaces come in many different sizes and configurations furnace filters are not one size fits all. The filter must fit length and widthwise, but choosing a deeper filter can also increase its lifespan and efficiency. A thicker filter can also allow air to flow through the filter. In the majority of situations, a bulky filter equals more filtration and more square footage to capture and hold air particles. Typically, 1-inch air filters need to be changed every 1 to 3 months while a 4-inch-deep air filter can last up to 6 months. 

Most return air grille filters are engineered to fit the same space as standard 1-inch filters however, the thickness of your filter will depend on your system configuration. 

What is a return air grille? 

A return air grille is fashioned to improve the circulation of your HVAC System by maximizing the air circulation in your home. A/C return air filter grilles rotate air back into the central heating and air system and reuse it. Return grilles are typically constructed with steel and are designed to be easy to clean.

Grilles vs Vents

The difference between air vents or registers and grilles is that registers usually have dampers that allow you to control the airflow by opening or closing the vent. Grilles do not have louvers and are usually found in homes with an HVAC system. A return air vent will take air from a room and recycle it. You will usually find these vents in hallways or ceilings. 

How to calculate return air grille size

Return air grilles are available in many different sizes. Having a correct return air grille size is important because it ensures that your HVAC system has enough airflow and emits little noise. Return air grille sizes are calculated by taking the cubic feet per minute (CFM) of the HVAC unit and dividing it by 350 to get the square feet, then multiplying that number by 144 to convert it to square inches. Generally, you' ll want to have 200 square inches per unit ton. 

How to install return air filter grille

Return air filter grilles are meant to be permanent because it serves as the air supply and returns. Grilles are normally installed on ceilings, walls, and sometimes even floors. A home can have one large or several small returns depending on the setup of the central heating and cooling system. Installation is only necessary for a new home or if a broken one needs replacing. We recommend reaching out to a professional for return air filter grille installation. 

How to replace a return air filter grille

Changing your return air filter grille is as easy as removing the old filter and installing the new air grille filter in its place. Make sure the filter is completely flush against the grille casing before locking the grille back in place.