My understanding is that the furnace registers on the bedroom stairs should be blocked during the summer since they just open up to the basement and underbelly. Just wondering how you guys (and girls) blocked yours? To do something from the back side you have to remove the basement wall.
The wooden "grills" will remove from the inside by removing 4 screws each. I put luan on the inside of them with small screws. Don't forget to remove before using furnace.
I just bought some 3/4'' styrofoam insulation and i plan to cut it snug enough to place in the opening to block the heat. I may remove the grill that's there and paint the styrofoam brown to match the interior. You can get a 2x2 piece from Home Depot for 5.98 .
The wooden "grills" will remove from the inside by removing 4 screws each. I put luan on the inside of them with small screws. Don't forget to remove before using furnace.
Those are not registers they are cold air returns.
"Ever wonder why some rooms of your home don’t heat or cool as well as others? The answer may be your return air grills- also known as “cold air returns”. These are the vents that are usually on the wall and they do not have a control mechanism to open or shut their flow. Their purpose is to allow air to return to the furnace to be heated or cooled. It is an air inlet. If your home has returns in most rooms this is the best setup, allowing for the best circulation and air flow. But sometimes we see that people cover/close them up because they don’t realize their importance. Some homes have one or two large return grills centrally located. In that case, simply closing the doors to the bedrooms can essentially close those rooms off from the whole house air circulation the heating/cooling system is designed to provide. So while the supply vents blow out heated and cooled air, the return grills are just as important to your overall comfort and proper system functions. Never block your return grills! Leave those returns unobstructed by furniture or other coverings and you will help ensure that your system gives maximum comfort, consistent temperatures, and doesn’t waste energy by running too long due to poor air circulation thru the home."
I used black poster board to close them off year round. If you have ever removed the wall between the basement and the area where the furnace is you know that there is plenty of warm air there. Well at least on my 3582RL.
Yes I know these are there for a reason. Just like the AC returns that collapsed requiring PVC to be inserted in them.
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Wayne and Ann Moore
2015 Ford F-350 King Ranch
Firestone air bags, bed saver.
Add 40 GAL tank in bed.
We bought Styrofoam insulation sheet ( maybe 2” thick?) from Home Depot and cut 2 pieces that fit snugly against the step registers. Then my wife covered them with some heavy dark brown material so the aren’t noticeable. We have them in place whenever AC is running.
__________________ Bill & Mary Van Nuys
Leavenworth, KS 2014 3735MK Legacy, Sailun 637s, TST 507RV TPMS, 2 Battle Born 100 AMP Lithium Batteries, Slide Toppers 2015 Chevy 3500 LTZ, 6.6L Duramax 4WD, CC, LB, SRW with Allison Transmission
I removed our stairs completely and rebuilt them with wood treads that and hinged to open for storage. I also created 3 steps instead of 2 to lessen the rise so they are easier to climb. These campers are so leaky there are many other places to pull return air from. Besides, we don't use the propane heat much anyway. If we camp in cold weather we make sure we have electric hook ups so we can use ceramic heaters.
My understanding is that the furnace registers on the bedroom stairs should be blocked during the summer since they just open up to the basement and underbelly. Just wondering how you guys (and girls) blocked yours? To do something from the back side you have to remove the basement wall.
Thanks in advance.
Just playing devil's advocate here, what is the benefit of covering up the furnace cold air return during the summer?
Just playing devil's advocate here, what is the benefit of covering up the furnace cold air return during the summer?
Cold air can escape into the basement, especially if you leave a basement door open. If you are already having cooling problems, it just adds to it. Kind of like leaving a window open.
I closed the openings under the stairs permanently. Then I sealed the area where the furnace is located in the bottom of the pantry and put in a return air that pulls air from the living area. Made a huge difference in heating and cooling.
The basement is really poorly insulated and sealed. in the winter massive drafts from under the stairs when the furnace isn't on. I am planning on either ducting the return air as per Ddubya (above), or boxing in the area immediately under the stairs and putting in a barometric damper that stays closed, but automatically opens when the furnace kicks on.
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2016 Montana High Country 310RE
2020 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 HD LT CC 4x4 Duramax
You're correct in everything you stated, but the single return at the steps in Montanas can be blocked for summertime since its only the cold air return for the furnace. It has nothing to do with the roof-mounted ACs. I can feel warmth when I use the steps. I don't know how effective it is to block the return, but I can't believe it would hurt anything unless one forgets to unblock it during furnace use.
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2016 Montana 3711FL
2005 Ford F350, 6.0 diesel, short bed
Demco Hitchiker Auto Slide hitch
We winter in North GA where it still gets a bit chilly. We use heat more than a/c. Last winter was our first with this rig and I noticed masses of cold air coming from that return vent so I blocked it off. When we finally got a real cold night and all my plumbing froze in the basement I discovered a huge gap in the insulation to the outer wall. Once I filled that gap the pipes stopped freezing and the draft disappeared.
__________________ Jim B
2017 Lariat F-350 FX4, CC, SB, 6.7 PSD 4WD
2018 MONTY 3731FL, at our private winter site in GA
So on a 2015 HC 318RE This area would be below the Fridg. to the left of the stairs?? I just traded in the Winnebago for this unit two weeks ago and was looking through the wood grill at the space below the Fridg. thinking about blocking that area off as when i opened up the cargo area one day last week it felt very cool down there as if it had a A/C Vent down there.... That must be how the cold air was getting into the basement then....
I just wanted to confirm what i was thinking
Pickup some Velcro from home depot and some heavy cardboard like a brown box big enough to cover the lovers and you will have a very usable way to open and close those holes under the steps.
Phil P
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2009 Montana 3665RE
2009 Duramax 3500 DRW quad cab
personal web page https://www.sallyscoffees.com
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