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Old 06-05-2020, 06:52 PM   #1
triplebvalp
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Helping the Air Conditioner(s)

I read a few posts about blocking the furnace return air "louvers" built into the stairs. So, I took the louvers off, blocked the back side, and reinstalled the louvers,

So, do ya'll reverse that process in the winter or when you need your furnace heat? Or, do you think there is enough air for the furnace in the underbelly of the beast?
 
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Old 06-05-2020, 08:52 PM   #2
Daryles
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Yes, remove the stair covering in the winter. The return air to the furnace helps warm the plumbing in the basement.
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Old 06-05-2020, 09:09 PM   #3
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What did you block it with..?

Tony
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Old 06-05-2020, 09:31 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by Last2Die View Post
What did you block it with..?

Tony
I used some scrap paneling I had.
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Old 06-05-2020, 11:01 PM   #5
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I need to seal that up too.
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Old 06-06-2020, 08:32 AM   #6
Walt & Vicki
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We have had ours blocked for over a year. If left open it draws heat in summer and cool in winter anytime you turn any vent in your rig on. You will be fine in the winter as far as your plumbing goes. Spent the winter in Washington state with no problems. Next thing for me to block off is under kitchen cabinets. They are not shy about cutting holes that are way to big for plumbing and wiring. Plan on taking my basement apart soon to remedy.
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Old 06-06-2020, 09:56 AM   #7
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If you don't unblock them in the winter the furnace will get the return air it needs from the outside and IMPO you don't need cold outside air coming in thru all the cracks anymore than already does.
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Old 06-06-2020, 11:30 AM   #8
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I use foam board insulation behind grill in the summer. Several disagree with me but I'm also going to block off basement from other area with plumbing/furnace. I've started insulating the floor in rear garage and basement. Opened up both and cool air came rolling out …
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Old 06-06-2020, 03:50 PM   #9
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air returns

Simplest thing to use is Cling Wrap. Tear off a piece, wrap it on the back and put vent back on. I also put the wrap under the floor vents to keep dirt out of them through the summer.
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Old 06-07-2020, 09:12 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by tooth ferry View Post
Simplest thing to use is Cling Wrap. Tear off a piece, wrap it on the back and put vent back on. I also put the wrap under the floor vents to keep dirt out of them through the summer.
Good idea! I cut plexiglass, drilled screw holes and fit them behind the grills.
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Old 06-14-2020, 02:09 PM   #11
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I have my heater vents taped up outside on mine, and this is why. “ I live in it full time and it once was packed with dirt from the dust here. It’s a job I don’t want to have to do again. Just sayin
Thanks for the idea of the simple block for ac. I’ll do it !!
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Old 06-14-2020, 02:47 PM   #12
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Not quite sure I am tracking with this request. What issues are you having and what stairs are you referring to? Thanks
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Old 06-14-2020, 03:39 PM   #13
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Not quite sure I am tracking with this request. What issues are you having and what stairs are you referring to? Thanks
5th wheels have 2 levels with a few stairs between. Some have the furnace located such that the air return is thru grills in the face of the stairs. Outside air can get into this space and thus inside, not helping the ac at all.
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Old 06-14-2020, 05:17 PM   #14
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When I did my kitchen remodel, I replaced the steps with standard oak treads and risers from home depot. As others have said, don't need heat or air exchanged through the steps. The furnace is already ducted to the basement water closet in my rig.
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Old 06-14-2020, 06:01 PM   #15
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Wow - I spent 45 years of my working life in Commercial Heating, & Airconditioning...I am speechless !
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Old 06-14-2020, 06:06 PM   #16
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Fun, right.
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Old 06-14-2020, 08:13 PM   #17
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Originally Posted by McRod View Post
When I did my kitchen remodel, I replaced the steps with standard oak treads and risers from home depot. As others have said, don't need heat or air exchanged through the steps. The furnace is already ducted to the basement water closet in my rig.
I don't know what rig you have so I don't understand the "furnace is already ducted to the basement water closet" statement.

As I understand it, the furnace needs an air supply to heat and pump in the RV. The expectation is that air supply comes through the holes in the stair risers. This is interior air, somewhat already heated and just being touched up.

Lacking the air supply through the stair risers, the next source of air comes from the outside through that 4" gap above the black and grey tanks. This is outside air which is not heated and maybe be dirty and dusty (depending where you are). It takes a lot more energy to heat outside air to room temp especially when it is really cold out.

Of course the lack of air filters in the heating system is yet another discussion.

(Yes I know these things are leaky and the air supply isn't all one way of the other, but the preponderance of air comes in the two ways above.)

Consequently many of us close off the stair vents during the summer so the A/C doesn't suck air from there. But come winter we open those stair vents back up for the heater to work best.
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Old 06-14-2020, 08:56 PM   #18
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I close them off in summer too and reopen in winter. Rarely use the furnace as the FP and/or HP almost always keeps the Montana warm. Like Jimmy Buffet sings, "I go where the weather suits my clothes".
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Old 06-14-2020, 10:33 PM   #19
McRod
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The suburban furnace air intake is clearly labeled on the exterior of the vehicle - along with the exhaust. There is no magical way to suck warm air from inside your RV back into the furnace.

The furnace blower box has several ducts of various sizes that are ducted to push heat to directed areas within the rig. In my rig, one of the 2" ducts goes directly to the water closet, which is the backside of where you connect your water lines and houses the water pump and water lines
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Old 06-14-2020, 10:56 PM   #20
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Originally Posted by triplebvalp View Post
I read a few posts about blocking the furnace return air "louvers" built into the stairs. So, I took the louvers off, blocked the back side, and reinstalled the louvers,

So, do ya'll reverse that process in the winter or when you need your furnace heat? Or, do you think there is enough air for the furnace in the underbelly of the beast?
The fallacy in your thought process is that the stairs act as some sort of "return air" for the furnace. They do not. The furnace gets it's air from the air intake on the exterior of your vehicle. So no. You don't need to unblock them for the furnace's sake.

You may want to consider reviewing the way your RV heats the basement areas if you plan on camping in freezing weather. The stair louvers assist with keeping that area warm.
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