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Message
Cleaning out HVAC Intake Vent
Posted on 6/1/25 at 7:58 pm
Posted on 6/1/25 at 7:58 pm
New homeowner and trying to clean out my HVAC system because the house is taking a long time to cool. The picture below i think is an intake vent but it has these security screws on it so I can't remove them. Is there a reason that I shouldn't remove these?
For context there's a second vent just 15' away down the hall with normal screws
And another in the basement
And here's a pic of the unit
The red arrow points to a slot where the filter goes. None of the vents have a filter. This is in the basement on the other side of the wall of the basement vent
For context there's a second vent just 15' away down the hall with normal screws
And another in the basement
And here's a pic of the unit
The red arrow points to a slot where the filter goes. None of the vents have a filter. This is in the basement on the other side of the wall of the basement vent
This post was edited on 6/1/25 at 8:00 pm
5
Posted on 6/1/25 at 9:51 pm to Yeti_Chaser
No reason to remove them unless they have a filter. But change the filter in the basement - looks dirty. Consider using a less restrictive filter - lower MERV rating, for example MERV 4.
Posted on 6/2/25 at 4:47 am to Yeti_Chaser
If there is no filter behind them just use the brush attachment on your vacuum to clean it without removing.
Eta: mine always looked dirty even after id vacuum. I took it off and hit it with the pressure washer. Realized the former owner of my house had spray painted over caked up dust instead of cleaning it.
Eta: mine always looked dirty even after id vacuum. I took it off and hit it with the pressure washer. Realized the former owner of my house had spray painted over caked up dust instead of cleaning it.
This post was edited on 6/2/25 at 6:27 pm
Posted on 6/2/25 at 5:45 am to Yeti_Chaser
quote:
it has these security screws on it
If you really want to know what's back there you can get a security bit set from harbor Freight for about $10.
Posted on 6/2/25 at 3:41 pm to Yeti_Chaser
Wash the condenser coil.
Posted on 6/2/25 at 3:57 pm to Loup
That is similar to how my return vents are. House was built in the late 1960s. There's a return in the living room, hallway, and what used to be the den. They all feed down to the air handler and there is a filter on each side. No reason to remove the return covers if you can vacuum them out. But I would go ahead and remove them and clean them and put normal screws back in.
I took one of mine out a few years ago and cleaned it up. I was going to paint it since some paint had chipped off, and ended up pressure washing it. Looks great after a good cleaning and spray paint.
I took one of mine out a few years ago and cleaned it up. I was going to paint it since some paint had chipped off, and ended up pressure washing it. Looks great after a good cleaning and spray paint.
Posted on 6/2/25 at 8:01 pm to Yeti_Chaser
I’m jealous you have 3 I takes. I have one your size same location near floor in hallway. One day I’m going to have a new vent put in that is larger and taller bc I don’t think that the one small intake is sufficient.
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