In a forced-air heating and cooling system, there are two ways of designing the return side of the duct system that brings air back to be conditioned again. A central return may have a single return vent, or it could have multiple return vents. In either case, the returns will be in the common areas of the house. Central returns are common on most older houses, as well as in “starter homes” and other less expensive houses.
In a house with dedicated returns, each bedroom will have a dedicated return vent to send air back to the system to be heated or cooled. There will also be additional return vents in the common areas. While each type of return system offers advantages and disadvantages, Allison Bailes of Energy Vanguard thinks that simpler central returns are better, and explains why. Do you agree?