HVAC Return in wall

[RVAHVACnerd]

I have a mostly commercial industrial background, but have installed a few full systems in residential applications. We are currently bidding on installing new HVAC system as retrofit. The home is 2 story, and the first floor system air handler will be installed under house in crawl. Other contractors have recommended to the customer that the return be installed inside the wall. I honestly don't understand how this can be done without compromising the integrity of the wall and or structure. Do you drill holes in board at bottom of wall, or cut the whole board and them re-support? I honestly would have thought installing the return in the floor would be better. Any experienced suggestions would be great, Thanks to all!

[captube]

You are right it's a bad idea.
Maybe they have a cavity under the stairs that you can penetrate and put the proper sized return pipe and grill on.

[Dr.phil]

If you do it this way, cut out the plate and the sheeting. Cut and head one stud if needed and trim with plaster ground. At least thats the way I used to do it when I still did install.

[George2]

I have a mostly commercial industrial background, but have installed a few full systems in residential applications. We are currently bidding on installing new HVAC system as retrofit. The home is 2 story, and the first floor system air handler will be installed under house in crawl. Other contractors have recommended to the customer that the return be installed inside the wall. I honestly don't understand how this can be done without compromising the integrity of the wall and or structure. Do you drill holes in board at bottom of wall, or cut the whole board and them re-support? I honestly would have thought installing the return in the floor would be better. Any experienced suggestions would be great, Thanks to all!

Right. By putting the return "in the wall" we incorperate a filter grille so the HO doesn't need to go below to change the filters.

They will lose some room in a closet, or as mentioned, under the stairs is also a good place.

I've done it both ways.

[karsthuntr]

Not all walls are load bearing, so putting the return in the wall can be done very easily without losing wall integrity. For a 20x20 return you only lose one stud which can be supported very easily.