Any HVAC experts around?

[VolunteerGuns]

We just built our house at the end of last year and the time has come for me to finish the basement. I've already put up a couple of walls, installed some lektric, and hung some drywall.

My issue...

When the furnace was installed they put it out right in the middle of the basement floor killing the use of floor space. I intend on moving it back a couple of feet into a pantry.

It currently uses a 12" flex hose for cold air return. feeding into the bottom of the unit

and a 12" hose from the top of the unit feeding the ductwork (directly in the bottom of metal duct)

I wonder if i can replace each of the 12" with 2 - 6" pipes 1.(allowing the cold air return to be routed in 2 - 6" pipes between the floor joists and the metal ductwork(above the ductwork), and down to the bottom of the unit, as opposed to the 12" which has to run below the duct)

2.(allowing the feed to the ducts to be routed in 2 - 6" pipes and pumped into the side of the metal ductwork vs. into the bottom as is now)

any ideas??

Edited September 26, 2010 by adamween

[Guest m&pc9]

2- 6 in lines does not equal a 12 in duct. You do not want to restrict air flow it will be costly in the future.

The best thing would be build a closet around the unit. Or to get some one to properly move the unit to the other location.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

If that's the final installation that you show, it looked like

the installers were in a big hurry to get home that day.

I guess that it may he enough of a plenum, although

I can't see enough in the picture.

You can get everything you need to move it and I would

use the same or larger duct for the return. What about

the freon lines? Are you doing that yourself? You can

cut the available lines and splice into them if you've

done any of that in the past.

Depending on your level of experience should tell you

whether or not to get an installer to move it. I've done

it, but I'll do most anything to save a buck.

[Guest bigbovine]

Plus you will not be able to move the unit, because you would have to disconect your gas lines, thats like doing a new install.

[VolunteerGuns]

Ok. The unit is being moved back toward the outside unit. I will not have to unhook any refridgerant lines or even the electric, as I am moving them toward where they run. As far as the dual six's, I will be replacing them with 2 - 8" flexibles to do the job of 1 - 12". After checking CFM rating on sizes I see this will be similar. Any other feedback is appreciated.

[Guest m&pc9]

Do you know what size of a/c you have.