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Heating & Air Conditioning

Trane XV80 120kBTU needs dual returns????

15 years ago

I have had 9 contractors give me quotes on replacing my system. Each one give me new information that I have to double-check and learn about.

Now, this 9th contractor has told me that the Trane XV80 (120kBTU) gas furnace is required to have "dual returns."

He explained that the blower needs air on both sides of the fan to get the highest CFM. This entails putting a box under the furnace to give a path for the return air that come from the original return duct to also pass under the furnace through this box to the other side of the fan.

No one else mentioned this and I can not find anywhere in this Forum that mentions this.

Can anyone verify this information??? It doesn't seem that getting air from two sides of the fan would be any different from getting air from one side of the fan--the actual return duct before it gets to the furnace has not changed.

Thanks... Gary

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Comments (4)

zl700
15 years ago
With a 120,000 BTU furnace which would have a 4 or 5 ton AC blower, sounds like you have finally found the contractor in the ninth one that knows what he is doing.

I'm not saying that a single return won't work in your application, especially not knowing the particulars.

However, with a single return, especially with todayÂs small blower compartment opening capability, excessive velocity across the filter, disturbance of airflow in blower compartment, restricted ducts raising static pressures, all will affect the operating noise levels and motor loading that directly effects efficiency and system longentivity.
goddi
Original Author
15 years ago
zl700...
I was on the phone with the Trane distributor's tech guy when I got your response. It took him a while to dig through the fine print in his installation manual and he did verify this. He said since the 5 ton A/C requires 2000 cfms, the manual did say that return air should be from both sides or one side and the bottom of the fan to allow for max. cfms. He said it probably would work without it but it is recommended. How about that!!! I asked if I could get a copy or download that information but he said it is not available (for regular people) so I'll have to convince the other contractors...
Thanks for your input. Gary
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zl700
15 years ago
I can help Gary, the I&O manual reads like this:

"DO NOT install return air through the back of the furnace cabinet.

Note:
On upflow 5 or 6 ton airflow models, if the airflow requirement exceeds 1800 CFM, these models will require return air openings and filters on both sides; OR 1 side and the bottom, OR just the bottom."

Gary, bottom openings with the furnace sitting on a structurally sound plenum box with a properly sized return drop is the norm, guessing like 10x24 or 12 x 20 at least. The filters are usually horizontal sandwiched between box and furnace, reason why Trane as one, make the filter cabinets to the width of its furnaces or air handlers.
goddi
Original Author
15 years ago
z1700...
YES, thanks... That is what he read to me. Good to get it in writing so I can quote it.
Super thanks. Gary

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