Gene
I ordered this grille to replace a smaller air return grille that was making wind noise with my system. I was hoping that the larger surface area of this grille would eliminate the obvious restriction of the smaller grille and it did not disappoint. My system is now perfectly quiet - no wind noise from in rushing air.
Something for every DIY person to think about when sizing your grille is if that grille will restrict the air being pulled into the AC/Heat unit. That restriction will cause a whistling or rattling noise. It will also starve the AC unit of the maximum air it is trying to pull in, creating that noise mentioned, and causing the system to work harder than it needs to - possibly leading to early failure of the fan.
One thing to note is that home builders will tend to install the cheapest and smallest air return grilles they can get away with as long as it meets minimum requirements - which was clearly the case with my house. Originally, I ordered a different Handua grille which fit the hole on my wall cavity exactly. It was a really great kit, but it turned out to be too small for my system. So I ordered this one which is about 1/4 larger and viola, problem solved! Perfect silence, no negative pressure sucking the grille onto the wall.
In the end, have to say that all of these Handua grilles seem well made, and they look really attractive on the wall. It's nice to have a new, handsome grille to replace my tired, yellowed 24 year old grille with this fresh new one. And now that it's nice and quiet, with no inlet restrictions, I am a happy DIY guy. And if my AC unit had lips, I'm sure it would thank me too now that it can breathe better.
| Manufacturer | Handua |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 3.69 pounds |
| Package Dimensions | 26.5 x 14.25 x 0.6 inches |
| Size | 24"W x 12"H [Duct Opening] |
| Color | White |
| Material | Steel |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
L.B.Redd