Browse Forums Heating, Cooling & Insulation 1 Mar 20, 2023 11:59 am Hi all, We are building currently and the builder has included Airsmart air conditioning system as part of specification. We were given an optional item to upgrade the system for a “custom return air grille” in lieu of AirSmart standard grille. The optional item costs just under $3k so we are not sure if we should go with it. To be honest we don’t even know what that is - we were just told it is a return air grille that helps to minimise noise. But I thought being a small duct (and an expensive system) they should be very quiet compared to a lot of other central cooling system. Does anyone have any idea about this? Thanks Re: Airsmart custom RA grille 2Mar 20, 2023 1:03 pm SO I don’t know if this is the issue with noise that they are referring to, but given that they mentioned the return air, it may be. I also make a caveat that I don’t know what kind of return air Airsmart uses. If they are using an Air Crate grille, which sits on a hinge for ease of cleaning, its construction means there is a tiny gap between the grill body and the frame it sits in. This gap causes a “whistle” that absolutely annoys the sht out of me and I had to tape it up. My wife didn’t hear it at all. Our new system uses a one piece pop in plastic grille you have to jimmy out of the frame to get to the filter. However it has a flange around the edge that sits over the frame it sits in, eliminating the dreaded whistle. New system is whisper quiet. Outside of this, I really don’t know what noise they could be referring to. The grille should not contribute to noise if it is properly sized and a 3k custom grille sounds like you’re being taken for a ride. Ask them to see the standard and what makes the custom one custom. In any case, I found the plastic pop out none was a way better solution than the hinges air crate one and is the cheaper option. Re: Airsmart custom RA grille 3Mar 20, 2023 1:50 pm AFAIK in small duct systems the noise is minimised not by grille but by installing special sound attenuators in the end of the ductwork and attached to the grille, e.g.: https://hvac.place/BM-6926-SpacePak-3-Sound-Attenuator-Tube-w-Kwik-Connect-on-both-sides-44BM-6926_p_2413.html Re: Airsmart custom RA grille 4Mar 21, 2023 1:00 pm Thanks everyone for your replies I have since been able to clarify this with my builder and what they said was “there is a powder coated white return air grille already included. We always include a custom as an option but only when the return air is in a higher traffic area. The custom option is usually a white painted timber batten painted the same colour as the walls so it doesn’t stick out as a heating and cooling vent.” In case anyone is looking at the same issue hope this makes sense Re: Airsmart custom RA grille 5Mar 21, 2023 1:08 pm Ostrich36 Thanks everyone for your replies I have since been able to clarify this with my builder and what they said was “there is a powder coated white return air grille already included. We always include a custom as an option but only when the return air is in a higher traffic area. The custom option is usually a white painted timber batten painted the same colour as the walls so it doesn’t stick out as a heating and cooling vent.” In case anyone is looking at the same issue hope this makes sense 3k for a timber grille lol. They're dreaming. The white powder coated one sounds like the aircrate one I was talking about. Re: Airsmart custom RA grille 6Mar 21, 2023 1:18 pm Ask them how a white painted custom grille could possibly cost close to $3,000. Sounds insane. Re: Airsmart custom RA grille 7Mar 21, 2023 1:19 pm orionnebula Ask them how a white painted custom grille could possibly cost close to $3,000. Sounds insane. Yep. Somone with a tablesaw, some DAR pine stock, half a brain and an afternoon could pull one together. There just doesn't sound like there is value there. Hello, we can help you please get in contact 0421019219 thank you 3 32428 Hi, Seeking volume or semi-custom builder in victoria(east), which have existing double story wide floor plans. Seeking 18-20m wide homes with depth of 12-15m long. Or… 0 25573 |