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An important measurement to consider when setting up an HVAC is to calculate how many CFM per register. It stands for the volume of airflow per cubic feet per minute. It can get tricky to calculate, which I have explained below.
To calculate the CFM per register. First, you need to calculate the volume of your room. For that, you’ve to consider height, width, and area. Next, you must multiply the volume with the air changes per hour. Finally, divide the number by the register count of the room.
I have the calculations a few paragraphs down, under some intros and explanations, so check that out if you want the math to figure this out on your own. Or use the handy CFM Calculator here:
CFM Airflow Calculator
What Are CFM And Registers?
Determining how much CFM you need for each register requires introducing the terms. Before getting into the calculations, let’s familiarize ourselves properly with these terms.
CFM
‘’Cubic Feet Per Minute’’ is the full form of the abbreviation CFM. It’s a measurement of volumes of airflow. Consider a stationary point; the amount of cubic feet of air passing that point is CFM.
Usually, big homes have greater CFMs than small homes. The only exception can be if the room is something like a storage room.
Storage rooms are filled with furniture and equipment, so the floor is covered. As a result, CFM isn’t valid for the floor spaces.
Importance of CFM
You can use the CFM of your home to choose the appropriate and efficient HVAC system. CFM has the potential to reduce the wastage of power and provide accurate planning!
Register
I’m very sure everyone has seen a register at some point in their lives. This metal grill allows the HVAC system’s air to get into rooms in your desired direction.
The register’s grill can be moved in different directions to dictate airflow. There are also 2 different types of registers- wall register and floor register.
Importance of Registers
Without registers, the air from the HVAC systems would not get to your room. Registers also add to the aesthetic of the room.
The importance of proper register placement is something to be concerned about.
How Many CFM Per Register?
Calculating the CFM per register can be a tricky task. Since CFMs rely on many factors (addressed earlier), it is tough to calculate them.
However, you don’t have to stress. I’ve explained the process of calculating the CFM thoroughly here. After learning this calculation, you won’t need a register CFM chart!
Since CFM dictates the amount of airflow, we will calculate just that.
Let’s say we have a room that has an area of 400sqft. It also has a height of 10ft ceiling height. So the volume of the room will be 400×10 = 4000ft³.
You also need to know the number of air changes per hour (ACH) you want. If it’s 2 ACH, multiply the volume with the ACH. So it’ll be, 4000ft³x2 = 8000ft³. This means the room will need airflow for 8000ft³ each hour.
Note that, CFM is calculated for minutes. So let’s turn it into minutes. Dividing the amount by 60 will do. So, 8000ft³/60 = 133.33 CFM.
Hence, you’ll need 133.33 CFM for a 400sqft room with 2ACH and 10ft ceiling height. This is counted for a room with 1 register.
You can divide the net CFM by the register count if you have multiple registers. Register CFM depends on how many registers per room you have.
For instance, if you have 3 registers in the same room, divide it by 3. So, 133.33/3 = 44.44 CFM. So per register will have 44.44 CFM in that room! Ideally, the average CFM per register is between 25 and 200.
This is how to calculate how many CFM per vent/register. Find out the net CFM of the room; then divide it by the register count!
Now, the register size is important when calculating CFM. It’s better to know the register size beforehand. In that next segment, I’ve elaborated on this. Have a look!
How to Determine Register Size?
It’s important to have correctly sized registers. Oversized and undersized registers create a ton of problems. To get proper size registers, you need to measure them.
Follow the steps below to measure your register size-
- First, if you have an existing register on your floor or wall, remove them. You should have only a hollow air duct.
- Then, grab a measuring tape and measure the width and length of the air duct.
Note that the air duct should be measured since the register keeps space for the duct.
For your convenience, here are some good-quality measuring tapes-
Product | Price |
25 Foot Tape Measure by Kutir | Buy Now |
CRAFTSMAN Tape Measure | Buy Now |
Komelon Self Lock Power Tape | Buy Now |
These are all 25-foot-long measuring tapes. Enough to measure a large room without breaking a sweat! Try them out to get an accurate measurement of the room.
- Finally, note down the measurements of your duct. The following measurements will be the required register size for that duct.
For example, you could’ve gotten a 4’’ by 10’’ measurement from the previous step. In that case, you will need a 4×10 register!
That’s how you correctly measure a register size properly. These measurements will for sure help in the long run!
While measuring the ductwork, many users find it not aesthetically pleasing. In these cases, you can hide it by extending the ductwork to a suspended ceiling. The extension usually ends at the drop ceiling.
Factors That Alter The CFM
If you’re trying to determine how many CFM a room needs, there are a couple of factors. I’ve elaborated on these factors below.
Let’s learn about these factors.
Room Size
This is the most important factor when calculating CFM. The bigger room you have, the more CFM it will require.
For example, if a 500sqft room needs 100 CFM, a 750sqft room will need 125 CFM. The CFM is somewhat proportional to the room size in every case.
Heat Loss
If you’re trying to determine CFM, the heat loss capacity of your room is essential. There are many ways heat escapes a room. 1/3rd of heat escapes through walls, windows, and roofs.
If a room’s losing too much heat, a problem with the insulation may be the case. Insulating your roof and wall is a great way to keep your room heated for long.
Additionally, for the windows, you can apply double-glazing glasses. These double-glazing glasses have argon gas in between them. This can stabilize the temperature in a room. On top of that, it reduces sound from the outside by almost 40%.
Blower Capacity
This is an aspect of the furnace which is super important. The blower capacity of the furnace dictates the amount of CFM you’ll have. 1 ton of blower can produce up to 450 CFM.
Additionally, knowing the modulation settings of a furnace really helps with the calculation.
For instance, a 40-50% modulated furnace can blow more strongly at 100%. So generally, you should calculate the CFM at 100% modulation.
Sometimes the blower may be modulated at 100% and not output that much power. The most common reason in such cases is that the blower motor draws little amps. You can fix it easily though!
FAQs
What Happens if Ductwork is Undersized?
Undersized ducts can cause static pressure to build up. Then, this static pressure will be the source of noises coming from the HVAC. Usually, the pressure is an indicator that something is wrong. Replacing ductwork with properly sized ducts can solve the problem!
Do Registers Restrict Airflow?
Yes, registers can easily restrict airflow. Registers have the main purpose of being a middleman from the HVAC system to the room. Also, since registers are in the open, some registers are designed aesthetically. These registers usually have bad grillwork. Bad grill work restricts airflow.
Should Floor Vents be Open or Closed in Winter?
Floor vents should be open in winter, but the lower vents only. You should focus on closing upper vents and opening lower vents in winter. In summer, you should focus on closing lower vents and opening upper vents. If you keep both vents open, the ventilation will be messed up in temperature.
Summing Up
This is the end of this article. Hopefully, now you know how many CFM per register are needed for your home.
HVAC tech with over 30 years of experience. Retired and doing repair work on the side around Madison County, AL.