Moving that vent to wall is possible but quit expensive and not a diy project. There are options for grills and I suggest installing a filter holder beneath new grill to prevent objects falling into return.

The house has been renovated before and has had air conditioning and forced air heating. This vent only takes air it. Does not blow air out when we use our Air con etc.

This is the basement where the vent connects to the furnace. the First one is directly below the vent (which I have an inside picture of in op) and the second picture is where it runs into and this connects to the furnace through the large vent above the white pipe

We’ve been in touch with some HVAC technicians but with all the pandemic closures we haven’t been able to get anyone in to take a look.

This grate is a unfiltered return, the duct drops down to furnace in basement and you likely have a filter before the furnace.

It's not that you can't do as you suggest in moving this to up on the wall, however that wall is probably 4 inches thick, so using the wall cavity in this instance as a return would create a 'restriction' in air flow. That restriction can cause all sorts of new issues and problems.

Most of the time the issues will come when the system is under duress. (high heat load or high cooling load) --- erratic system functioning due to the lack of return air.

It is really in your best interest to pose this problem to a licensed HVAC contractor with an on site visual inspection. I don't think it is worth turning this problem into bigger even more challenging problems.

From the pictures it looks like the house has been retrofitted with a modern condensing furnace. If that is covered by a warranty and you go in making changes to things --- that will likely void your warranty.

Another reason to consult a licensed HVAC contractor in your area.

I service the Katy, Texas area.

Thank you! We’ll wait until we can get someone to come in and have a look before deciding what to do.

When you get an HVAC contractor on board, have them look at the feasibility of replacing the large central floor vent with multiple return vents that provide the same return capacity (for example, one in each bedroom, living room, family room, etc.) . Having an air return in each bedroom provides better overall air circulation, especially if anyone wants to sleep with the bedroom door closed.

Bruce

Thanks for the tip!

My son just bought an old home with this exact problem - so thanks everyone for all the tips I am forwarding to him!

Hi all,

Having the same issue in our 1905 house. Don't think will be able to move the intake to anywhere else, for now, so will be looking into options of finding better cover and a filter so it doesn't get that dirty inside. Can't find much yet. Thank you for posting the question and thanks all for the tips.

Best!

I’ve a big floor air intake grill too, so I used straightened paper clips to hold a filter to the underside of the grill and change it monthly. And as gross as it gets in a month I can’t imagine all that stuff going into the rest of the system.

And if you decide to move it, what are you going to do about the big hole in the floor?

Yes you have to have a filter! inthink i read it can tear it up w out one it even says a dirty one is better than not having one at all

The area w the drop down edge … measure that thats where your filter goes! buy the cheap ones they are best so they say the other thicker ones make your system work harder and cost more on power bill

Be sure you research and test the difference between Registers and Returns. The return ducts in a forced air system are most important to maintain, as they provide fresh air to your system. They should not be blocked or altered without a professional inspection as this can damage your blower motor, and also effect the flow of air causing your furnace to run longer. The furnace itself has a filter to clean the air. as long as you maintain a clean filter, you should be good.