How to Soundproof a Return Air Transfer Grill (Above Door Air Vent)

If you’re in the process of soundproofing a room, you might be in a little pickle if you have to deal with an above door air pathway transfer grill, most commonly referred to as an overhead door air vent or some call it a return air transfer grill.
"An air transfer grille provides an opening from the bedroom to the hallway for air to return back to the air conditioning air handler or furnace when the supply register (vent) in the ceiling of the bedroom is blowing conditioned air into the room.
If it wasn’t there and the bedroom door was closed, the only way for air to return to the air handler would be through the narrow undercut slot below the door. The door undercut does not provide a sufficient opening, so the room would become somewhat pressurized and would not receive as much conditioned air as rooms that had an open return air flow." McGarryandMadsen.com
You can completely block the vent off, but then you’re left with a room that lacks the proper amount of return air coming in from the hallway or the adjacent room.
Your next option is to try to reduce the noise coming from an overhead door air vent. This Video will show you just that, with a couple options as to how to soundproof an above door air vent.
The First option is to install a Noise Reducing Hunnycomb Insert from Tamarack Technologies.
Tamarack Technologies Return Air Pathways (Amazon Link) - amzn.to/2L7VvjY
The second option is to build a Sound Maze. I will explain how to build a sound maze that will still allow sufficient amounts of air through the air transfer grill into the next room while reducing the amount of noise coming into the room.
Full Article on How to Soundproof an Above Door Air Vent - soundproofguid...
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[@tjhessmon4327]

I would caution against using foam in transfer grills, as foam tends to capture air and contaminants, such as dust. Its better to use a filter, however be careful as too tight a filter will defeat the purpose of the transfer grille. which is to balance pressure within a room, moving it into return air.

[@soundproofguide]

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[@supreme84x]

None of the options are anywhere close to the size of my return vent above my door. Mine looks like it is 32" x 9.5" and the largest seems to be 14" on one dimension.

[@edlauren9434]

The reason for noisy air grills is a too high air velocity. Too high air velocity is a direct result of too high static pressure inside of the unit. Too high static pressure is a result of insufficient return ducts installed. Thus, you already have insufficient air return and instead of correcting air flow with additional ducts, you suggest to narrow the existing air return with muffles.....? Very clever! Keep in mind that your A/C unit doesn’t know that it doesn’t have sufficient amount of air to move. Your unit still burns the same amount of electricity as it was designed . However, it cannot produce the BTU amount as it was designed because of air flow restriction. In short, when you hear that whistling air grill noise you should know that it’s your money whistle to you before it goes to your utility company. Correcting air flow with additional return ducts will solve the problem. Using a muffler for your air grills will make your utility company happy, but it will not solve the issue.

[@osmanafshar7045]

The isn’t for a ducted vent.

[@kovidsonawane]

Completely agree on this.
I am facing a similar problem with my return duct. There are 4 vents provided and we have measured that vent 1 and 2 are handling the maximum return air (3,4 negligible). Now, vent 1 is creating a hissing noise and we don't want any noise. We are thinking about how to drop the intake at 1. Any suggestions ? @ed lauren

[@mrtoky34]

Great video and great solution! My Air return is at the dining room, next to the furnance motor fan, the grill size is 20x20. What Solution would you recommend? Thanks

[@PastelStudios]

from what i've read online the cardboard baffling isn't effective.

[@Tesseramous]

Looks like when you 'make a maze' you are limiting the surface area to the entry of the maze and cutting your cfm by about 80%

[@Rubyfire76]

The issue I have is that the air flow is very loud. You also mention building a maze but you don’t show how, or where to buy one.

[@xsteel3292]

Looks like the honeycomb baffle is not sold separately.

[@sanalatif227]

I want block noise from other room coming through connecting AC vent , hunnycomb could help in that ? If yes please share the link to biy

[@Kirby7601]

i kinda need this cause my dad has the tv so loud that it penetrates to my room even with the door closed

[@Iamhakeemomari]

I live In a dorm & I can hear every thing the person across the hall say because I guess our vents are connected to each other & I’m trying to reduce/block off the noise coming in my room how do I do that ?

[@soundproofguide]

If most of the noise comes from the vent, which is possible, you could build a small sound maze but only If the vent is just going from room to room. You can’t block the vent but building a sound maze will reduce noise without restricting air flow. Here’s a link for more details on sound mazes. soundproofguide.com/soundproof-home-ventilation-air-ducts/

[@Iamhakeemomari]

@@soundproofguide ok thanks a lot for the information!

[@richarddesisto1124]

Any air flow restrictions

[@soundproofguide]

Not as much If you have a sound maze.

[@jasonjack5915]

Be aware air would also be restricted

[@KarmeshMadhavi]

It will slow down the air flow.

[@notme2623]

Now you have a restriction. You need air flow to move freely back to air handler.... yo should make a bigger return.

[@edlauren9434]

Agreed!

[@nachoangulo2707]

What a god