[Shazam]

Originally Posted by photon

You're sure that code dictates a cold air return in every room? Because one of our bedrooms in our newly built house doesn't have one. And that room does get colder at night than the rest (makes sense). We haven't talked to the builder about it much yet as we're just getting to our three month repair stuff now.

You've gotta get that checked out.

If you read the pamphlet from the city of calgary re: basement developments, it states that finished rooms must have a cold air return at ground level. When the inspector came to my place to check the rough in, he said it is rarely followed and never enforced.

Yeah, putting in a cold air return in the basement at ground level is a huge PITA. But if he wants a really comfortable basement, he should follow code, as that code is there to provide a comfort space for the residents.

Also, a bathroom is not considered a finished room, and neither is a den or office.....just bedrooms and family room.

Bathrooms should have an external vent. Again, I don't think it's required but it certainly makes the room more comfortable. Most dens I've seen have cold air returns, even if code doesn't require it.

Some houses are heated with infloor heating, or hot water systems, so saying that all developments have to have return ducts are somewhat misleading

If you're looking for comfort, you have to have to cold air returns, no matter what the heating system. And in Calgary, there's no way in-floor heating would provide enough heat to warm a room.