Dave M

We have found our basement family room to be chilly for some time now, and I was going to install a cold air return myself. I am pretty handy and have done some ventilation work before. You tube is a good resource and I was ready to pursue it on my own but, my partner (she) coaxed me to try Francis Home Environment, who had replaced my furnace approx. three years ago and I was thoroughly satisfied with (the furnace and their work). I called Francis (this) Monday at about 1pm to see about getting an estimate for this job. They took my information and advised me that a representative would call me back. Trevor called the same day at about 2pm and left a message. I picked this up at 2:30pm and called back. Trevor answered and listened to my issue, noting the basics for the job with rough measurements for what was needed etc. He was very good on the phone and advised me, that this type of job was normally going for some $450. but, they had a promotion on now as work was slowing down and they could do it for $250. plus tax. He advised that they would also appreciate a review from me after the job was done. He asked when I would like to have them come, and I said this Wednesday if possible. Trevor advised that would be fine. Today (Wednesday) at app. 7:45am I received a call from Francis... advising that a rep. was on route. Some 15min. went buy and I heard a knock on my door. The rep. was Terry, who was wearing Francis (jacket with Francis logo) clothing and was ready to go to work. I thought it would be Trevor, who I had spoken with but that was not an issue. Terry was well turned out and very professional in his demeanor. He had everything with him to complete the job and brought extra, just in case. We quickly got down to the job in the basement and I pointed out what I was looking for in this job. There was a bit of a challenge as the ceiling height in the family room, where the cold air return vent was to be, was lower then the wall in the laundry/furnace room. This was due to the overhead heat and ventilation ductwork that is common in basement ceilings. I had (yesterday) gone through the laundry room and marked out the different height of the family room, which was 11" lower then the laundry room. With the aid of a Zircon, Stud Sensor, I had checked and marked out the locations of the 2x4" wood studs concerned (both sides and top) with 1/2" strips of green painters tape. Terry was very thorough and measured both walls from the doorway (in the main hallway) in preparation for cutting out the (drywall for the) cold air return in the family room. I was surprised that there was also a difference in the length of the two walls. The family room wall was longer then the laundry room, which was good because it allowed more room to centre the cold air return vent cover. Terry advised me that he had been doing this type of work for over 33 years and this is how he normally begins his work on cold air returns. Unfortunately we found another surprise in the wall, fibreglass insulation had been put in, for sound reduction. Terry was able to carefully pull this out in one piece however, we later found another piece in the upper portion (of the wall) on the other side. Terry cut a small 2" square pilot hole in this wall, to centre where the 6" vent/duct would go into the wall. He then felt for the top of the wood frame, to confirm there was one in place (as needed) and then cut the 6" hole (more precisely). Terry was able to fold the insulation in half and pull it out, through the 6" hole in one piece, which was a big relief as this chamber needs to be clear. Terry continued diligently with the (2) elbows (a 4 piece adjustable/rotatable elbow) that needed to be carefully joined from the hole in the wall up to the ceiling with a 4" spacer between them. He had to cut the sheet metal from the 5' duct work material, and crimp it around, with his crimping tool (were necessary). On this first piece one side needed to be crimped. Terry moved quickly and precisely with his work. I checked in on him when he was placing, holding up the two main 5' sections of duct/tubing and trying to put a (lower) second screw, in the metal strap (that secured around the duct, above and below) into the drywall. I pointed out to Terry the green tape, on the wall (indicating the location (s) of the stud in the wall) and helped him, support the duct (for both screws). The ducts were well secured into the corner of the wall and ceiling. At the end of this wall, two more elbows had to be configured to raise the duct 6" to go over some existing white PCV tubing,(venting from the furnace). This was done with a 16" length of duct attached. From here two more elbows had to be reconfigured to make a 90 degree turn to the right and lower the duct app 5" and line it up along with the white PCV tubing and the main cold air return box, (end ahead). Another 15" length of duct had to be cut to follow the PCV pipe which took a short turn to the right. This required the final elbow, to be shaped to match this curve. The final duct had to be cut to 3 1/2'. Terry had previously cut a 6" diameter hole into the left side, at the end, of the cold air return (sheet metal) box. He then carefully worked the 3 1/2' duct into the cold air return hole, which was a tight fit and fed it in further, so that he could pull it back to make the final connection, with the main line of ductwork completing the ductwork. Terry then rechecked his work and sealed both ends of the ductwork with silicone. He also cleaned up the worksite and vacuumed the floors of both rooms with his cordless vacuum. I found that Terry was very professional and thorough, through out the completion this job. It was evident that Terry had a lot of good experience. He did an excellent job, in a very timely manner. I strongly recommend Terry and Francis Home Environment services for their quality work. Thank you, Dave