We are having central heat installed in our house (1600 sq. ft.) The contractor says we only need 1 return, at the top of the stairs on the second floor. Does this sound reasonable?

~makes a face~

I would want my return from a room to be HEATed to be where the COLD air collects!

Chartre.

I have to agree, the only way that one return at the top of the stairs would work is if you always left the doors to all of your rooms open (not to mention the first floor???). I would reccomend at least one return per room.