On Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at 1:24:30 PM UTC-5, cln wrote:
AFAIK they don't usually put returns in an unfinished basement due to dust
and typically colder air. (I could be wrong, but that was my understanding.)

Our plan is to finish the basement, but valid point.



[Taxed and Spent , thank for the link]

Well, until it's finished and used, you don't want to be putting
returns down there. Even worse, with a return and no outlets in
an unfinished basement, it will pull air from outside, interfere
with any gas water heater venting, furnace venting, etc.