In process of building a new 2-story construction SFH. 2nd-story floor plan w/ furnace located close to master bedroom and another bedroom: https://imgur.com/a/mFMATGj
Builder is giving us preference on where to put a single ceiling return vent (20″x25″ filter size) and attic access. Originally attic access was located in master closet but we decided against it due to insulation falling down onto clothing when we need to go into the attic. We came up with 2 options that might work better.
Our main concern is noise coming from return since our current house has one near the bedrooms which can be loud. Our other concern is whether putting the return “too far” away from the furnace may decrease its efficiency and/or increase workload.
For option #1: we figured w/ return away from the master bedroom, there is less noise, but it is then close to two other bedrooms. Contractor suggested return and attic would be farther away and “out of sight” from the 2nd-story stairway since he thought if it’s too close, it could be an eyesight.
For option #2, we thought placing the return in a more “central” area outside the bathroom might be best since it’s not next to ANY bedrooms. Then the attic access could be located in between the two bedrooms since we normally do not see it. However, I wasn’t sure if putting it outside a bathroom is good idea and whether it may be affected due to moisture/humidity/smell coming from the bathroom doors; is this a concern?
What is the recommendation on where we should place the two? (Feel free to suggest other areas as well on best possible placement).