Cold Air Return behind Cabinet

7 years ago

Trying to tackle my last challenge on finalizing my kitchen cabinets. Kitchen location has been moved, and the new cabinets will go in a spot where a cold air return exists in the floor right underneath but against the wall under the left most cabinet in this picture. (Which will be 20’ away from the stove).

We cannot move the cold air return due to load bearing walls, and we ideally need this to keep the balance in the house.

My thoughts are to place the last cabinet on the side 3” away from the wall, finish it with eggcrate style wood cold air return vent.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be great, as there does not seem to be many references to tackling this challenge.

Featured Answer

mennov
Original Author

7 years ago

I’m not sure if there’s a code about cold air returns in the kitchen, but I’ve seen it a few times mentioned as a no go. Might not be an IRC code, but just interpretation thereof.

Trying to make sure I maximize the return, my thoughts are that a 3x30 space behind the cabinet gives the largest clearance, and eliminates the cold air return from being in a space which would be considered kitchen (since technically the side should be considered hallway)

Hardest thing so far is not really finding much info on covering a cold air return with a cabinet, and where cold air returns can be placed in relationship to kitchen.

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Comments (7)

PRO
HALLETT & Co.
7 years ago
Firstly I presume there is no filter at this location. Your solution would be fine as would a return in the toe kick. Make sure the grill you use has the same clear area for air flow. A wood grill that you posted has roughly half the clear area as a comparably sized metal grill.
mennov
Original Author
7 years ago
Correct - no filter. The previous egg crate on the floor was 6x12, while putting one behind the cabinet would be 3x30.5 - so roughly the same.

I considered a toekick grill, but think it might not be as big, and could be considered to be in the kitchen. (Which might not matter since it’s more than 10’) from the stove.
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rantontoo
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Is there code about cold air returns in kitchens??? I guess it would make sense considering fire hazards.

I like the idea of a toe kick one best if you can get it to work. To get maximized heat flow from a floor air duct under my sink cab instead of nothing but a hole that heated my lower cabs more than the room, my carpenter built a wood chute for the cab to sit over. I am actually heating the kitchen now Instead of underneath/behind the cabs. If you did basically the same thing under both cabs after the pantry, would you get as much airflow space as you do now?
chispa
7 years ago
Not sure of you have sourced the grills, but I bought several from this company and I'm happy with the product.
https://www.classicgrills.com/

I also had this one bookmarked, but never used them:
https://www.steelcrestonline.com/
Elmer J Fudd
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
There shouldn't be a return vent in the kitchen. If your system is just marginal relative to the adequacy of return vents and return flow, put one in elsewhere.
PRO
Charles Ross Homes
3 years ago
Building codes vary from state to state. The International Residential Code (IRC) forms the core of most statewide building codes. The 2018 IRC section M1602.2.4 states:

Return air shall not be taken from a closet, bathroom, toilet room, kitchen, garage, mechanical room, boiler room, furnace room or unconditioned attic.

Exceptions:
1. 1.Taking return air from a kitchen is not prohibited where such return air openings serve the kitchen only, and are located not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) from the cooking appliances.