Never seen this before

[oldwino]

I’m not a HVAC guy but I have Never seen this before. Seems the air return would pick up all kinds of cooking orders, grease, etc
What do you experts say?

 

[Jackfre]

Expert? Why I blush...and I don't blush at much, but yes it is bad practice to locate a return in the kitchen...or the bathroom.

 

[brewchief]

Unless it changed with the latest code cycle that would be against code here, no returns in kitchens or bathroom's. It's possible that grill is hooked up to an exhaust fan but given the type of grill and placement i doubt it.

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[brownbagg]

with alot of hvac handling units be placed in attics, why would you not see item like this, although most are in hallways.

 

[rlitman]

Is it actually a return? I've put those grilles over ceilings that were damaged by overhead plumbing. Nobody but an HVAC tech would think it was out of place, and it makes future service easier. Hidden in plain sight.

 

[larry4406]

Unless it changed with the latest code cycle that would be against code here, no returns in kitchens or bathroom's. It's possible that grill is hooked up to an exhaust fan but given the type of grill and placement i doubt it.

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+1.

My first thought was a makeup air unit due to kitchen hood cfm. However I doubt that microwave has enough oomph to require it.

In my area when kitchen hoods exceed 400 cfm makeup air is required. In the one county I was building they even require the makeup air grill be within 15’ of the appliance being served so all our kitchens with “large” hoods require the same style grill in the kitchen proper.

Perhaps that builder installed makeup air as cya in a spec build.

If truly an HVAC return I would agree poor placement.

 

[oldwino]

This is the only grate in the house that could be a return

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Is it actually a return? I've put those grilles over ceilings that were damaged by overhead plumbing. Nobody but an HVAC tech would think it was out of place, and it makes future service easier. Hidden in plain sight.

That is what access panels are for, not return grilles...

Any HVAC design that places a return in a kitchen or bathroom is VERY poorly engineered. I'd hate to see what other bad practices were used.

Tommy

 

[dogdog]

That kitchen looks new, renovated.... that might be some other room before the renovation ? I thought it was about those puzzling cabinets