Cold Air Return Relocation

3/17/2012 at 10:09:30 PM

Electrically, it could cause troubles with the temperature reading of your thermostat causing it to not detect room temperatures, but the draft temperature inside the wall. you should atleast relocate the thermostat.

3/18/2012 at 6:31:42 PM

Yes it is possible to move the cold air return over to a new stud cavity. However, you will have to make sure there is a header above the second floor new cold air opening as well as ensure the stud wall plates are opened up to ensure continuous air floor from the second floor to the cold air return duct in the basement. It can be done but there is a fair bit of work to ensure proper air flow.

Regards,

Kingsway Construction Inc

Glenn Rosborough

3/18/2012 at 8:14:04 PM

Thanks very much for the replys.

Rather than moving the opening to a new cavity (& avoid using the run with the thermostat), can it be combined with another cold air return run?

Currently the 2 cold air returns sit beside each other in 2 separate 16" stud runs (one for main floor, one for second floor), can I move them into one? or is this bad practice for cold air return flow.

In total I have one big (30") cold air return, and a small (16") cold air return on the main floor, and 3 small 16" cold air returns on the 2nd floor.

The ones I am asking about to combine is the small main floor one & one of the 3 upstairs.

Thanks.