return over range in kitchen - InspectionNews

wes owens · #1 (**permalink**) 04-16-2007, 10:37 PM

Any idea why a return was installed over the range with another return only 3ft. away in the hall behind the kitchen wall?

Tim Moreira · #2 (**permalink**) 04-16-2007, 10:43 PM

Wes,

I've seen some custom homes that had 4 or 5 returns spread out in the house.

I would think that that is a poor choice of locataions for that one.

I guess if you forget to turn on the exhause hood, the return will catch it for you if your air is on

Richard Moore · #3 (**permalink**) 04-17-2007, 01:07 AM

Looks like just a re-circulating fan at that BI micro-wave(?). If that's their answer to venting moisture and it's actually connected to the return air...then just plain dumb and unsanitary.

Although...you could probably make soup from the furnace filter about once a month! Yummy!

BARRY ADAIR · #4 (**permalink**) 04-17-2007, 05:23 AM

At least the filter is accessible.
Try this one with reversed access for filter replacement.
2 years without a filter didn't help the evap. coils much.

Jerry Peck · #5 (**permalink**) 04-17-2007, 11:06 PM

From the IRC.
- SECTION M1602

- - RETURN AIR

- - M1602.2 Prohibited sources. Outdoor and return air for a forced-air heating or cooling system shall not be taken from the following locations:

- - - 4. A closet, bathroom, toilet room, kitchen, garage,
mechanical room, furnace room or other dwelling unit.

Byron Lentz · #6 (**permalink**) 04-18-2007, 04:13 AM

I was thinking what Jerry said, besides, it's just a bad idea. Write it up.

wes owens · #7 (**permalink**) 04-18-2007, 04:50 AM

Thanks guys.

Brian E Kelly · #8 (**permalink**) 04-18-2007, 06:43 AM

Return air runs in any kitchen, bathroom are not generally done by professional HVAC guys. Who wants the smell of tonights fish dinner in the bedrooms? That is generally the reason for no RA runs in these area's, not counting dad's refreshing smells from the reading room.

Tim Moreira · #9 (**permalink**) 04-18-2007, 12:16 PM

Quote:

That is generally the reason for no RA runs in these area's, not counting dad's refreshing smells from the reading room.

So that's why the bathrooms are supposed to have exhaust fans???

(that moisture bit about taking showers is just secondary

)

Jerry Peck · #10 (**permalink**) 04-18-2007, 03:47 PM

Why do you think bathroom exhaust fans are commonly referred to as "fart fans"?

Tim Moreira · #11 (**permalink**) 04-18-2007, 07:19 PM

assooo grasshopper

Richard Rushing · #12 (**permalink**) 04-18-2007, 11:01 PM

"assooo"
Somebody is talking bad about grasshopper...

Rich

Jerry Peck · #13 (**permalink**) 04-19-2007, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Rushing

"assooo"
Somebody is talking bad about grasshopper...

Rich

Nah, there would be an 'h' in there then ...

Frank Kunselman · #14 (**permalink**) 04-26-2007, 10:23 AM

The smell has nothing to do with return air ducts not permitted in kitchens, nor the filter becoming a grease trap.

The picture is self explanitory. Where do you think the smoke and flames from a grease fire on the range will immediately go? The kitchen fire quickly becomes a fully involved fire.

The Mechanical Code prohibits return air ducts within 10 feet of a cooking surface. My pesumption as to why the same language is non-existant in the Res Code is few 'kitchens' have 10 feet in any direction from the range.

Brian E Kelly · #15 (**permalink**) 04-27-2007, 10:56 AM

If the code stated that no RA grills in the kitchen area's only then I would agree with you, but the code states closets,bathrooms and there are very low percentages that a fire will start in these places. Another point is that if this was to stop the spread of fire then there should be a fire damper in the supply air registers in the kitchen area.