[rkhpapa]

I just bought a new house with a cold air return RIGHT in the middle of the dining room wall. The builder says it can't be moved because of the location of the chase on the other side of the wall. I don't know the standard sizes, but it looks to be about 12 x 18.
To keep my wife happy, I'd like to find a way to cover it while still allowing air flow.
Is there some way that I can cover it with a painting or something as long as I use standoffs to allow the air to flow around/behind the frame?
Thanks,
Rich

 

[joecaption]

The unit needs that air flow or it will freeze up.
No one's there to see it but in some cases it can be relocated, or at least have it on the other side of that wall.
Any local HVAC company should be able to advise you.

 

[AllanJ]

Would you use standoffs to hold the picture or mirror or TV set at least 2-1/2 inches away from the wall and also add another return air register somewhere else?

 

[beenthere]

Maybe if he standoffs held the painting 12 to 14 inches from the grille.

 

[old_squid]

12 x 18 = 216 square inches

Put something in front of the grill as long as the amount of free space you create behind the "something" allows for 216 square inches of free air space for the air to move through. Keep in mind though, that is in all directions, not just height and width, but also in depth.

It'd be the same as taking your average 36" x 80" door frame and hiding it behind something that was only 1" away. Yup! You can't see it anymore and the wife is happy....... but good luck trying to get through the door. Same applies for the air that needs to get to that grill.

 

[AllanJ]

To have the 216 square inches of free space and no additional return vent the picture or TV set would have to be 3-5/8 inches away from the wall with the existing return ventl.

 

[ahrens]

Would you not be able to make it a baseboard instead of a highwall return.... should just be a matter of closing off the old return and cutting a return hole, just above or into the baseboard. Depending on how they have everything set up

 

[beenthere]

To have the 216 square inches of free space and no additional return vent the picture or TV set would have to be 3-5/8 inches away from the wall with the existing return ventl.

Return grille with only a 3 5/8" clearance to a picture, would not be able to get enough air. It wouldn't reach the center of the grille.