I am currently tackling a kitchen remodel and have a little situation with a return-air (for a forced-air heat system). I am replacing a kitchen "peninsula" with an "island"--leaving less room for the return air.

The return air (one of 3 in the house) is made up of 2 cut-outs in the main return-air duct, which is about two feet away--between adjacent floor joists. Each of the cut-outs looks to be roughly 3x8". A single wall grille serves both (thru holes in the flooring), covering both joist spaces.

So that said, 2 questions--and any help is VERY much appreciated:

Can I count these as 2 separate returns and put ONE of these on the new island--say as a 2x12" (thereby preserving the approx 24 sq. in. of the cut-out)--and put the other one under one of the kitchen cabinets (about the same 2x12" size)? This would probably represent the easiest solution given the locations of everything. (The kitchen cabinets are 4' away from the island).

By the way, this return serves the whole kitchen/dining level.

Thanks again!