Our house was built in 1979 and the heat registers (? Returns) in each room are placed on the same exterior wall, on either side of a window or door. We're planning a kitchen remodel, which will require moving one of the registers. Here's my question: Do both of the registers have to be on the same wall? If so, we need to move both of them to the other exterior wall. If not, maybe we can just move the one? Clear as mud, I'm sure.

Is it a big job to relocate a register? I'm just thinking about our budget.

Are these registers up and down and in line a "wall stack" and its hot out the bottom and A.C. out the top?
There is also a way to run the heat out under the cabinets toe kicks. Can you run your heat to see if one grill is a return? This would help.

Signed 21 boat

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Well, I turned on the heat, and both registers appear to be blowing hot air. I thought one of them was supposed to be a return? Also, there is no difference between the top of the register and the bottom. In fact, the bottom isn't even anchored to the floor. I can lift it up and see that they are really just sort of vented covers for holes in the floor. I really know nothing about HVAC, so I hope I've answered your question at least a little. I am curious about the return thing, though. Doesn't the return pull air out of a room? A contractor once told us that you need a vent and a return in each room. Neither of these appear to be "sucking" air.

Also, if we move one or both registers, could it potentially open a new can of worms with our heat pump? It is 30 years old.

It won't bother your heat pump. An air return is good in every room but many times in rehab or upgrades that's impossible. Usually one is located centrally. There's a lot of calc for a perfect system and even that not perfect
Are there shut off levers for the grills? Because the low should be for heat and the high for A.C. ( cold air drops) I guess the next question is can you see if the ducks to the grill is metal of flex duct or fiberglass ductboard?
How far do you need to move the registers?