No! That is a return vent. It feeds the air to your furnace or air handler.
Even with proper space, a big, flat piece of furniture can still restrict air flow enough to stop the flow of air back into your HVAC system. Open or backless shelving may be placed in front of an air return vent, but do not drape any fabric on the shelves as that can get pulled against the vent due to the flow of air.
In some cases, blocking the airflow can also lead to premature wear on the HVAC system. Given the potential problems, avoid putting a bed over a floor vent. If a bed must be positioned over a floor vent, consider one that's at least 18 inches high with an open base.
Safe Distance: Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from any furniture or flammable materials.
You should place all objects, including fabrics, cushions, or wooden items, 6 to 12 inches away from the heaters. These can easily catch fire when exposed to sustained heat.
Keep furniture and even curtains at least 10” away from the vent opening in order to allow for proper air flow. It's important to keep the area in front of your return air vents clear for a few reasons. If you don't, it reduces the efficiency of your air system and causes it to use more energy.
The general rule is to ensure the furnace is at least 30 inches away from all walls in the room. Objects and boxes near your furnace should stay three feet away from it. This clearance is important to allow service experts to work on your furnace comfortably.
Proper Use
Keep the space heater at least three feet from anything that can burn, such as furniture, fabrics and decorations. “More than half (53 percent) of all home heating fire deaths resulted from fires that began when heating equipment was too close to things that can burn,” reports the NFPA.
If you have an open fireplace, it's important to make sure that the couch is far enough away from the fire so that it doesn't get too hot and at risk of fire. But if you have a closed fireplace, there's less risk of the couch getting too hot. The advised distance between a fireplace and your furniture is three feet.
Recommended Height. Installing your thermostat at about 52-60 inches above the floor is advised to avoid skewed readings due to rising heat. Away From Obstructions. Your thermostat should have unobstructed air circulation, so avoid placing furniture in front of or beneath it, keeping it clear of curtains and shelves.
The myth behind closing your vents
Unfortunately, this is a common myth. Closing HVAC circulation to certain rooms may result in issues with your ducts. It creates a less efficient heating and cooling system and can be dangerous.
You most likely thought covering your air vents would certainly save you energy, but it does the opposite. Considering that this could damage your cooling and heating system, fractures and other damage could allow air to leave your air ducts and cost you much more in energy bills.
A lost item can potentially block airflow, collect dust and debris, or even cause a smell of burning material if the object gets too close to the furnace.
Putting a bed over a floor vent doesn't just affect safety—it can also mess with your home's heating and cooling system. This can lead to discomfort and even higher energy bills.
Generally, a clearance of at least 12 inches (30 cm) is advisable. This allows for proper air circulation, preventing the desk from blocking the heat output and reducing the risk of overheating.
If they're electric, you want to keep anything potentially combustible several inches away to avoid a fire hazard. Hot water or steam can get quite warm (not to combustion temperatures), but might damage fine furniture or warp plastics if they are too close.
Almost every insurance company and government-sponsored organization recommends placing furniture at least three feet from a fireplace. Any closer than three feet, and the risk of an ember landing on a flammable material increases dramatically – even for fireplaces with screens.
The space above a fireplace mantel is too high for comfortable TV viewing. The center of the screen should be at eye level when you are sitting and facing the screen. Unless your fireplace is unusually low, its height will likely conflict with the optimal viewing height and angle for the TV.
There is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning when you sleep in a room where a conventional coal or gas fire, a log burner, a cooker, or a back burner is left on overnight. You cannot feel the early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, so it is important that you protect yourself.
Sofas, chairs, and tables should be positioned away from the vents to prevent obstruction. Rearrange Furniture Layout: If possible, consider rearranging your furniture layout to optimize airflow. Place large furniture pieces, such as couches and beds, away from air vents, directing the airflow towards open spaces.
Simple answer, you should not place anything in front of your heater as it is not safe; this includes any kind of furniture, drapes, paper, bedding, and people.
The NFPA recommends the following safety precautions when using heating equipment: Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment such as a portable space heater, fireplace, wood-burning stove or furnace.
With this in mind, our recommendation is to avoid storing anything on top of or near your furnace. Even seemingly harmless items like boxes, clothing, or other household items can obstruct the airflow. That can interfere with the operation of your electric or gas furnace.