Keep large, bulky furniture away from air return vents and consider replacing or painting the vent cover to update a room without harming your HVAC system. Open-backed pieces of furniture may be options to place in front of an air return vent, so long as they do not obstruct airflow when objects are placed on them.
No, it's not safe to put furniture over the vents, especially if the vents are in the floor. This can affect the heating and air conditioning.
The heat from the vent can pose a fire hazard, while the moisture released through the vent can make the mattress an attractive target for mold, mildew, and pests.
If furniture or drapes are blocking your heating vents, you're making your furnace work harder than it should. Blocked vents increase air pressure in your ductwork, which can create cracks and leaks. Clear vents ensure every room in your home gets good circulation so your system can work as designed.
Covering a floor vent with your bed can create a dangerous fire risk. This seemingly harmless act can lead to serious bedroom fire safety issues.
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. That pressure buildup can cause greater pressure on your warmth exchanger and cause it to crack.
If you block an air vent with your furniture, with tape, or otherwise, you will negatively impact your HVAC system and the air quality and comfort of your home.
When you close off the vents in a room, you are completely blocking airflow to that space. That's the point right? Here's why it is a problem: If that air isn't passing through the vent, it is being backed up in the ductwork, which causes pressure to build up within the system.
Allow Sufficient Clearance: It's generally recommended to leave at least 6 to 12 inches of clearance between your furniture and air vents. This clearance ensures that air can flow freely and reach all corners of the room. Sofas, chairs, and tables should be positioned away from the vents to prevent obstruction.
Putting furniture over vents is a bad idea. Blocking the flow of warm or cool air makes your heating and air conditioning system work that much harder, and reduces its effectiveness. Placing your bed or couch over a vent can also make it feel like you're sitting or sleeping in an oven (or a refrigerator).
Block Off the Vent: You can block the vent by placing a piece of furniture at the opening or purchasing a magnetic damper that's strong enough to stick to the steel on the wall or ceiling. Plastic sheeting can be placed over the opening as well. You can also install a vent grille filter.
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.
There are many types of wood used for vent covers, but most often you'll find wood covers made of hardwoods, like oak, maple, and cherry. Sometimes you'll get a decorative wood vent cover that has a hardwood “body” with a thin veneer “face” so you can match to your existing materials if you plan to stain.
Closing Your Vents May Damage Your System:
Leaks that that start or get worse in your duct work can negatively impact the performance of your HVAC system. The added pressure that closed vents cause, can also lead to cracks in your heat exchanger.
Make sure that furniture like dressers, nightstands, and other pieces that could cover the vent are placed over it. When placing a run in the room, they should not overlap the vent. Again, these also need at least 6-12 inches of clearance and would work best if left totally open.
A build up of pressure can be caused by covered vents. This could lead to a cracked heat exchanger which in turn can lead to leaking carbon monoxide. Covering your vents can damage your HVAC system and cause cracks that could allow air to escape your ducts. This can lead to higher energy bills.
Most chairs and couches are elevated on legs and should allow for airflow. Avoid covering floor vents with rugs, carpets, or heavy drapery that would prevent airflow.
You want a good 10” between large, dense furniture for optimal airflow from a floor vent or any other vent. Covering a floor vent with furniture will simply diminish the efficiency of air flow and temperature control in the space.
Hold the sheet magnet over the vent so all of the edges line up. Then, press the magnet onto the vent — it should easily stick to the vent. To re-open the vent, all you need to do is pull off the sheet magnet.
Overall, our findings suggest venting to another person can help us alleviate stress and negative emotions, but it can also make us feel worse.
The Impact of a Blocked Air Vent on Your HVAC System
Even one blocked vent in the home can cause an inefficiency in air flow, which means your HVAC system will likely have to work harder to achieve the desired temperature. The result may be a home that is riddled with uneven temperatures from room to room.
Use cardboard. Paper won't hold against the air pressure. Those vents just screw on and off. You could unscrew it, pull it down, cut a piece of cardboard to fit the opening, then screw it back up there.
Significant Fire Hazard
It is not widely known, but if there are not enough open vents in your home for heat to escape, it can build up in the ductwork and start a fire.