Can you put a table over a return vent?

The short answer to this question is "No." Vents are there to provide for a necessary free flow of air. Block that flow, and your home will run sub-optimally, and you could even cause damage to your HVAC system.

Can you put furniture over return vent?

Home Inspection Insider explains that an air return vent needs 6-12 inches of space in front of it, and recommends that you do not put large, bulky furniture like couches and bookshelves in front of an air return vent.

Can you put a table in front of an air return?

For example, you can't place a couch or chair or any piece of furniture that has a back into it in front of a return air vent because it will block all airflow into the return air vent. Some furniture, such as end tables or shelving open on all sides and bottom, would not obstruct the airflow into the return air vent.

What happens if you put something over an air vent?

Is Covering an Air Vent Bad? Covering an air vent can be very bad for your house. It disrupts the airflow and causes a pressure build-up of air which can lead to your HVAC unit being damaged. This damage can cause carbon monoxide to leak into your house.

How much clearance do you need above a return vent?

Vent Clearance

All your air vents need at least six inches of clearance from all furniture, drapes or other household items to ensure proper system breathing.

Can you put furniture in front of a return air vent?

How do you arrange furniture around floor vents?

If you want or need to place your furniture over a vent, there are options. First off, anything you place atop the vent should sit several inches above it, if possible. If that is the case, and you have room for it, you can use a diverter to redirect the air from the bottom of your furniture.

Is covering an air vent a fire hazard?

Perhaps the most obvious (and most dangerous) result of a blocked vent is that it will cause a fire.

What will blocking a cold air return do?

In the heating cycle, blocked cold air returns can cause the heat exchanger inside the blower compartment to store too much heat and eventually crack. If the cracks are too large, the furnace can emit carbon monoxide into your home's air.

Can I cover the vent in my room?

You could mess with the air flow.

Just because you cover the vent, it doesn't mean your HVAC system knows that. It will keep pushing air to those vents, and if they're closed, you could cause a buildup of air pressure and insufficient airflow which could damage your system.

How far away should furniture be from a return vent?

Keep couches, chairs and other large pieces of furniture at least 10 inches away from your cold air return vents. Avoid covering your cold air return vents with curtains, drapes or rugs. Always check your air filters and replace them when needed.

Can you partially cover a cold air return?

Most residential cooling and heating systems operate as closed-loop systems. In a closed-loop system, air returns play an essential role, and it is important not to block them. Blocking a cool air return means a risk of freezing the air conditioner coils, causing a restriction of air flow.

Can you put a piano in front of a cold air return?

Cold air return is not really a problem since it is pulling the air in, but keeping a piano near a vent blowing hot or cold air can damage your piano. FInd the place in your home that has moderate temperature and humidity. Around 45-50% humidity is the ideal environment for your piano.

Should you cover cold air returns in winter?

Changing With The Seasons

In the same way that hot air rises, cold air stays lower. So when you're trying to heat your home, your lower return vents should be open to collect the cold air and your upper return vents should be closed to keep the heat from escaping.

Should you cover cold air returns in summer?

Because hot air rises and cold air falls, you need to adjust your return vents with the seasons. In the summer, your lower vents should be closed and your upper vents should be open. In the winter, your upper vents should be closed and your lower vents should be open.

Can heat from a vent start a fire?

Fires very rarely originate directly within a duct -- though it can happen. Instead, fires may occur through electrical issues, candles, or even children playing with matches. However, even though the fire doesn't start in the air duct, it can be fueled significantly by the air duct.

Do air ducts get hot?

The air gets heated up to 170 F. You shouldn't be able to comfortably touch the ductwork, but, at the same time, nothing bad is going to happen if you have a properly functioning HVAC system.

What is the purpose of a return air vent?

Return vents: What is a return vent? These vents suck the air from each room and send it back to the air conditioning or heating system. Return vents tend to be bigger than supply vents, and you won't feel any air coming from them. When an HVAC system delivers air to a room, it increases that room's air pressure.

How much clearance does a floor vent need?

Floor vents should have 6 to 10 inches of clearance from other fixtures to avoid blocking airflow. Air moves much more freely in and out of your HVAC system when you have more space.

What can I cover my air vent with?

Find a collection of pictures, prints of your favorite art, award ribbons, or other small trinkets that can fit over the surface of the vent. Attach or tie the items to the slats or bars of your air vent to keep them secure. As you arrange these decorations, make sure that you're not covering the vent completely.

What does a return vent look like?

You can identify return vents by turning on the system fan and holding your hand or a piece of paper up. If the paper is pulled toward the vent or you feel a suction effect, it's a return vent.

Can a return air vent be in a closet?

Return air shall not be taken from a closet, bathroom, toilet room, kitchen, garage, mechanical room, boiler room, furnace room or unconditioned attic.

Why can't a piano be on an outside wall?

The longstanding recommendation has been to avoid placing a piano against external walls since the temperature fluctuations will make it go out of tune. In today's modern, well-insulated homes, this is less of an issue.

Where should the return vent be located?

Return air vents are generally located near the center of the homes. Older and newer homes often have one register per floor, but homes built from 1960-1990 may have a cold return air vent in each room.