What happens if you block a return air vent?

Blocking air return vents causes your system to work harder, as there is less air flow to move the air back to the furnace. This continued strain on the HVAC system can lead to a decrease in performance and more HVAC repairs down the road.

Is it OK to block return vents?

It's important not to block your return air vent because your HVAC system needs constant return air to work properly. Blocked air return ducts will cause your system to lose energy efficiency and cause premature failure of your HVAC system.

What happens if you block the air return?

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. Such a condition normally requires a complete system replacement.

Can you cover up an air return vent?

While you should have a filter on your air return vent to prevent too much dust or moisture from entering your air system and recirculating back to you, you should never actually cover a return air vent. Keep furniture and even curtains at least 10” away from the vent opening in order to allow for proper air flow.

Can you partially block a return air vent?

air ducts are getting proper circulation. 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.

What happens if you block an air vent?

Is it OK to put furniture in front of a 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.

Are return air vents necessary?

Return air vents are an important part of your HVAC system. These vents allow the air that is in your home to return to the system for heating or cooling in order to maintain the proper temperature in the home.

Can covering a vent cause a fire?

Fire Hazard

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

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.

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.

How important is cold air returns?

The return registers draw stale air into the ductwork, where it's pulled through the filter to capture dust and debris and then delivered back to the HVAC equipment for reconditioning. However, the most important function of the cold air return registers is ensuring ample airflow through the HVAC system.

Does each room need a return vent?

While it is a myth that air return grilles are required in each and every room in the house, it is definitely necessary to have more than one of these grilles installed at strategic places in the house. The most important place to have these would be the bedroom.

Should cold air returns be sealed?

Return air ducts must be sealed and unobstructed — Sealing return air ducts is just as important as sealing supply ducts. Sealing all duct section connections with mastic, a specialized rubbery sealant, or with metal tape prevents air leaks.

How many return air vents should a house have?

Ideally, every room except the kitchen and bath should have its own return air grille. At the very least, each level of the house should have one. Even so, many homes were built with just one or even no return ducts in an attempt to cut costs.

Why does my return vent smell?

Unfortunately, mold or mildew growth from moisture in the air may be the root cause of the smell. As mold grows inside return air ducts, the air flowing through the ducts carries a musty odor to your rooms. These smells may cause headaches or aggravate health issues such as asthma or allergies.

How do I know if my return vent is working?

Try this simple test when your HVAC system is running: get a piece of tissue paper and dangle it about six inches from one of the return vents. You should be able to see it being gently pulled towards the vent. Next, place it up against return vent and see if the air suction holds it in place.

How do I block a room vent?

Place the vent plate face-down on a flat surface and line the edges of the wood up with the edges of the section of grates. Then, tape the wood to the back of the vent plate using a strong tape, like duct tape. Tape all 4 sides of the piece of wood to the vent plate so it's secure.

How do you cap off air ducts?

Hardware stores carry end caps, or you can fabricate a cap for your air duct yourself. Use a metal sheet and cut it according to the size of the duct, allowing at least one inch in excess for the edge. Once you have the cap, you just put it on the air duct.

Can you block a cold air return vent?

When you block any cold air return throughout your HVAC system, the whole thing has to work harder – and the results you get are nowhere near as efficient. These little vents provide a return air supply to your air handler or blower compartment. They need to be unblocked to ensure air flows freely through the system.

Why is cold air coming out of my return vent?

So why is cold air coming out of your vents? It is most likely a leaky duct system—but you should have your home's heating efficiency checked out by an HVAC professional.

Does every return vent need a filter?

In general, it is recommended to have an air filter in every return vent (as long as you choose the one of the right size and thickness). The filters will improve the air quality in your house and will protect the HVAC equipment from dust, pollen, pet dander, and hair.

Is it OK to cover a floor vent with a bed?

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 a house have too many return air vents?

Having several return vents (ideally one in every room, but even two or three is better than just one) creates consistent air pressure. If you have one return vent, your home is fine. Keep the doors to each room open so air can properly circulate.