If you have cold air return vents in your living room, keep large furniture at least 10 inches away from it. Curtains, drapes, and rugs should not be used to cover the cold air return vents in your home. Always inspect and replace your air filters.

Silky Terrier Dog Breed Playing Aro... Silky Terrier Dog Breed Playing Around

Can you put furniture over a return vent?

It is important to place furniture over the vent, such as dressers, nightstands, and other items. The vent should not be obstructed by a run in the room. There must be at least 6-12 inches of clearance for these to work, and they are best when completely open.

What happens if you cover a return vent?

It’s more difficult for your system to move air back into the furnace when return vents are blocked. As a result, the HVAC system will wear down and require more repairs in the future.

Can you partially cover a return vent?

When used to conceal a return air vent, louvered shutters work similarly to louvered doors in that they do not obstruct air flow. Hang them over the return vent like a picture, or secure them to the wall with hinges so you can open and close the shutters when it’s time to replace your return vent filters.

How do you cover return air vents?

You can make a beautiful vent cover by painting a door mat like this one and attaching it to the wall. A simple shutter can hide an unsightly vent! Depending on the size of your vent, you may be able to find a suitable replacement.

Can covering a vent cause a fire?

A Risk of FireA blocked vent can result in a fire, which is the most obvious (and dangerous) consequence.