Vents should not be blocked with furniture. If you place furniture on top of a vent, you run the risk of drying out the wood and ruining an expensive sofa or armoire. You may also increase the cost of your utility bill or prematurely wear out your furnace or air conditioner by making it work harder.

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

Can you put furniture in front of vents?

Putting a couch or chair in front of a return air vent will completely block the airflow into the return air vent, so you can’t do that. The return air vent would not be obstructed by some furniture, such as end tables or shelving that is open on all sides and bottom.

Can covering a vent cause a fire?

A Risk of FireWhen a vent is blocked, the most obvious and dangerous result is a fire.

Can I put sofa over vent?

The airflow will simply be diverted to alternate vents as a result. The reduced flow from the one you covered would dwarf any increase in those two vents. That room’s heat would be reduced by 33%, and the other two would gain only 4% flow.

Is it bad to cover vents?

The heat exchanger may be damaged.It’s possible that a lack of airflow in your heat exchanger could lead to cracks and the release of carbon monoxide if pressure builds up at vents that have been covered.