How to Move an A/C Vent to the Ceiling

Remove the screws that secure the vent to the wall with a Phillips head screwdriver. Pull the vent carefully from the wall opening and make sure not to tear it away from the end of the duct.

Use a utility knife to cut through any metal duct tape around the base of the vent where it meets the duct. Remove the tape from the vent collar and the end of the duct to reveal any screws that hold the duct to the end of the collar. Remove the screws with the screwdriver then pull the collar free from the duct.

Cut a channel through the drywall along the sides of the duct with a keyhole saw. Use a beveled cut to create the edges of the channel and angle the cut inward to prevent the drywall from falling into the wall cavity. Remove the drywall that covers the duct.

Use a pair of tin snips to cut through the duct strapping that holds the duct in place against the wall studs of the cavity. Remove the strapping and discard it.

Set a ladder beneath the new duct location. Climb the ladder and place the vent collar against the ceiling where you want to move the vent. Draw a circle around the collar then use the keyhole saw to cut a hole through the ceiling.

Access the top of the wall from the floor above it. You may need to remove the subfloor from the floor above unless you can access the duct from exposed floor joists if the ceiling is beneath an unfinished attic. Pry the subfloor from the floor joists with a pry bar to access the duct if necessary.

Return to the duct and pull it out of the wall. Run the duct to the location in the ceiling where you want to move the vent. Attach the duct to the floor joists, as you run the duct between them to your final location, with duct strapping. Wrap the straps around the body of the duct then screw the straps to the joists with hex head sheet metal screws every 5 feet. Use a screw set attached to a drill to drive the screws through the strapping and into the joists.

Push the end of the duct through the hole in the ceiling. Place the duct over the collar of the vent and screw the two together with three of the hex head screws placed evenly around the collar. Cover the joint between the collar and duct with a strip of metal duct tape.

Slide the collar through the ceiling hole and screw it to the ceiling through the mounting holes in the collar's ledge with drywall screws.

Replace the drywall panel onto the wall and cover the edges with joint compound applied with a drywall knife. Place a strip of paper drywall tape over the compound then add another layer of compound over the tape with the knife and feather out the edges of the compound to blend it in with the rest of the wall surface. Allow the compound to dry overnight before sanding it smooth with fine-grit sandpaper then re-paint the area.

Restore the subfloor that you removed to access the top of the wall and the floor joists by nailing the floor panels back to the joists with a hammer.