Is It Okay to Keep Furniture Over Vents?

Air Vent Basics

• Air vents – part of a building’s Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning, or HVAC, System – are designed to circulate and recycle the air in a building; they keep the air from getting stuffy and prevent odors from building up indoors. If the vents aren’t functioning properly, indoor air pollution can occur, causing serious health hazards to the occupants of the building. Over the years, government regulations have set certain standards for air ventilation systems; these include keeping smokers a certain distance from a building’s windows and doors.

Air-Vent Impediments

• When you place an item of furniture in front of an air vent, you will likely obstruct the building’s designed airflow, which could contribute to airflow problems indoors. Make sure you place large items like sofas, armchairs, curtains, desks and bookcases at least a foot away from your floor or lower-wall vents to ensure that the air can move properly about the room. Placing items in front of vents can also be damaging to your furniture, especially if the furniture is made of wood or leather. The constant air circulation can dry out the wood or leather, causing it to warp.

Arranging Your Furniture

• If you have a small room, arranging your furniture to stay away from the vents may mean getting creative. If you arrange your items properly, you can save money on your utility bills. Another option is to invest in vent covers. These covers – which come in a variety of styles – are placed over your vents and redirect the flow of air, allowing you to place an item of furniture over your vent without trapping the air beneath it and disrupting your air circulation.

Other Air Vent Tips

• To keep your airflow fresh, it’s essential to check your filters once every four to six weeks. If you notice that the HVAC system is not leaking or draining the right way, you should call a professional to check it out. Avoid using draft stoppers on the bottom of your doors; doors are designed to allow air to flow from room to room, hence the small gap at the bottom. Never remove your air filter; the filter is designed to trap particles and pollutants from entering your air supply.