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Is it OK to tape over a vent?

It will keep pushing air to those vents, and if they're closed, you could cause a buildup of air pressure and insufficient airflow which could damage your system.

wahlheatingandcooling.com - Why You Shouldn't Cover Your Air Vents - Wahl Heating and Cooling

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Why You Shouldn’t Cover Your Air Vents

True or false: Covering your air vents is a great way to redirect air to other rooms in your home. False! This is the common idea people have when trying to save energy with their HVAC system, but there are a number of reasons you actually shouldn’t cover your air vents.

Why You Shouldn’t Cover Your Air Vents

You could mess with the air flow.

Just because you cover the vent, it doesn’t mean your HVAC system knows that. It will keep pushing air to those vents, and if they’re closed, you could cause a buildup of air pressure and insufficient airflow which could damage your system.

You could damage the heat exchanger.

If there’s a buildup of pressure from air being pushed to covered vents, the low airflow could create problems with your heat exchanger, causing it to crack and lead to carbon monoxide emissions.

Your could develop mold and mildew.

If you live in a humid area, a blocked air vent could allow mold or mildew to develop in and around your vent and air ducts.

You could waste energy.

You probably thought covering your air vents would save you energy, but it does the opposite. Since this could harm your HVAC system, cracks and other damage could allow air to escape your ducts and cost you more in energy bills. Pro Tip: Air ducts aren’t always covered on purpose. Check if drapes, rugs, or furniture are blocking any air ducts in your home, and move them to allow air to flow freely.

For more pro tips and advice, give us a call (412) 265-2662.

At Wahl Family Heating, Cooling, or Plumbing, we love giving our customers tips and tricks to keeping their homes comfortable. If your HVAC system could use a little attention, give us a call at (412) 265-2662.

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Can a covered vent start a fire?

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

bngheat.com - Air Vents: When It's Okay to Block Them - BNG Heating & Cooling

Our short and simple answer? Never.

Here’s why.

Increased Pressure

Your heating and cooling equipment was set up for your home’s specific square footage. When you close air vents or block them with furniture, the same amount of air is being pushed through your ventilation system but with increased pressure because of limited opportunities for air flow. Not only does it force your HVAC system to work harder—shortening its lifespan—but it also results in frozen air conditioning coils, overheated furnaces, cracked heat exchangers, and leaks in duct systems. Those issues come with both danger to your home AND big price tags for repairs.

Mold and Mildew

Because of humidity, moisture will collect behind the blocked vent, causing mold and mildew to not only fester, but to infect the air blowing through your entire house. This is a terrible scenario for any homeowner, but it can be especially dire for allergy and asthma sufferers. If you’re blocking the vents with upholstered furniture—say, the wall vent is right in the middle of the only wall suitable for your couch—you’re setting your couch up to be a mold and mildew nest. This possibility is not only limited to soft, upholstered furniture. Rugs are also a prime breeding ground for mold and mildew, as is wood furniture.

Fire Hazard

Perhaps the most obvious (and most dangerous) result of a blocked vent is that it will cause a fire. How? When you’re forcing your system to overwork, as mentioned in our first point, you put your furnace at high risk of setting on fire.

Worried that you’ve been overworking your system?

Call your friends at BNG Heating & Cooling to schedule an inspection or maintenance checkup. We’ll be able to spot any signs of trouble before they become expensive mistakes

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