Capping the return and/or the supply in the unfinished basement could both potentially damage the system by causing it to overheat or putting too much stress on the blower motor; without knowing more about the system, here’s what I suggest: 1.Nov 12, 2014
Is it OK to cover a return air vent?
Avoid covering your cold air return vents with curtains, drapes or rugs. Always check your air filters and replace them when needed. Clogged air filters can also cause cold air return blockages.
What happens if you block an air return?
In the heating cycle, blocked cold air returns can cause the heat exchanger inside the blower compartment to store too much heat and eventually crack. If the cracks are too large, the furnace can emit carbon monoxide into your home’s air. Such a condition normally requires a complete system replacement.
Is it OK to close air vents in basement?
You can safely close your basement air vents in the summer, yes. You’ll want to do so intermittently, though, instead of leaving them closed for several weeks at a time. If you consistently want to keep your vents closed, be sure to rotate which vents you shut at least every two days.
What happens when you cover up a return vent?
Blocking air return vents causes your system to work harder, as there is less air flow to move the air back to the furnace. This continued strain on the HVAC system can lead to a decrease in performance and more HVAC repairs down the road.
Should you have a cold air return in basement?
More than often this problem is caused by improper air flow in your home and more than likely it’s your cold air returns. Every house should have proper air return throughout the house including the basement. Believe it or not, every room, including the basement should be the same temperature.
How do you cover a return air vent?
Take a cool door mat like this one, paint it and attach to the wall to get a beautiful vent cover. An ugly vent can be covered with a usual shutter! You can find one up to the size of you vent and sand and paint it the way you like.
Can I block cold air return?
When you block any cold air return throughout your HVAC system, the whole thing has to work harder – and the results you get are nowhere near as efficient. These little vents provide a return air supply to your air handler or blower compartment. They need to be unblocked to ensure air flows freely through the system.
Are return air vents necessary?
Does Every Room Need Air Return Grilles? While it is a myth that air return grilles are required in each and every room in the house, it is definitely necessary to have more than one of these grilles installed at strategic places in the house. The most important place to have these would be the bedroom.
Can you block air vent?
Preventative maintenance will keep your HVAC system in top operating condition for maximum efficiency. Additionally, you shouldn’t block any air vents inside your homes. Covering HVAC vents will not conserve energy or decrease energy costs. In fact, it can result in the opposite.
How do you permanently close a vent?
Permanently Covering Vents
The least expensive method to seal the vent opening is to remove the vent cover from the ceiling, cut a piece of cardboard to fit inside the vent cover, tape the cardboard in place with polyurethane tape, and reinstall the vent cover.
How do you completely block a vent?
To block off a heating vent with sheet magnet, start by measuring the height and length of the vent. Then, cut out a piece of sheet magnet that’s the same size as the vent. Once you’ve cut out the piece of sheet magnet, stick it over the vent and you’re finished!
