How to Move an Air Vent Like an HVAC Pro

Before you take apart the current ductwork, decide on the location of your new vent. While personal preference plays a role, the room's layout will ultimately determine where you can and can’t place a new vent.

Don’t rush this initial step. You’ll want to confirm that it’s possible for you to install a new vent in the new location before you dismantle the old ductwork. If it’s good to go, mark the spot by drilling a screw through the wall to mark the center of where the vent cover will go. Note: Don’t simply mark the wall with a piece of tape or swipe of a pencil.

Even though you’re not touching any wiring, you’ll want to shut off the power to the heat/cooling system so that no air is moving through the ductwork as you’re working on it.

Next, lay out a tarp or plastic cover underneath the spot where you’ll be cutting a hole for the new vent—it’ll be easier to clean later.

Take your measuring tape and painter’s tape and head up to your attic, crawl space, or other spot that’s housing your current ductwork. (Put on those safety goggles and a face mask to keep away dust and other airborne particles that might irritate your eyes and nasal passages.) With a piece of tape, mark the spot where the screw has come through the wall to designate the new duct location. 

Locate the spot of the existing duct and measure the distance between that and the screw to determine the length of ductwork you’ll need to add, if any. Keep in mind that if you’ve got flexible ductwork and aren’t moving the vent far, you might not need to add any new ductwork at all.

The way you disconnect your ductwork will depend on the type you currently have installed. If you have a newer home, you’ll likely have flexible ductwork in your walls, but if you’ve got an older home, you might have rigid ductwork. Here’s how to handle them:

• Flexible ductwork is indeed more flexible to work with. All you have to do is loosen the clamp that’s attaching it to the vent and remove the vent collar.

• Rigid ductwork might be connected to the vent with clamps or duct tape. If clamps are present, loosen them to remove them. If it’s duct tape, use a utility knife to cut the tape.

If the current air vent was installed properly and you plan to use the same vent cover, you can measure the existing cutout in the drywall and make one the same size in the new vent location.  

Otherwise, if you’re using a new vent cover, you’ll want to measure for a new cutout. Using the new cover as a guide, measure the length and width of the grills. Remember, you’re not cutting out the same size of the cover because the edges of the vent cover need to attach to the drywall. Draw or trace the grill area on the piece of cardboard, then cut the cardboard using the utility knife. This will serve as your outline for the cut you’ll make in the drywall. 

Using the screw in the wall as the center of the vent cover, trace the outline of the piece of cardboard on the wall. Then, using your putty knife, cut into the drywall and remove it. You might use a jigsaw here for quicker removal of the drywall. 

When you’ve cut out the spot where the vent will go, take the sandpaper and lightly remove any roughness around the edges of the cutout to ensure the vent cover attaches smoothly and securely.

If you do have to add a length of ductwork, connect the new vent’s collar to the AC blower in the same spot where the old one was connected. Use S-cleats and drive clamps to join rectangular ducts; for round ducts, use couplings and sheet metal screws to connect. Duct tape can be used but only as a temporary connection as the adhesive is known to deteriorate over time.

Take your drill and screw the vent cover into place over the opening in the drywall. Use the level to make sure it’s on straight.

Turn the power back on and turn up the AC. Stand near the new vent and feel the air coming through it. You’ll want to ensure it’s blowing properly before you seal up the spot where the vent originally was.

Replace the drywall to cover up the old vent opening. Vacuum up any dust or debris that accumulated as you worked. You’re done!