How to Redirect Air Vents for Better Airflow in Your Home

Your HVAC system is working just fine, but perhaps the air vents in a room aren’t precisely where you want them to be. Whether the furniture is blocking a vent or it’s in a spot that’s not directing the hot or cool air to where it needs to be, there’s a simple solution: redirect the vent.

Redirecting a vent is not as time-consuming as moving an air vent. In fact, you might not even need any tools to install it. Read on to see why this is one HVAC-related task that DIYers can easily take on.

Why Redirect an Air Vent? 

If an experienced professional installed your home HVAC system, then the air vents were likely inserted in spots with the best airflow. This, however, does not mean that they are in a prime location for the way you want the room’s furniture and decor to be arranged.

Here are a few reasons you might redirect an air vent:

It’s blocked by furniture or an appliance. This is probably one of the biggest reasons to move an HVAC vent, but before you do that, try an air vent deflector first.

It’s in an unused room. Don’t close off that vent—you’ll risk damaging the ductwork because of the pressure that will build up inside it. Instead, use an air vent deflector. 

It’s near a thermostat. A vent installed too closely to a thermostat might falsely register your home’s temperature. If you find that your home is not warm or cool enough despite what the thermostat says, try redirecting the airflow from the vent near the thermostat. 

How to Redirect an Air Vent

If you want to make your HVAC system more energy-efficient, a vent deflector is a smart choice and easy to install. Magnetic air vent deflectors don’t require any screws or tools. Instead, you’ll simply snap it into place over a vent and the air will be redirected toward the center of the room. 

1. Turn off the airflow. Just shut it off at the thermostat. You don’t need air blowing in your face while you do this.

2. Place the deflector over the vent. Assuming that the vent covers on the wall or floor are made from metal, you can simply place the deflector over the vent so that the magnets meet the metal and stick in place.

3. Turn on the airflow again. Turn the heat or cooling back on again and test to see that your placement of the vent deflector works the way you want it to. 

Tips for Dealing With Redirecting an Air Vent  

Decide on the room’s layout

While it’s not difficult to install or even adjust an air vent deflector, especially those secured in place by magnets,  it’s not something you want to keep doing. That’s why it’s better to finalize a layout for the decor and furniture in your room before you commit to adding a deflector. Depending on your final furniture arrangement, you might discover that the layout leaves the vent opening completely free, and no redirection is needed after all.

Switch direction each season

Cold air shouldn’t be redirected the same way that warm air is. Depending on the season, you should reverse the air deflector to direct the airflow properly:

• Cold weather: Hot air rises, so when the heat is on in your home, direct the air vent deflector upwards to disperse the warm air better.

• Warm weather: Cold air trends downward in a room, so when the AC is cranking in the summertime, you can help cool your space faster and more efficiently by directing the vent deflector downward.

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

If you are simply adding a deflector to an existing air vent, this is an easy DIY project that can be done in just minutes. However, if redirecting the air vent isn’t enough, it might be worth hiring a professional air duct installer near you to either move the vent or add another to direct the air in a space better. Adding a return air vent typically costs around $200–$250 each, but some vents can cost upward of $500.