Device to redirect wall vent output

December 8, 2008 10:47 AM

Homeowner HVAC Filter: Where to find a "vent redirector"?

I have my living room couch directly in front of a wall vent (~6-8 inches from the ground). Currently, I have closed and taped off the vent (bad, I know). I am trying to find a device that will redirect the output down, and under the couch. Similar to this, but for a wall vent. I'm positive I've seen such an item before, but am stumped. Any ideas? Thanks!
Please do not include "move your couch" suggestions in answers. The couch must stay where it is. Thanks again!

posted by ObscureReferenceMan to home & garden (7 comments total)

Would one of these work? We have something like this over our bed. Google for "heat register deflector" and you may come up with some other configs.
posted by nkknkk at 11:00 AM on December 8, 2008

Currently, I have closed and taped off the vent (bad, I know)

Not necessarily bad. Air comes out somewhere else, I am sure, and with greater pressure.

If it's really going to be invisible (behind and under sofa) then you could always make your own channel with solid core styrofoam, a razor blade, and duct tape. Cheap and fun.
posted by rokusan at 11:10 AM on December 8, 2008

Given that all of my vents have built-in flaps to totally cut off the airflow, I'm sure it's fine.

The thing nkknkk posted should be fine - I had one in my old bedroom at my parents', actually, and it worked fine.
posted by Tomorrowful at 11:35 AM on December 8, 2008

These are readily available at big box home stores in a variety of configurations, but you may have to check more than one place to find one that works for you. They're mainly designed for modern (postwar (WWII that is)) rectangular vents, and not old-fashioned squarish heat registers.

If it's your house, it might be worth relocating the vent.
posted by dhartung at 11:36 AM on December 8, 2008

Of course I can't find it on their website now, but I have wall vents and I got a plastic cover at Lowes that was expandable to fit the large size of our old vents, and was magnetic so it just stuck on. We use it to redirect a vent that's under a desk, and it works great. So check a Lowes if you have one close, otherwise I think it was exactly like this one.
posted by thejanna at 11:42 AM on December 8, 2008

Oh, and if you don't want air to come out of the vent at all, depending on the type of furnace you may be able to close off the ductwork before it gets to the vent. My ducts all have little handles not too far from the furnace that you just turn to close off the duct. I use this to help regulate the temperature in different rooms, because if I leave them all completely open the temperature is rather uneven from room to room.
posted by thejanna at 11:46 AM on December 8, 2008

thejanna - That's a lmost it! The one I'm remembering had a piece that directed air to the floor, then horizontally.
posted by ObscureReferenceMan at 12:33 PM on December 8, 2008