10 Items You Want To Keep As Far Away From Your Heat Vent As Possible

Even though many homeowners still use fireplaces to keep homes warm in the winter, modern heating systems are quickly taking over. You no longer have to chop wood, stack it up in the hearth, tend to the flame, or deal with smoke and ash. All it takes now is a twist of the thermostat dial, and clean, filtered, hot air comes rushing out of the vents in no time. But, while you no longer have to watch out for ash and smoke, you still need to be mindful of things you place in front of your heating vents. The hot air coming out of the heating vents can have a temperature of around 85 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. This type of heat can easily damage and spoil things like electronics, medicines, houseplants, paintings, as well as fruits and vegetables.

It is generally not a good idea to keep things in front of the hot air vents. That is because when you shove things in front of a hot air vent, it can restrict the airflow. This can cause the heat exchanger of your heating system to overheat, which can lead to it cracking over time. And, the restricted airflow can also reduce proper air circulation in the room. The result? A room that just never feels quite right. Unless you want to deal with costly repairs or a room that does not feel cozy, keep things as far away from your heating vent as possible.

Modern homes are run by electronics. TVs, routers, computers, cell phones, gaming consoles — the list just goes on. They seem to have filled every part and corner of our homes and lives. Still, there is one place where you definitely don't want them in your home, and that is near a heating vent. Electronics contain many heat-sensitive components, and when exposed to hot air, the performance and longevity of these components take a serious hit. So, unless you want to frequently source new home electronics, it is better to keep them away from those heating vents.

The typical household keeps around 19 different medicine packs on hand at any given time, and the number can climb even higher depending on an individual's needs. Soon you might run out of places to keep those meds. But no matter how limited the space is, don't put your medicines in front of a heating vent. The heat coming out of vents can affect the chemical formulation and potency of your medicines. So, next time you see "store in a cool, dry place" on a pill bottle, this is the reason why.

Indoor plants are the unsung heroes of the home. They add color and texture to our spaces, and since they come in many shapes and sizes, they can fit in pretty much everywhere indoors. However, you should not place them near a heating vent. The dry, hot air can easily cause the leaves of the houseplants to wilt, curl downward, and turn yellow. Plus, it can also interfere with leaf and flower growth. So, next time you are finding the best spot in the house for your indoor plant, make sure to stay as far away from the heating vent as possible.

Other popular items homeowners use to keep things looking interesting and colorful indoors are paintings. They are basically a home's "I have taste" badge hanging from the wall. Now you can put your painting pretty much on any wall in your home where it looks good, as long as it stays away from extreme sunlight and heat sources like radiators and heating vents. That is because paintings can very easily deform and the paint can soften when exposed to heat. Plus, warm air can mess up their colors and can also cause the formation of blisters on a painting's surface.

For some people, arranging fruits and vegetables in pretty baskets, bowls, or platters keeps them visible – a simple way to encourage themselves to eat healthier. You can put your veggies and fruits wherever it makes sense and feels feasible at home. However, one thing you should never do is to place your fruits and vegetables in front of a hot air vent. That is because if you place veggies and fruits near a heating vent, the heat can cause them to spoil quickly, diminish their flavor, and reduce their shelf life. 

Just like electronics, plastics have also become a central part of our lives. Containers, bottles, packaging, baskets, décor items, kids' toys — there are so many things made of plastic in our homes that it can be really hard to keep track of them all. But still, you must not let things made of plastic stay put for long in front of a heating vent. Heat can cause the plastic to turn soft and warp. Plus, if plastic is exposed to heat for too long, it can also become brittle. This can deform your plastic items and also reduce their durability.

Books are also another item you should not place in front of a heating vent in your home. High temperatures can be very detrimental to paper-made things. Heat can also cause the paper to yellow and become brittle– the longer the exposure, the worse the damage becomes. So, avoid storing your books near a heating source, if you don't want them to look pale and break apart. Instead, safely tuck them away in a bookshelf. And don't worry if you don't have one! There are plenty of other ways for storing your books without using a bookshelf.

Even though synthetic furniture seems to be the trend these days, wooden furniture still holds its place. Wood is reliable, and it just looks classy. However, put wooden items in front of a heating vent, and soon it could get damaged. That is because when the air is dry and warm, like that coming out of a heating vent, the wood starts to lose moisture. This can cause it to shrink, which can ultimately also cause it to crack. Heat can also cause the polish on wood to degrade and lose its sheen.

We might not realize it, but our homes are full of pressurized containers. Things like air fresheners, shaving creams, hair sprays, and deodorants all come in pressurized bottles and containers. And if you paid attention to physics class in school, you probably know that gas molecules expand when they are heated. If you store these pressurized containers close to a hot air vent, they can explode. This can easily injure someone, and even if it does not, an exploded can of shaving cream in a room is not something you want to deal with.

To be honest, clothes do a lot for us. They keep us warm and help us look presentable. But if you leave them for too long in front of a heating vent, they won't be so kind and forgiving anymore. Heat can quickly dry out fabrics, making them age faster. It also messes up the color of your clothes and other fabrics, making them look dull and unsightly. And if that wasn't enough, heat can cause cloth fibers to turn brittle, making them more prone to tearing when in use.