Is it safe to use a shop vacume in the vents while air is on?

Question

I hear a rattling noise in my bedroom vent when the air conditioning is on - esp. the higher level air. When I try to vacume with the air off, I do not seem to collect anything. It is like a pebble or plaster that bounces closer to the vent opening when the air is on so I thought of using the vac then but was afraid I would pull up something like the pilot light? Is it safe to vacume/use shop vac when the air conditioning is blowing through the vent, yes or no? Thanks for any useful reply.

Answer 1

Yes you can.  Unless the finance is on with a pilot light (means not automatic ignition) and is right next to your bedroom you will be fine.

But I doubt that vacuuming will solve your problem.  I would pull the vent cover off and look for something loose, like a s***w or flapping piece of tape or metal.

Answer 2

It can't hurt, but what you might do to assure some higher degree of success, is remove the "vents". It sounds like something may actually attached to the vent itself, and is agitated when the AC is on, not a pebble sitting in the duct work.

  With the AC on, at the very least the air being forced, should aid you in a minor sense.

  I have to assume your "vents" are no where adjacent to any "pilot"

Answer 3

if u don't mind the air blowing on u while u vacum it will be ok