We have heard it time and time again… “We never use this room so we always keep the vents closed.” It seems like closing the vents in rooms that are not used often would save energy and help reduce your heating and cooling costs but the million-dollar question is, “does it work?”
With spooky season upon us, we do not care if the room is a “ghost town” 👻 or cobwebs are hanging from the rafters 😉, closing select vents in your home will actually decrease efficiency, waste more energy, put added strain on your system, and most importantly, it will end up costing you more money.
So, Why Doesn’t it Work?
When you close a vent, it creates more back-pressure on the fan, reducing its capacity. Your compressor or furnace continues to run at the same rate but now your system can’t get the heat or cool into your home. You are still consuming energy, you’re just not delivering it. When you increase the pressure in your ductwork, any small leaks leak faster! It’s bad all the way around.
A Few Consequences of Closing the Vents
Problems with your ductwork are only the beginning. Here are a few other issues that can arise if you close select vents in your home.
- Increased Energy Use
- Lower Air Flow in Other Rooms
- Problems With Comfortability Throughout Your Home
- Cracked Heat Exchanger
- Condensation
- Mold Growth
- Frozen Air Conditioner Coil
In conclusion, the answer to the millon-dollar question, “does it save energy and money to close vents in unused rooms?” is, unfortunately, “no.” You will be better off keeping your vents open to make sure you do not harm your system so it is able to do its job effectively.
Looking for Ways to Save Money This Winter?
Though closing your vents does not help save money, we have a few tips that will!