This begins with an apology. I gave you the wrong information the other day in an article about 15 tips to help lower your energy bill.
One of the tips was to close vents in rooms that you do not use often. Not using your heating or cooling system in the rooms you do not use often seems like common sense. And many articles on the topic actually suggest it as well.
That was a mistake.
I just started working at Dave’s not too long ago and even though I wrote the other day that closing your vents is a bad idea…I seemed to have mistakingly referenced a bad resource. We agreed we would have the techs read what I write before posting from now on. Giving you the right information is something we want to value.
Closing vents to unused rooms in your house in the hopes of saving on energy bills is a common misconception.
In fact, doing so can actually have the opposite effect, even damage your system and end up costing you more money in the long run.
Let’s talk about a few reasons why closing your vents is a bad idea:
Higher Costs and Lower Efficiency
The primary function of your HVAC system is to move air throughout your home in order to maintain a comfortable temperature. When you close vents, you restrict the flow of air and make it harder for your system to do its job. This builds uneven pressure in your system. As a result, your system has to work harder to heat or cool your home, using up more energy and driving up your bills.
System Damage
Additionally, closing vents can also lead to serious damage to your HVAC system. When an HVAC system isn’t able to evenly distribute air, it puts stress on the system and can cause it to break down prematurely. This can often times lead to costly repairs, which no one wants.
Closing too many vents in the home inhibits airflow to the point that the system’s coils freeze, damaging the compressor. If you break the compressor, you’ll need to repair or replace it before your machine’s operating efficiency returns to normal.
Bursting Ducts
Another big problem that can occur when you close vents is bursting ducts. Ducts are the system of tubes that carry air throughout your home, and when they’re restricted, the pressure inside them builds. This increased pressure can cause the ducts to break or even burst, which not only creates a mess, but is also a safety hazard. This can also lead to needing hvac duct repair.
Mold Growth
And finally, closing vents can also lead to mold growth. When your system can’t circulate air properly, humid air gets trapped in the ductwork. This provides the perfect environment for mold to grow and spread, which can be both dangerous for your family and expensive to get rid of.
