Why keeping vents open improves efficiency
A common misconception among homeowners is that by closing vents in specific areas of the house you can somehow improve efficiency. Despite the popularity of this theory it is simply not true. Keeping vents closed actually has the opposite effect by taxing the system, increasing costs and ultimately reducing your overall efficiency in the process.
Why it doesn’t work
While it may seem like it does, closing vents in specific rooms does not totally stop air flow. What actually happens is that pressure builds in that room instead. The room then absorbs air through windows or cracks and works to normalize the built up pressure. Cool air that’s built up in the ducts will then push out through ductwork which is what ends up reducing efficiency. Worse still, built up pressure can cause further problems by increasing small leaks or creating new ones.
When it can work
There are very rare cases when this approach can work but they are very specific. In this case, if you or your family plan to be away for an extended period of time or are in the process of moving, such that the HVAC unit will not need to be run for awhile, closing the vents could actually be a good thing as dust and dirt that may have built up over time are not blowing around the house by building up in the duct work.
Alternative Solutions
In some cases, homeowners find that clearing debris, regularly changing filters and switching to a programmable thermostat are all helpful low cost strategies for saving money on heating and cooling costs. Another trick is to limit the use of dryers and ovens on the hottest days of the year as warm air will make it’s way into the home that your HVAC system will need to account for.
As you may notice, it may seem like closing vents in low traffic or unused rooms is clever money saving strategy, but it only applies in specific situations that are fairly rare. If you need strategies for better efficiency consult with on of our licensed experts to figure out how to get it done properly.
About the Eco Green Team:
As HVAC experts, we pride ourselves on being a one stop shop that is able to meet all of our client’s needs. Our goal is to provide the highest quality design and installation services, on schedule, and on budget along with outstanding customer service. We understand that time and cost are crucial, so we strive to go above and beyond our client’s expectations. After 12 year’s experience in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning industry (HVAC), we believe in quality customer service and we are here when you need us to service both your residential and commercial properties. Call us now at 613-627-2777.
