We’re all looking for ways to stay cool and save money during the summer months. If you have unused rooms in your home, you may have tried to conserve energy by closing the vents in those rooms. The thought is that this will force more cool air into the spaces that you are using. But what sounds like a good plan can have some unintended side effects. We’ll investigate.
THE THEORY
It makes sense in your mind. Close vents to one room to reroute cool air to another. If you’ve tried this, you’ve probably noticed that the room with the closed vents will stay warmer (or cooler in the winter) than the rest of your home. But there are a few more factors at play – including some negatives.
THE FLAW
If your HVAC is the right size for your home, it’s preset to deliver air to make your entire home comfortable. The supply and return vents are placed around your home to maximize effectiveness. When you start closing vents in unused rooms, you’re throwing off that balance. Air that’s funneled into a duct leading to a closed vent will build up and try to force its way out. You may even hear a whistling sound as it pushes its way through a closed vent.
INCREASED COST
All that extra pressure on the ducts makes your HVAC unit work harder, which means your energy bills will go up. And if there’s a leak in the ducts, that’s even worse as your unit will be pushing air out into your attic, wasting energy and money.
OVERWORKED
Closing your vents can cause your HVAC to work so hard that it breaks down prematurely. It can cause your air handler to overheat, which leads to your evaporator coils freezing. It’s a lose-lose for your home, your wallet, and your HVAC system!
WORTH THE CALL
If you’re having any issues with your air conditioner this summer, The Bosworth Company in Kerrville can help. Give us a call before you experiment with closing vents. We can evaluate your system and show you the right way to keep your home cool and comfortable. Make an appointment online or call us at 830-428-2764. It’s Worth the Call. Always.