Does Closing Vents in Unused Rooms Help?
It is perhaps prudent to close vents in unused rooms in order to save energy and lower your bill. Why cool or heat up areas no one will be using? Although the concept appears cheap, the truth is otherwise. Does closing vents in unused rooms help? Shutting vents in unused rooms can damage your HVAC system and cost more in the long term. Let us find out why it does that and how to conserve energy smarter in the house.
The Physics of Central HVAC Systems
Your primary HVAC system is designed to push air everywhere throughout your whole house. Every vent, every duct, and all the equipment is sized to provide a certain amount of air. Plugging one vent disrupts this balance. Rather than lightening your system’s load, it loads it up. When one part of airflow is eliminated, your system must work harder to provide proper flow, which puts more stress on your HVAC to perform more work than it needs to. Should you close vents in unused rooms? The answer might surprise you.
Impact on System Efficiency
Keeping vents shut down limits airflow within ducts and thus decreases compressor efficiency. With reduced airflow, your HVAC will have to heat for longer periods of time in an effort to hit your target temperature and draw more energy to do so. That inefficiency shows up in the form of bigger bills—the very last thing you wanted to make bigger by clogging up those vents. So, does it help to close vents in unused rooms? Not only does it fail to save money, but it can increase costs over time.
Pressure Imbalance
Closing vents in unused rooms causes pressure imbalances in your ductwork. When a vent is closed, air flows irregularly through the system. This will eventually result in duct leaks, which cause conditioned air to leak out and unconditioned air to enter. Leaks in this air are expensive, as they decrease the overall efficiency of your HVAC and make your home less comfortable. Whether these are metal vents or plastic ones, the result is the same—inefficiency and discomfort.
Possible Damage to HVAC Equipment
Besides inefficiency, physically closing the vents ruins your HVAC system. Modern equipment relies on constant airflow to function well. Closing off the vents prevents air flow and puts extra stress on the blower motor. It generates heat in the long run and eventually consumes rudimentary parts like the heat exchanger or compressor. These replacement parts or systems cost several times more than any advantage of trying to close air vents in unused rooms. All in all, attempting to close AC vents in unused rooms often backfires, damaging the very system meant to save you money.
Alternative Energy-Saving Strategies
Instead of closing vents, consider these more effective energy-saving solutions. Regular HVAC maintenance, such as cleaning filters and sealing ducts, improves efficiency. Invest in a programmable thermostat to regulate temperatures when you’re not home. Additionally, focus on insulating your home properly, as strong insulation helps retain heat in winter and keeps cool air in during summer without over-relying on your HVAC.
Smarter, More Efficient Choices
Capping off unused room vents appears to be a simple solution, but it’s a mistaken one. Rather than saving you money, it could destroy your HVAC system, promote inefficiencies, and blow your bills out of the water. For environmentally aware homeowners, spending money on maintenance, energy-efficient thermostats, and insulation will reimburse you much quicker. Smarter, you can be cozy in your house and your energy bill remains reasonable. So, should you close vents in unused rooms? Keep in mind that smarter solutions exist.
