If you’ve ever researched ways to save money on your energy bill, you’ve likely read that closing vents and doors to unoccupied rooms can help conserve energy.
This is wrong.
Doing this only obstructs airflow and damages your HVAC unit.
Why You Shouldn’t Seal or Block Your Vents
Your home’s heating and air conditioning system has supply and return vents. Supply vents blow hot and cool air indoors while return vents move air back into your HVAC system. When you close off vents, you prevent your system from delivering air. Disrupted air flow can result in your system’s fan motor working harder, which increases the risk of a breakdown and raises your energy bill.
Poor airflow also results in drafty rooms and uneven heating.
Closing Doors Doesn’t Stop Heat Loss
People commonly suggest closing doors in unused rooms to make a room warmer, but this can harm your HVAC unit. Optimal airflow circulates throughout the entire home evenly, and closed doors act as a barrier. When you close off an entrance, much like blocking a vent, your system cannot do its job properly. Chocking off airflow causes pressure in your ducts, making small leaks worse, and overworks your system.
When air cannot be recycled from a closed room, it builds and escapes through the walls and windows instead. Air is then drawn from other areas of the house, including the furnace and fireplace. This is known as back-drafting, and it can cause your home to be filled with unfiltered, even toxic air.
The truth is windows are the primary cause of heat loss, so if you want to make a room warmer, consider window treatments such as thermal curtains or weatherstripping kits. Upgrading to energy-efficient windows can also help you save on energy costs and make your home more comfortable.
The Best Way to Save on Heating and Cooling
If you need an HVAC expert to help you improve your system’s efficiency, look no further than Hero Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. Contact us today at (612) 324-1004. to learn more about our heating and air conditioning repair services. Whether it’s a routine tune-up or full-scale emergency, we’re always here to save the day.
