With the arrival of cooler weather, your HVAC system, which kept your home cool in the summer, now switches to heating mode and blows warm air throughout your home. In a time when we are all more concerned about saving energy and reducing our utility bills, it pays to know how to get the most out of our systems.
One idea is to keep air vents closed in unused rooms, such as the guest bedroom or dining room, that are only used occasionally. This seems completely logical to me: why heat a room that you don’t use? However, the truth might surprise you. In fact, HVAC experts recommend against it.
Keep Your HVAC Vents Open
This may seem contrary to logic, but there are several reasons why it doesn’t make sense to close air vents, even in rarely used rooms.
“Contrary to common misconception, closing vents in unused rooms can create pressure issues for your system, forcing it to work harder and potentially leading to damage,” says Micah Sherman, virtual HVAC expert at American Home Shield.
Your HVAC system is under more pressure
“Air ends up building up at these vents and causes additional pressure, which can really damage your system,” says Eli Zimmer, director of operations at Luxaire HVAC Services. “Your system may actually work even harder to try to push air through these vents, thereby amplifying the pressure and becoming a hazard.”
The science is relatively simple. Richie Drew, vice president of operations at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, explains that the amount of cubic feet of air that passes through the HVAC system per minute must be returned to the system and that closing vents disrupts that airflow.
He explains: “The air duct system is designed to match the outlet and inlet of the unit in terms of air flow. The key to efficiency is that air flows evenly through the house and through the system, maintaining the correct static pressure.”
And he adds that airflow is also disrupted when furniture or appliances cover vents or grills, which can cause ducts to sweat, leading to unwanted humidity problems. Additionally, “if airflow is restricted enough, the coil can freeze, damaging the system. »
So while they think closing vents will make your system more efficient and save you money, HVAC experts say the opposite is true.
This unbalances the system
Sherman explains how an HVAC system works and why closing vents in unused rooms is a bad idea. “Your HVAC system is designed to heat or cool your entire home based on its original configuration. Restricting airflow by closing vents disrupts the balance of the system, leading to inefficiency and possible damage.”
The fan motor and compressor have to work harder
And he adds: “When you close the vents, the system fan still tries to push the same amount of air through fewer open vents. This increases the pressure in the ducts, forcing the fan motor to work harder to move the air.”
And he adds: “If your system uses a variable speed fan, it will increase to maintain airflow, consuming more energy. Whereas for fixed speed fans, lack of airflow can cause the system to overheat or freeze, depending on the season.”
All of this puts a lot of strain on the HVAC system. “Higher static pressure means the blower fan and compressor have to push harder to maintain airflow, which can shorten their life and increase operating costs,” says Bert Miskell, owner of BPM Heating, Cooling & Plumbing.
It can also cause your system to short cycle, turning on and off frequently.
Extra pressure can cause leaks in ducts
Jordan Benjamin, president of Done Rite Services, also adds that in addition to building pressure in the system, closing certain vents can cause leaks in ducts and connections, while creating uneven temperatures in your home.
What to do if you want to close off areas of your home
The general advice is to keep all the vents in your house open. However, if you want to close off parts of your home, Tim Algaushove, COO at IRBIS Air, Plumbing & Electrical, recommends talking to an HVAC technician about installing a zoned system.
“When set up correctly,” he says, “HVAC zoning can help you control specific areas of your home independently of each other. Your HVAC provider can also help you understand how to effectively use this type of system and achieve your specific goals.”
How to Run Your HVAC System Efficiently
There are a few key steps to follow to ensure your HVAC system is operating efficiently and maximizing its airflow potential.
Annual maintenance
In addition to booking annual maintenance with a professional, who will ensure that indoor and outdoor coils are cleaned, all exterior debris is removed, and drainage lines are clear, you can also carry out some repairs yourself.
Keep your vents open
Keep your vents open and make sure the airflow is clear, without any furniture or other obstacles blocking them. Sherman advises keeping rugs, furniture and curtains away from vents because they can “impede air circulation, increase energy costs and potentially allow mold to grow in damp areas.”
Open your doors
Zimmer also suggests leaving doors open to unused rooms (not just vents). “When warm air passes through the open vents, it’s not trapped in those rooms and wasted,” he says.
Clean your vents and change your air filters
Regularly cleaning your vents and changing your HVAC filter will also keep your system running efficiently. Drew recommends changing air filters every 30 days. However, check your HVAC system guidelines, as they can last for three months.
Check the joints
You should also regularly check the amount of air coming out of each vent. “If you notice significantly less air coming out of a vent than before, or if a room isn’t cooling or warming as well as before, a duct may be torn and needs to be sealed,” says Sherman.
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