Closing air vents is a popular strategy for adjusting air flow in the home, but it’s not necessarily a good one. Homeowners typically close vents in an attempt to redirect air away from unused spaces. The belief is that closing a vent will simply push the air onward to other parts of the home, improving energy efficiency. However, the reality is a very different situation which may actually cause energy bills to rise for your Luling, Louisiana, home.
Air Pressure and Closed Vents
Closing air vents increases the pressure in your ducts. If they’re well-sealed, this may increase the airflow somewhat to other parts of the home. However, the heated or cooled air may travel a very inefficient path to get there, ultimately decreasing the efficiency of your system. If your home is like most houses and has leaky air ducts, the excess pressure will simply push its way out through the nearest leak, delivering none of the air to your home and increasing your overall energy losses.
The Benefits of Balance
Your HVAC system works most efficiently when air delivery is balanced. A room that’s sealed off will have higher pressure, which will throw your interior climate off. Though you can close the air vents, that room still has a door, windows, and other access points. The imbalance in pressure will force it to draw air in through another, less efficient means, which can create unexpected hot and cold spots around the home.
Managing Air Flow Efficiently
If you want to cut off heating and cooling to certain parts of the house, the most efficient way to do so is by installing a zoned HVAC system. This will effectively cut off this portion of your ductwork from the rest of your home so you can manage it with a completely separate set of thermostat settings.
If you’re unhappy with the heating and cooling in your home and want an efficient way to adjust your settings throughout the house, contact Bryans United Air Conditioning at 504-208-2071. We’ll help you choose and install the right HVAC equipment for a comfortable and energy-efficient home.
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