Closing the vents in rooms that are not being used may sound like a good way of saving some extra cash on heating and cooling costs, but does it work? Many Ohio homeowners seem to believe this is true, but the reality is that following this advice can actually cost you more money on your utility bill. It can also lead to permanent damage to your HVAC system.
Why Closing Air Vents Won’t Lower Your Expenses
Most modern homes run on a forced-air system, which distributes air by balancing the pressure around the house. At the same time that the blower in your heating, ventilation and cooling system pushes air into your home through the supply ducts, it is pulling air back through the return ducts. When a vent is closed, it doesn’t stop the blower from attempting to push air into that room. It only increases the pressure in the system.
Since the blower is designed to work under very specific air pressure, this can be very bad for your equipment. When a vent is blocked, it sends the whole system into stress as it tries to push the same amount of air through a closed duct as it would through one that is open.
Closing vents can also lead to dirtier ducts, which can negatively impact your air quality and energy costs. Let the air quality experts at David White Services give you a free duct cleaning estimate for your home.
How Does Closing Vents Damage an HVAC System?
The increase in pressure caused by closed vents can lead to different types of problems for your heating and cooling system. It depends on the type of blower you have.
You may have a permanently split capacitor (PSC) blower. When this type of blower can’t overcome the extra pressure, it will eventually slow down. This will reduce the airflow in your entire home and your HVAC system, potentially damaging your evaporator coil and heat exchanger over time.
Alternatively, you may have an electronically commutated motor (ECM) blower. This smart blower can adjust its speed as needed, so the increase in pressure will cause it to work harder, leading to higher energy costs for you and strain on the equipment.
DonΓÇÖt let this happen to your home. If you really want to save on your heating and cooling bill, let the friendly professionals at David White Services in Athens show you how to run your system at full efficiency. We’re experts with heating, cooling and ventilation installation, repair and maintenance. Give us a call today.