There is a common misconception that closing your air vents in rooms you’re not in will help you save money and make the rest of your home cooler. Unfortunately, not only will it not save you any money, but it could actually end up costing you a lot of money in the long run. In fact, related issues such as putting an increased strain on your system could mean that your HVAC has a shorter lifespan.
If you’ve been tricked into closing some of your air vents and are now having problems with your air conditioner or heater, Santa Fe Air Conditioning & Heating in Kansas City, KS can help.
Most Common Issues Caused by Closed Air Vents
Closing some of your air vents appears to make sense on the surface. After all, why wouldn’t closing off unused rooms help your energy bills? The problem, though, is that your HVAC isn’t made to work this way.
Increased Strain
Your central AC and heating require each air vent to remain open in order to work properly. If even one vent is closed, it could cause your HVAC to increase its energy consumption. Even worse, this is one of the main reasons that an HVAC system can die prematurely.
Instead, if you leave your air vents open, the AC shouldn’t have to strain to cool off your Kansas City-area home. This means your energy consumption should decrease, even without making adjustments to your thermostat.
Imbalanced Airflow
Why is your HVAC affected so negatively by closing air vents? Because it was designed to operate with a balanced airflow. Whenever you close one of your vents, it’ll result in imbalanced airflow.
In other words, your HVAC will continue trying to deliver air or heat to the closed air vent, even though it is closed. This can cause your Kansas City-area HVAC system to work against an increased amount of resistance. By opening all your vents, you won’t have to worry about your HVAC facing resistance.
Ductwork Damage
Something else that could occur due to closed air vents is leaky ductwork. Once this happens, you’ll waste a significant amount of cool or hot air. Additionally, mildew or mold can grow more quickly because of your reduced HVAC efficiency.
If you allow your ducts to leak, you’ll be looking at needing a repair. Consider the following repairs, and remember to think long-term, instead of merely in the moment.
Closing up leaky ducts requires a professional to seal your ducts using one of the following:
- Mastic sealant
- Foil tape
- Aerosol
Mastic sealant is paste-like and works well for getting a tight seal around the seams and joints. Foil tape can be used to reach and seal up tiny gaps in accessible ductwork areas. Aerosol is a sealant that actually seals leaks from the inside, which makes it especially noteworthy if you have hard-to-reach spots.
There are two tips professionals will follow to help seal up ductwork gaps. The first, fiberglass insulation, is a good idea for unconditioned spaces and can prevent condensation, along with heat loss or gain. They can also add foil tape to your existing insulation to not only keep it in place but to also ensure your gaps have a better seal.
Repairing leaky ductwork can often be done with a targeted replacement of the affected portions. This method also allows you to stretch the lifespan of older ducts. Additionally, any disconnected ductwork or larger gaps can be secured with metal clamps and mastic sealant.
Which Energy-Saving Measures Work?
Rather than constantly opening and closing your vents, you can take more control over your energy bills by putting energy-saving measures in place. These methods have been proven to work, unlike keeping your vents closed.
Improve Your Insulation
Insulation is the primary thing standing between your home and significant heat and cool loss. By adding more insulation to your walls and attic, you can reduce your energy bills.
Adjust Your Thermostat
If you really want to save money, you should consider adjusting your thermostat instead. During the summer, set your thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. In the winter, set it to 68 degrees.
Choose ENERGY STAR Appliances
Making an upgrade to ENERGY STAR appliances is another way to reduce energy costs. Every appliance you switch out can help reduce expenses, including your HVAC system.
Top-Rated HVAC Company
We’ve been helping Kansas City-area homeowners with their HVAC needs for 40 years and have won the Angie’s List Super Service Award. We can address your ductwork, install a new heater, perform AC maintenance, and a lot more.
When you need to repair or purchase an HVAC system in Kansas City, turn to Santa Fe Air Conditioning & Heating!
