Busting HVAC Air Vents And Air Flow Myths With Your Heating And AC Company | Hinckley, IL
Much information about your air conditioning and heating goes around, which isn’t factual. Do you regularly visit unofficial energy-saving websites? Then there is a likelihood that you have ever read something along the lines that closing the air vents can help save energy during winter. Unfortunately, such “helpful” tips from such blogs can do more harm to your HVAC system than any good. It could result in you having to call a heating and AC company in Hinckley, IL to repair the furnace. Below you will learn some misconceptions and myths about air vents and energy savings.
Airflow and Closing Vents
If you have an HVAC system installed at your home, there’re air vents in various rooms. The vents are in place to ensure that the conditioned air from your air conditioning system is directed into various sections of your home. It is usually misconceived that closing the vents in one room or area of your home will redirect the conditioned air to some other area that you want to be heated or cooled—for instance, closing the vents in this room that you never use. Although closing the vents may redirect the air, it might not be as simple as you envisioned. Additionally, this might create other issues that can only be resolved by a heating and AC company.
When the registers are closed, the air starts backing up in the air ducts. This increased the pressure within the system. When this pressure is exerted on the air ducts, it makes them leak. Hence, that air you wanted to be redirected into another room will possibly be lost in the unconditioned areas. Further, the increased pressure in your air ducts and the leaks will make the HVAC system try to compensate for the lost air. It will run longer, exposing it to wear and tear. You might have to call a heating and AC company for a maintenance or replacement service.
By Closing the Vents, You Can Save Energy
Unfortunately, closing the air vents will never save you any energy. As explained above, this could result in increased energy consumption because of the increased pressure that results in air leaks. Your air conditioner was designed for heating or cooling your home entirely. The equipment was installed based on its characteristics and size. It won’t recognize that some of the vents are closed. Hence, it will continue cooling or heating your home as installed. Hence, any reliable heating and AC company will advise against closing the vents.
You Can Have Improved Airflow by Closing the Vents
You might have heard that you could increase airflow by blocking those vents if you have empty rooms. That is not the reality. The critical components require a minimum return airflow to maintain the furnace’s ideal internal temperature. If you close the supply air valves, you’ll restrict airflow and run the risk of the heat exchanger overheating. It is expensive to replace this because it is among the most expensive parts of an HVAC system.
Furthermore, there is a safety risk if cracks appear and the furnace heat exchanger becomes defective because carbon monoxide might infiltrate your home. If you block the vents in the summer, your air conditioning system may develop frozen coils, which could harm the compressor. Therefore, blocking off the vents will not improve airflow, whether in winter or summer. In reality, it may harm the system’s parts, raising your repair costs and maybe necessitating an early replacement by a heating and AC company in Hinckley, IL.
Closing the Air Vents Help Other Sections of Your Home
Some homeowners believe blocking vents in less-used areas will increase comfort levels elsewhere. That is untrue. Instead, if there is no additional cooling or heating in other parts of your home, you are more likely to encounter duct leaks, equipment failures, and other problems that necessitate you to call a heating and AC company. Cool rooms in a warm house will operate like heat sinks. Naturally, heat will be drawn from the warm ones in these cooler locations. Therefore, leaving rooms unheated will cause your regularly utilized regions to lose heat through the internal walls that aren’t insulated. The furnace will also run more frequently to compensate for this heat loss. Your energy bills will go up, and your indoor comfort will take a toll.
How About Closing Your Vents Partially?
Though you should never close the vents fully, you might get some energy savings by closing several vents partially. However, these vents should be furthest from the air conditioner. This is because the vents still will allow airflow. Hence, they will not raise the pressure in your air ducts or even make the components overheat. However, if you think some sections of your home need cooling or heating while others don’t, you should have a heating and AC company install a zoned system.
Genuine Heating and Cooling Energy-Saving Tips
Eliminate Drafts
Eliminate drafts by looking for gaps, cracks, or crevices in the windows, walls, and doorways. These spaces create an unpleasant draft that wastes energy and is uncomfortable to sit next to. These openings let warm air escape while letting cold air in from the outside. Have your heating and AC company in Hinckley, IL use a sealant, caulk, weather-stripping, or other weatherproofing products to close the gaps.
Maintenance
One of the most effective ways to enhance energy efficiency is routine maintenance. This guarantees that the machinery works as efficiently as possible and allows you to diagnose any minor faults before they become serious. Hence, ensure that a heating and AC company sends a technician at least once per year for a maintenance visit.
Don’t Believe Everything You Hear
Before you act based on something you hear about your HVAC system, reach out to a professional. Do you have any questions or doubts about HVAC air vents? Contact us at Just In Time. Our AC experts are ready to help you.