Closing Air Vents: Does It Actually Help You Save on Heating?

Maintaining a warm, comfortable home while keeping heating costs to a minimum is every homeowner’s priority during the winter. There are a couple of ways to achieve this, but one that’s often talked about is closing the vents in unused rooms in order to increase thermal comfort in the others. But is this actually a good idea? A trusted source of high-quality Carrier® evaporator coils, Albert Air Inc., answers this question here.

No, Closing the Vents Doesn’t Save Energy

The idea of closing the air vents in rooms you don’t often use to save on heating makes sense in a way. Putting this into action, unfortunately, just makes those unused rooms colder, bringing down the overall indoor temperature of your home. A standard heating system isn’t designed to interpret this thermal change. That’s why, even when the vents are closed, it will still continue to heat your entire house. This causes the heating system to work harder and use a significant amount of energy as it labors to fill the thermal gap.

It Doesn’t End There

By closing the vents and reducing airflow to one room, you actually increase the air pressure directed elsewhere throughout the ductwork. This pressure will build up over time, eventually causing damage not only to the ducts, but to your heating system, as well. The good news is that there are many other ways to reduce your heating costs during the winter. Albert Air Inc., the recipient of rave ductless air conditioner reviews, shares some of them below.

What You Can Do Instead

You’re not going to achieve the desired results when you close the air vents, but you can save energy by:

  • Checking for air leakage around ductwork, plumbing, windows and doors, as well as in the attic and crawl space, then sealing cracks and gaps as necessary.

  • Installing insulating thermal treatments.

  • Adding weatherstripping to windows and doors.

  • Scheduling a heating system inspection and tune-up with Albert Air Inc. to prevent issues that can hamper the unit’s performance and efficiency.

Just look up “premier ductless air conditioner installers near me” online and Albert Air Inc. will be one of the first results. With our superior heating and air conditioning services, we’ll keep your home comfortable and energy efficient, no matter the season. We serve Fullerton, CA, and the surrounding areas. Call us today at (714) 526-6368 or fill out this contact form to schedule your consultation.