There has always been a notion that closing off vents to rooms where you do not need the heat actually improved heating energy efficiency. While this might sound like a logical thing to do, it is actually far from it and there are many reasons as to why this is so.
First, before we look at the reasons why closing off vents will not increase heating energy efficiency, it is important to consider that is always best to turn to the experts on matters concerning your heating and cooling systems. At Galmiche & Sons in St. Louis, we will be happy to answer your questions. You can use our convenient online contact form or call our heating & air conditioning experts at 314-993-1110.
Heating Energy Efficiency: Effects of Closing Off Vents to Your Heating System
Contrary to popular opinion, closing off vents in unused rooms in your home does NOT improve heating energy efficiency, but rather does more harm to your system. Below are some of the direct effects of closing vents to various rooms throughout your home:
- Straining your heating system – Heating systems are designed to work at a particular efficiency with a specified air flow. Closing off vents reduces or constricts air flow, literally choking the system. The system is then strained and operates with reduced heating energy efficiency in order to overcome the increased load.
- Energy wastage – Once you have closed some vents in your home, the heating system requires more energy to circulate the air around the house. Thus, instead of improving heating energy efficiency, you end using more energy and increase wastage.
- Eventual breakdown of the heating system – When you close some vents off in your home, you do not improve heating energy efficiency but rather overload the system. A system working in an overloaded state will not last for as long and it will end up breaking down sooner rather than later.
- Increased pressure in the home – Air circulation in the home is facilitated by the vents. All of the output and return vents need to be open for proper circulation of air. If they are not – cold air may be sucked into the home through any available spaces such as cracks and spaces between window panes. Increased indoor pressure is not only unhealthy for your family but it also makes the system use more energy to circulate the air.
How to Improve Heating Energy Efficiency
The following tips will help you improve heating energy efficiency:
- Leave all of your vents open
- Get in touch with experts to determine whether your heating unit is working at optimal efficiency
- Clean and change your air filters regularly
- Clean your ducts regularly for easy and free air flow
- Use a correctly sized heating unit
Learn More About Heating Energy Efficiency
It is certainly a myth that closing vents in used rooms throughout your home will improve heating energy efficiency. However, this does not mean that there are not some things that you can do to improve efficiency. Start saving energy today by calling the heating & air conditioning experts at Galmiche & Sons today, so that we can determine whether your system is working at optimal efficiency or not.
