Can You Save Money by Closing Vents in Unused Rooms?
Many people think that you can close the registers in an unused room in order to save money on your heating and cooling bills. This doesn’t actually work in most cases and can even make your bills go up. Let’s take a look at why that is and what is actually happening.
Why Closing Vents Can Seem Like a Good Idea
Patterson Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. offers heating and cooling services throughout Mansfield and beyond. We’ve had many customers who’ve thought closing vents was a good idea. After all, it stands to reason that if a vent is closed, less cooled or warmed air is required, which means that the system has to work less and is thus less expensive to run.
How Closing Vents Actually Affects Your System
Most HVAC systems don’t work like that. They are calibrated based on a specific pressure. When you close a vent, the pressure increases. The system now has to work harder rather than less.
Potential Problems Due to Closing Vents
Your energy bills will actually go up rather than down. Your system will also work harder, which means increased wear and tear. That can mean more maintenance, more repairs, and a shorter lifespan. Depending on how much the pressure is increased, there can be more serious problems as well, such as failure of the condenser or heat exchanger.
Does This Apply to All Systems?
No. The exceptions are zoned systems that account for the pressure changes. These systems tend to have variable-speed blower motors in the air handler. Traditional systems have PCM motors. ECM motors tend to cost more up front. However, they are more energy efficient, require less maintenance and usually have lower operating costs. Industry experts suggest that owners of ECM motors come out ahead at about the four-year mark.
Lower Your Energy Bills
Patterson Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. offers a full range of heating and cooling services. We also clean ducts, seal them and specialize in indoor air quality. Call us today to learn more about all the services we offer and to schedule your first appointment.