Here’s a common question most homeowners ask: “Is it ok to close vents in unused rooms? If someone advised you that closing vents in unused rooms is okay and saves you money, then you need to start taking advice from the real HVAC experts.
So according to experts, should you close vents in unused rooms? Well, the simple answer is “NO”. But why?
Why closing vents to save energy doesn’t actually save any energy
The balance of your HVAC unit is greatly affected when you close the vents. Since your unit was built to be balanced, the ductwork for air going in was built to match that of air going out in terms of volume. The blower sucks in air from your indoor space via the return ducts and then directs it back into your indoor space via the supply ducts.
By closing vents to save energy, you don’t actually make your unit work less, but instead you increase the pressure in the ducts. Increased pressure in your ductwork causes higher energy bills since your unit now has to work harder to transport the air.
Apart from the high energy bills, you may also notice your air conditioner running but not cooling as a result of the increased pressure. If this is so and you need HVAC repair in Atlanta, don’t hesitate to contact Moncrief Heating & Air Conditioning for help solving your AC issues, before things get worse.
Dangers of closing air conditioning vents
Closing air conditioning vents can cause 2 major serious problems:
- It causes the permanent split capacitor (PSC) blower to slow down. This is because the blower can’t handle the increased pressure, hence reduced oxygen levels at home. Lack of enough oxygen can cause your AC’s evaporator coil to cool excessively, turning into ice. The ice will then force liquid refrigerant to flow back into the compressor of the outdoor AC, destroying it. Also, you could risk getting exposed to carbon monoxide during winter, if the heat exchanger in your heater overheats and cracks.
- It causes the Electronically Commutated Motor (ECM) blower to work harder, in order to overcome the increasing pressure. An ECM blower automatically adjusts it’s speed depending on the conditions. When the vents are closed, the blower is forced to work harder than it normally does, thus causing higher electric bills.
In order to keep your air conditioner running efficiently, it is important that you clean the vents. to know more read our blog on How To Clean Your Air Conditioner Vents.
How To Clean Your Air Conditioner Vents
If you’re around Atlanta and you’ve noticed your unit not performing as it normally does, it could be due to various problems. Contact Moncrief Heating & Air Conditioning for Air Conditioning Installation in Atlanta.
