Does Closing Vents in Unused Rooms Help Save Energy?
Learn why closing AC vents may be a bad idea.
Thad Warren
3 min read • Last update March 2023
Does closing air vents help reduce your electric bill? No. Closing air vents does not help you save money or reduce your electricity usage.
Closing air vents in your home can seem like an easy way to reduce heating and cooling costs, but it can actually cause a number of problems. Your home's HVAC system is one of the mostly appliances to repair.
The last thing you want to do is cause damage in a failed attempt to save a few bucks.
Here are some of the potential issues you should be aware of.
Closing air vents in certain rooms can create an imbalance in your home's airflow. This can lead to rooms that are too hot or too cold, which can make them uncomfortable to use. Additionally, imbalanced airflow can also lead to increased energy costs as your heating and cooling system works harder to maintain a consistent temperature.
Closing vents can reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system. This is because the system is designed to circulate air evenly throughout your home, and closing vents can disrupt that flow. As a result, your system will have to work harder to maintain a consistent temperature, which can lead to increased energy costs.
Closing vents can also cause damage to your heating and cooling system. This is because the system is designed to circulate air at a certain rate and air pressure.
Closing vents can cause the system to work harder than it was designed to. Over time, this can lead to increased wear and tear on the system, which can result in costly repairs.
Closing air vents can also lead to poor indoor air quality. This is because most heating and cooling systems are designed to circulate fresh air.
Closing vents can reduce the amount of fresh air that your HVAC system circulates. This can lead to increased levels of indoor air pollution, which can be harmful to your health.
If you're looking for ways to save energy and money without sacrificing comfort in your home, there are alternatives to closing vents in unused rooms.
Zone control systems allow you to customize the temperature of different areas of your home by dividing it into “zones” and controlling each area separately with its own thermostat. This way, you can keep certain parts of your house cooler or warmer than others depending on where people spend most of their time.
Utilizing smart thermostats and sensors is another great alternative to closing vents in unused rooms. Smart thermostats allow you to program temperatures based on the time of day, so they automatically adjust when no one is home or when everyone has gone to bed. Sensors detect motion within a room and will turn off the air conditioning if no one is present, saving energy while still keeping occupants comfortable when they return.
Finally, sealing air leaks around doors and windows can also be an effective way to save energy without having to close off any vents in unused rooms. Air leaks occur due to gaps between door frames or window sills that let outside air seep inside your home; these small openings add up over time and cause higher utility bills as well as uncomfortable drafts throughout the house during colder months.
Sealing air leaks with caulk or weatherstripping helps prevent warm air from escaping during the wintertime while also blocking out hot summer breezes - all without having to shut down any ventilation system.
Rather than heating or cooling your entire home, use an electric space heater or fan to keep smaller spaces comfortable. In most cases using a space heater or fan will use much less energy than running an entire HVAC unit. Just make sure you are running to many at once.
While closing air vents may seem like a simple way to reduce heating and cooling costs, it can actually cause a number of problems.
Instead of closing vents, consider other ways to reduce energy costs, such as sealing air leaks, installing a programmable thermostat, or investing in energy-efficient appliances. By taking these steps, you can reduce your energy costs and ensure that your home remains comfortable and healthy.
