We offer furnace repairs in Greenville SC and all surrounding areas.
So does closing your furnace vents in rooms you are not using save you money? That is a good question and one we get asked a lot. So we decided to add this article from Doug Bonderud which we found on angieslist.com. In it Doug talks about this very topic and it is a very good read. If you like it, be sure to press the Google+ button above and leave a comment below.
Saving on energy costs is a high priority for homeowners. Furnaces can suck up electricity and gas, especially if they’re heating more space than needed. In an attempt to lower energy bills, it’s often tempting to close off rooms and vents that you aren’t using. But does it really work or is this energy-saving trick just a myth?
Why it should work
Closing off a bedroom or bathroom that you’re not using seems like a sensible way to save on energy costs. With the door and vents shut, no heat should pump into the room, freeing your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC) to heat the rest of your house. At first glance, there’s nothing fundamentally wrong with this idea: The forced air has to go somewhere, so why not redirect it rather than using it to heat rooms you don’t use as much? But, a 2003 study by the Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory, cited by the Consumer Energy Center, found that “register closing led toincreased energy use.”
Why it doesn’t work
Because the rooms in your home have cold-air returns as well as heating vents, just shutting the vents and closing the doors doesn’t prevent air movement. Instead, it creates pressure in the closed-off room, which causes the return duct to pull in cold air from any cracks in windows or doors. In addition, the warm air still trying to push up through closed vents will start to leak out any ducts that aren’t sealed properly, or it will be forced back down into your basement or into floor cavities. So, you’ll still be paying for heat, just in places you can’t use.
It’s also possible to damage your furnace by closing too many vents. Newer, high-efficiency models are designed to operate with your specific square footage in mind and with fans running at full speed. Closing off vents creates unexpected blockages, which forces the furnace to work harder when distributing heated air. It’s also possible that limited air flow, especially in winter, may cause freezing in your ducts, meaning more work for your HVAC system. So this not only lowers the efficiency of your heating system, but shortens its life.
Energy-efficient alternatives
If you still want to seal up a room that doesn’t need much heating, your best bet is to contact a professional HVAC installer. Closing off ducts and adjusting your furnace are tasks best left to trained experts. Also, alterations you make to your HVAC systems won’t be covered under any warranty and could permanently damage your furnace.
You can improve the efficiency of your heating system in several ways, starting with a furnace upgrade. Older models operate in the 55 to 70 percent range of energy efficiency, whereas newer models push 95 or even 98 percent. In addition, you should have your furnace cleaned every few years and ensure all the ducts are tight and properly sealed. To make the most of the warm air in your home, consider partially closing upstairs vents and fully opening those downstairs. Because heat rises, the top floor often steals most of the heat. Partially closing vents can help keep other areas warmer without damaging or stressing your HVAC system.
I thank all my Greenville SC readers for taking the time to read this post. Don’t forget to give us a call with any of your heating and cooling needs.