There seems to be some confusion as to when to shut off heating and air vents and when to close doors to rooms in your house that aren’t used anymore. Kids go off to school, move away or you simply don’t need those rooms. Seems like closing those rooms off would be the thing to do now, right? Think again. Doing so could cost homeowners more than they think. Here’s why. Your HVAC system generates heat or cool air, then distributes it to all rooms of your house.
What Closing off Vents & Closing Doors Can Do to Your HVAC System
Your HVAC system generates heat or cool air, then distributes it to all rooms of your house. Shutting off vents or closing doors doesn’t stop the system from producing the hot or cool air. It just shuts down the arteries that allow the air to circulate. This is where the problem begins.
Extend the Life of Your Furnace
Most homes don’t have extra ductwork or vents. So closing vents will cause your furnace to overheat. Also, the fan motor will have a shorter lifespan. Overuse of the fan motor causes your house to use more electricity.
When the air conditioner is running, closing vents and doors can cause indoor coils to freeze, stopping the airflow. Also, rooms that don’t get conditioned air can develop mold and mildew, which can lead to a myriad of other future expenses that homeowners may not be thinking about.
So if you think you want to shut vents and close off rooms of your house to save money, think again. Doing this might reduce the lifespan of your HVAC system. It could also cause damage that can lead to expensive repairs. Before you do anything, ask your HVAC service provider to check your duct system’s capacity. He or she will be able to tell you whether or not you can do without these vents.