Why You Shouldn’t Close Your Air VentsWhy You Shouldn't Close Your Air Vents

Have you ever been advised to close off vents in rooms or areas that aren’t occupied as often? Most people believe that closing your vent allows the air flow to find its way to a more suitable room, however, this is not entirely true. As Michigan winter approaches, households may gravitate to that old habit but Amber’s Air Duct Cleaning is here to tell you why you shouldn’t close your air vents!

Any information provided will not be sold or used.
*Your email address will not be shared or sold to any other establishment.
*Your phone number will not be shared or sold to any other establishment.

It’s common sense right? Say your HVAC system blows air to room A and B. Perhaps room B is not used as often and you would like the air to be distributed to only room A. It makes sense to close room B’s vents so that the air flow exits out through room A, however, this method is foreign to your HVAC system! Closing vents will actually work against you and here’s how.

Your HVAC system was designed to run for an entire home. Yup! That’s right, the whole house, the kitchen, the bed rooms, the living area, and even that bathroom nobody ever uses! HVAC systems are uniquely programmed to distribute adequate air to the whole house. Closing off vents prevents a smooth cycle but on the other hand, it creates a back flow. When you don’t allow air to escape into an area, the back flow forces the air to go back toward the equipment. Over time, this back flow will be too much for your system to handle and eventually create leaks in your ducts.

In addition, you may be causing your system to work even harder by closing off vents. Pressure build up forces the HVAC system to work harder to achieve a smooth flow. This will lead to an increase in your energy bill due to more energy spent.

In conclusion, it’s always best to just keep your vents open. Closing off the vents can actually cause some issues down the road for your and your family. An alternative option for maintaining a desired temp, is to invest in a space heater and or a fan. Amber’s Air Duct Cleaning are professionals when it comes to your HVAC system. Cleaning your system is also another way to exceed the air flow in your home. Contact us at 517-885-3000 or by filling out a contact form above.