Read This and You Will Rethink Closing Furnace Vents!

Do you close some of your furnace vents to get more heat to the rooms that need it?

Are you trying to save money by only heating the parts of the house where you’re active?

Many people close the vents in rooms they do not use and close the doors to those rooms. So you’re not alone if you believe that closing vents can save you money, heat the other parts of your house better, and cause your furnace to run less.

Why closing vents seems to make sense

If you’re not using a spare bedroom why not close the vent, save money, and redirect the heat to the other rooms? Most furnace registers (vents) even have a built-in lever that allows you to adjust the louvers behind the grille, change the direction of the air flow, or shut off the airflow altogether.

What actually happens when you close vents

Closing vents and closing doors doesn’t prevent air movement, it just interferes with it. The closed-off room will be under pressure and if it has a return air duct it will pull in cold air from leaks around windows. The warm air trying to push up through the closed vent will create pressure as it backs up and it may leak out of ducts that are not sealed properly or force an opening in the ductwork, leaking warm air into the floor cavity or back down into the basement.

Conclusion

It’s not a good idea to close vents, but if you’re determined to shut off the heat in a room, contact an HVAC technician from your preferred home services company. They will tell you what can be done safely and what adjustments can be made to the operation of your furnace. Alterations you make on your own won’t be covered under the warranty of your HVAC system and could cause serious damage to your HVAC system. A professional technician will ensure that your furnace is working well. Oftentimes, an HVAC technician can help you get your furnace operating more efficiently (and saving you money) in ways that do not involve closing vents.