Reasons Air Registers Shouldn't Be Closed
Every homeowner wants to save money on utility bills, but closing air registers does the opposite—it wastes money.
Closing air registers sounds like a good idea. It lets less warm and cool air into barely used rooms and directs more to those used most often. And because fewer areas are heated and cooled, money should be saved—right? Wrong.
Closing air registers increases the likelihood of higher energy bills and causes damage to the furnace and air conditioner. Keep reading to uncover why experts say to leave the air registers open, no matter what.
It does more harm than good
Heating and cooling systems are powerhouses ready to run at a moment's notice. They are designed with balance in mind, carefully controlling how much air flows into and out of them for top efficiency. When vents are closed, it disrupts this calculated airflow and can cause several problems, including: heat exchanger cracks, lower efficiency, ductwork leaks or bursts, and mold and mildew growth.
Other issues include increased condensation, compressor failure, or high energy bills because the system can't run efficiently. Additionally, if the evaporator coil doesn't receive enough airflow, there's a higher chance it will ice up and stop working.
Instead of saving money, more money is spent
Every homeowner wants to save money on utility bills, but closing air registers does the opposite—it wastes money. The more closed vents, the harder the system works to move air through the home. This causes it to use more energy and increases the risk of overheating and breakdowns.
Most homes also lose hot or cold air because of leaky ductwork, which worsens when the air registers are closed. The added pressure increases how much air escapes, so the home is left with uncomfortable rooms and more out-of-pocket costs.
Less comfortable, more problems
Heating and cooling systems are designed to operate a certain way. Unfortunately, closing off registers won't change how much airflow the system puts out to save money. Instead, it'll run at total capacity and create hot and cold spots since the air cannot cycle correctly. And because the added pressure amplifies air leaks, less warm and cool air will reach the rooms that need it. It also means the system will cycle on and off incorrectly, leading to more problems, breakdowns, and premature failure.
Long story short, keep the air registers open for good
No matter how tempting it might be to close air registers in a rarely used guest room, den, or attic, leave them open. The system will maintain efficiency, keep the home comfortable, and reduce the need for repairs.
Fix My Air DFW of Fort Worth specializes in residential and commercial HVAC services, including routine maintenance, installation, and repair. All makes/models. Call us at (817)839-3511.
