Every heating season, when your energy bills start climbing, you wonder how you can limit the amount of air your home uses. You may even consider closing or blocking the vents in rooms you don't use as often. This is a bad idea. Here are some of the problems closing your HVAC vents can cause.
Airflow problems. Whether your vents are open or closed, your HVAC system still sends the same amount of air through your home. If a vent is blocked, air pressure will build up behind it, which in turn throws off the airflow for the rest of your home. The only way your home can regulate which vents receive air is if you have a zoning system, in which case it adjusts the air automatically based on your thermostat settings — and the vents still don't need to be closed.
Efficiency problems. While the same amount of air is being produced, with closed HVAC vents, less air is actually reaching your home. This means your system will need to run longer and use more energy to heat your home properly. Additionally, the system gets overworked, causing more frequent breakdowns and, ultimately, wearing out the unit sooner.
Cracked heat exchanger. Over time, the buildup of air pressure from closed HVAC vents can get backed up all the way to your furnace. That excess pressure can then crack the heat exchanger. Not only is this expensive damage that needs to be repaired, it can cause carbon monoxide to leak into your home, endangering you and your family.
Mold and mildew. As air gets backed up in your ductwork, so does moisture. Condensation forms, resulting in mold and mildew growth inside your ducts. The spores then blow into your home through the vents, exacerbating allergies and asthma and causing illness. If there's a persistent mildew smell in your home and you can't identify the source, call your HVAC technician to inspect your ducts. You may need extensive duct cleaning.
For help optimizing the efficiency of your HVAC vents, contact us at Air Assurance. We provide Broken Arrow with quality home-comfort solutions.