Does Closing Vents Redirect Air?

Opening your vents in Greenville could impact your climate control system. Your home demands attention, and so does your HVAC system. A comfortable home is only possible if your HVAC system is working efficiently. While the bitterly cold months or long summers can make you worry about the energy bills, there is no point in believing the myth that your energy costs be lowered by shutting off or blocking your HVAC system’s inbuilt vents in Greenville, SC.

It’s a common myth that shutting off vents in rooms that are less frequently used will help lower your energy bills. However, science does not support this at all. A professional HVAC technician can tell you that doing so will cause more damage to your HVAC system, your home, and your family than any good. Vents are inserted into your home’s system for an important reason and that you can find other, safer ways of maintaining a comfortable home and keeping your energy bills affordable.

Explained below are some of the facts and reasons behind why you should never shut off or block the vents in Greenville in your HVAC system:

Proper Airflow in Heating and Air in Greenville, SC:

The vents in your HVAC system are required because of the need to ensure the outflow of air while your HVAC system is working to attain the desired temperature. By blocking off vents in Greenville in any room, that conditioned air has nowhere to go. This air is not redirected to other, more frequently used rooms, it only builds up the pressure inside the vent in smaller spaces which can lead to leaks and bursts.

These leaks can cause further problems by releasing air and effectively wasting it, leaving your HVAC system to work overtime to make up for the lost energy, increasing your total energy bill in the process.

Heat Exchangers in HVAC Repair in Greenville, SC:

Additionally, this built-up pressure and temperature inside the vent can damage your heat exchanger. Your heat exchanger is one of the most expensive components of your HVAC system, and it needs a certain amount of return airflow to function. With extra pressure and temperature, it can overheat and this damage can be quite expensive to repair. This can be a huge hazard for your family, because a broken heat exchanger allows carbon monoxide to be blown into your room, posing a health and safety risk.

Mildew and Mold:

If a particular vent is blocked off, then the build-up of air pressure and temperature inside the vents can reach a point of condensation due to differences in temperature between surfaces. This condensation often comes with a rusty smell, and the moisture in the vent space can lead to mildew and mold growing in spaces you cannot reach.

Only an HVAC technician can help properly clean vents and remove any chances of moisture build-up. The resulting mold spores can pose a serious health risk to your family.

Temperature Consistency Across the Home:

There are two ways that shutting off vents can disrupt the possibility of an even temperature across your home. Firstly, the vent that is closed will cause air pressure to build up inside vents in Greenville, leading to leaks and bursts.

As opposed to the common belief, this air is not evenly redirected throughout the home but instead creates uneven airflow inside the vent and duct structure, which means that some rooms will remain colder and some warmer, based on their distance from the furnace. The HVAC system, however, continues to work overtime, but is unsuccessful in creating an even temperature, driving up energy bills.

Secondly, the pressure inside a closed room with a blocked-off vent can become low, leading to unconditioned air seeping in from gaps and leaks. This multiplies the uneven temperature pockets throughout your home based on the weather outside.

Increased Maintenance and Lower Lifespan of Your HVAC System:

If vents in Greenville are left blocked, the resulting damage can have an impact on the health of your HVAC system, demanding more frequent maintenance and repairs as well as leading to a costly and brand new installation of a new system. The decreased lifespan of your HVAC system can come years ahead without the proper care and right tools to manage energy and airflow correctly.

Protect Your HVAC System Today:

For the best services when it comes to repairing HVACs in Greenville, SC, contact General Air today and build a long-term and safe solution to your HVAC troubles. Bust myths and ensure the correct ways and tools are employed to protect your home and your pocket.