Should You Close the Air Supply Vents in Your Home?

Don't Damage Your HVAC System - Keep Your Vents Open

Climate control technology is one of humanity’s greatest inventions because it allows people to live in environments that would otherwise be uninhabitable. While Northern California hardly qualifies as inhospitable terrain, there are times when it’s too hot or cold to be comfortable. If you’ve ever turned your system on and not reached the desired temperature in your den or bedroom, it might be tempting to close a few air supply vents in unused areas of the house. Here’s why it’s a much better idea to call an experienced HVAC company in Santa Rosa instead of closing a vent or two.

​How Your HVAC System Works

While the mechanisms for heating and cooling are different, the basic operation of your climate control system is the same for either process. The unit uses a large fan to draw air into the system through intake vents, conditions it, and then sends it back out through supply registers. For this to work properly, a lot of air needs to move through your ductwork. Based on this model, you might think that closing off a vent in an unused room will create more volume for other parts of the house, but this conventional wisdom doesn’t account for a problem: static pressure.

What Is Static Pressure?

 A simple explanation of static pressure is the amount of resistance air encounters as it passes through your HVAC system. While there will always be some amount of resistance based on the system’s design, other complications such as undersized ductwork or clogged filters create more pressure. As this number goes up, your equipment needs to work harder to do its job. A closed damper exacerbates this problem because it creates one fewer place air can escape.

Negative Consequences of Closing Vents

Closing the vents in your home might achieve the result you’re looking for, but it’s only a temporary solution to a larger problem. As static pressure continues to build in your system, you’ll begin to experience complications:

• Higher utility bills
• Frozen condenser coils
• Uneven heating and cooling
• Premature equipment failure

What To Do Instead of Closing Vents

If you aren’t reaching the desired temperatures in your home, there are better solutions than closing vents and registers. Have an HVAC technician measure the static pressure in your system to see if there are any upgrades that could alleviate resistance. You can also consider creating zones in your house, which means there’s a separate thermostat for each floor. It might also be time to upgrade your equipment because a properly-sized unit can reach comfortable temperatures with all registers wide open.

Trust the Professionals 

Now you know why it isn’t a good idea to close vents and registers in your home, it’s time to let the professionals figure out why your home isn’t comfortable. At Next Level Heating & Air Conditioning, we know the unique demands of winter and summer in Santa Rosa, and we’re ready to make your family comfortable all year. To learn about our service offerings or request an estimate for your project, contact us online or call our office today at 707-228-9921.