Will closing my vents help with my energy bills?

August 19, 2019

Trying to manage the temperatures and energy costs in your house can be challenging. There’s one approach many homeowners use to try to come to a solution—closing the vents. Whether you are trying to force cooler air to different spaces or looking for ways to lower your monthly energy bills, closing vents might seem like a good choice.

But you might want to think again.

According to ENERGY STAR, while you could feel some difference in your home, closing the vents could potentially be harmful. It can make your system work harder than it needs to, or the air will find another way out, like through leaky air ducts.

Closing vents also doesn’t benefit energy efficiency. Your system is still going to work hard to push that same amount of air out, so it could actually increase your energy costs. Keep in mind that every house and situation is different. If you have questions, you can contact a qualified technician to take a look.

However, you’re in luck! There are other solutions to meet your needs. Here are a couple products that we recommend:

  • Zoning Systems – This is a great option if you have multiple stories or greater square footage. The zoning systems lets you identify sections or areas of the home and set differing temperatures to help maintain home comfort. This also helps with monthly costs, because you won’t be heating or cooling areas of the home that aren’t in use.
  • Mini-Split Systems – If you’ve added an extra room or space that doesn’t allow you to extend your ductwork, mini-split systems can provide the additional heating or cooling you need. Even better, installation is fairly easy. The only pieces of equipment required are an interior unit on an exterior wall and an outdoor condenser unit.

If you are having difficulties keeping your whole house at a comfortable temperature in West Columbia, give Tri City Fuel & Heating Co., Inc. a call. Our team can help review the situation. You can also schedule an appointment with us online. We’ll walk you through your solutions and discuss the best options to meet your home comfort needs!