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Ceiling air vents can be opened and closed to control the airflow in a room. To open a ceiling air vent, locate the lever or dial on the vent cover and slide it or turn it to the open position. This allows air to flow freely into the room. To close a ceiling air vent, simply slide or turn the lever or dial to the closed position. This restricts the airflow and can help redirect it to other areas of the room. Opening and closing ceiling air vents can help regulate temperature and improve comfort in different areas of a space.
It’s simple to adjust the HVAC vents in your home by using the lever or dial to open or close them. However, it’s important to understand when it’s appropriate to do so. If your central air has a separate ducting system from your furnace, closing vents in unused rooms can help prevent winter drafts. But in general, it’s best to keep your vents open for optimal HVAC performance.
There’s a common misconception that closing vents in unused rooms will save money on heating and cooling. However, this can actually cost you more in the long run and shows a lack of understanding about HVAC systems.
Understanding HVAC Airflow
HVAC systems are designed as closed systems and are sized based on the square footage of your home. A technician will choose a blower motor that’s strong enough to efficiently circulate air throughout your home. A properly sized system will have enough force and air pressure to circulate air and recycle it back into the HVAC loop through an air return.
The Negative Impact of Closed Vents
Closing vents in unused rooms increases air pressure in your HVAC system and can cause leaks in imperfect ducts. This means that your conditioned air is blowing into areas where it won’t reach you, causing longer run times and higher energy bills. Even if you have a new HVAC system with perfect seams and no air leaks, increased pressure still means your blower motor must work harder and run more often to push air through the system.
When to Make Exceptions
It’s best to keep your vents open, but there are exceptions. For example, if you have two air return vents, the one on the upper floor is for air conditioning. As warm air rises, it’s important to pull it out of your home and back into the air conditioner for cooling and recycling.
The cold air return for the heater should be located on the first floor of the house, allowing the cold air to be drawn back into the heating system as it sinks and heated up to keep you warm. It is advisable to keep your vents open, but you can close the air return that is not required based on the season – heating or cooling. If you have separate air conditioning and heating systems, you can shut the vents to the system that you are not using presently. Typically, the vents delivering conditioned air are located high on the walls or ceiling as cold air sinks, while the warmed air vents are near the floor. Some vents have the option to direct airflow, which is acceptable as it does not block or minimize the airflow.