Should I Keep My AC Vents Open or Closed in Unused Rooms?
The temperatures throughout the summer in New Jersey can be hot and humid. To combat uncomfortable living conditions, a lot of residents rely on their central air conditioning systems to keep the air cold. If you’re watching your cooling bill begin to chew into your paycheck, you may be brainstorming ways to save money. If you have performed basic research online about how to save money on your electric bills, you may be wondering if you should keep your AC vents open or closed in unused rooms in your house.
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Will Closing Vents in Unused Room Save Me Money?
Closing vents in unused rooms will not save you money. You heard right. Do not close off the vents in your home. If you are in a generous mood, you can call up your parents and tell them that closing vents will not reduce their cooling bill either.
Your air conditioning system was built with the square footage of your home in mind. When you begin opening and closing AC vents, your system is still working to provide cold air to your entire home. When all that cold air reaches the end of a duct that has been closed off, it will find holes in your ventilation system and you will soon be paying to provide cold air to the space between your floors. The efficiency of your system goes down, and your air conditioner will work harder to cool the reduced square footage.
Air pressure also plays a role. In the “warm rooms” where you closed off the vents, your air conditioning system will still pull air through the return vents. If one of your warm air returns is located in the “warm room”, warm air from the outside will be pulled in through the spaces around your windows. Since it takes a lot of energy to decrease the temperature of hot air, your air conditioner will be working harder.
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Closing Your Vents Will Shorten the Lifespan of Your Air Conditioner
If you decide to close your vents in unused rooms for an extended period of time, you will begin to notice dust build up. When your ventilation system experiences restricted air flow, it is unable to circulate the air properly and your ducts will need to be cleaned more often than normal.
If you’re debating about keeping your AC vents open or closed, another variable to consider is the lifespan of the system. An air conditioning system that is forced to work harder will not last as long. That means if you are consistently closing your vents in unused rooms to hopefully save money, you will lose more money in the long run when you have to pay for an expensive air conditioner replacement. Don’t close off your vents.
Have a Professional Perform Continuous Maintenance on Your Air Conditioner
While keeping your AC vents open or closed will not change your cooling bill, continuously replacing your air filter will help decrease the total cost of your monthly bill. Next, schedule a maintenance appointment with our team. A maintained and clean air conditioning system will last longer and save you money. A licensed HVAC technician will be able to pinpoint minor issues with your system before they become costly repairs.
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Air Conditioning Repair Services in New Jersey
Our staff provides dependable air conditioning repair, installation, and tune-up services to homes in New Jersey. Give our team a call by phone at (732) 201-3305 or book an appointment online to receive assistance with an air conditioning system issue. Team Electric provides services in areas of New Jersey including Howell, Middletown, Elizabeth, Trenton, and Tom’s River. We work hard for our customers’ positive feedback and won’t let you down. Your satisfaction is guaranteed 100%. We can help you keep your furnace running cozy and warm all winter long.
