Saving money on your monthly energy bill sounds great, but lowering costs can be tricky. There’s a common idea out there that you should close the vents in your unused rooms. Unfortunately, that isn’t always sound advice.
The Thought Process
It seems like closing vents would direct all the hot or cold air into the rooms that you actually use. While this is true, there are a lot of side effects that can negatively affect the performance and life span of your heater or air conditioner.
What Really Happens
Closing vents create a situation in which excess air needs a place to go. Since it can’t go into a room when the vent is closed, it can actually cause air leaks in your system as it pushes its way toward other places. When those air leaks occur, your whole unit needs to work harder to make the same impact. At the same time, blocked vents can alter the pressure in those closed-off rooms. In the winter, that pressure differential can end up drawing in cold air from around your windows and doors.
How You Can Save Money on Your Energy Bill
Rather than closing vents in certain rooms, there are other things you can do to lower your utility bills. First, you can have a licensed technician from [company_name] come out and perform maintenance services. This can involve cleaning out ducts and vents, ensuring that electrical components are properly connected, and calibrating various components that can affect the overall performance of a unit. This is especially important if you live in a hot climate like Phoenix where air conditioners are often required to maintain a healthy environment.
Second, you can think about replacing an old unit with a newer model. If your heater or AC is older than 10 years or approaching that age, it may be worth it to upgrade to a unit that can run more efficiently.
If you need heating or AC service in Phoenix, call Plumbing & A/C Medic to schedule an appointment.
