by Denton Municipal Electric

I don’t want to waste any money by heating and cooling rooms I’m not in.
Is it a good idea to close off vents in unoccupied rooms?

We all know it’s efficient to shut off the lights and fans when we leave a room. And you probably know that you can save energy by leaving space heaters and window air conditioners off in unoccupied rooms. So, when it comes to your central heating and air conditioning, is it smart to close the vents when a room isn’t being used?  A good rule of thumb is: Don’t close off more than two vents at a time. Remember that, unlike a fan or a space heater, your central heating and air conditioning is a system that covers your whole house. Closing a vent affects the entire structure, not just a single room. And since your system is sized and designed specifically for your house, closing off multiple vents can put stress on your system, potentially causing it wear out faster.

You also want to keep in mind that rooms with supply vents but not return vents (and this is likely to be the majority of rooms in your house) should not be sealed off from the rest of the house for long periods of time. For instance, if a bathroom door stays closed most of the day while the heater or air conditioner is running, positive pressure will build up in that room, putting stress on your system.  So keep doors and vents open this winter to reduce stress on your system. These steps and a well insulated attic will help keep your home comfortable this winter.

Got a question for the energy expert? Email it to brian.daskam@cityofdenton.com.