Will Closing Vents Upstairs Save Me Money?
Your upstairs rooms are unoccupied, so you want to close the vents that supply them with cool air. However, this is not as good of an idea as it sounds. Rather than saving you money by minimizing AC usage, this practice will cause a great deal of problems and cost you more money and headaches in the long run. Your AC and Ducts Are Sized for Your Home Remember that your central air conditioner and your ductwork have been specifically chosen based on the square footage of the living space they’re cooling. Assuming that your AC is a single-speed unit, its cooling capacity will be compromised if you close off one or more vents. The air that should enter those rooms that are closed off will turn back; some of it will enter the other rooms, but a lot of it will escape through cracks and holes in the ductwork. Meanwhile, the return vents in those rooms you closed off are still open and will suck air from its surroundings. This can mean sucking air through windows and doors, which can result in hot and cold spots all throughout your home. Closing Vents Forces the AC to Work Harder Sucking...
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