Some homeowners who don’t use their upstairs so much will close the air vents in that area when summer comes. However, far from reducing their cooling bill, this can compromise indoor comfort downstairs and put great wear and tear on the AC.
You Lose Cool Air
One might think that closing the air vents to unused rooms will lead the AC to cool the other rooms more quickly. This isn’t exactly the case. Remember that single-speed air conditioners have a specific cooling capacity and that installers fit them to each home depending on factors like:
- The home’s square footage
- The rate of heat loss
- Insulation levels
- Climate and level of sun exposure
If an AC meets with an obstruction like a closed-off vent, the ducts will become pressurized and the air will more rapidly escape through the ducts. Even if your ducts are well-sealed, it presents a problem because the pressure puts stress on the motor. You don’t want to be faced with a motor replacement. While our technicians at Daniel's Heating & Refrigeration Corp. can perform this job anywhere in Midlothian, VA, it can be expensive.
The AC Runs Longer
Most importantly, your AC will be hindered from reaching your set point. Those warm upstairs rooms may affect the thermostat’s readings. In addition, the return vents upstairs are still open and may take cool air from the rest of your home to send back into the air handler. Watch out for these extremely long cycles. A cycle should last no more than 10 to 15 minutes, and there should be two to three cycles per hour.
Consult Our NATE-Certified Technicians
Daniel's Heating & Refrigeration Corp. has a team of NATE-certified technicians who can travel anywhere in Midlothian to perform AC repairs and maintenance. If your air conditioner is too old and broken to benefit from either, then we’ll replace it. We also deal in furnaces, boilers, water heaters, and indoor air quality systems. To learn more about what we do, contact us today!
