Why You Shouldn’t Close Air Vents in Unused Rooms, According to an HVAC Pro Closing vents in unused rooms can strain your system and increase your utility bill. In This Article View All In This Article Why People Close Their Air Vents Should You Close Air Vents? Does It Save Money? What to Do Instead Close Credit: Getty Images Key Points Closing vents may seem helpful, but it actually stresses your HVAC system and can raise your energy bills.Today’s HVAC systems need steady airflow, so blocking vents makes them run longer and work harder.Simple steps like changing filters, sealing leaks, and boosting insulation help heat your home more efficiently. Closing air vents in rooms you rarely use may seem like an easy way to reduce your utility bill and add more heat to the rooms you do spend time in, but it could do more harm than good. Your HVAC system is designed to move a certain amount of air throughout your house, and shutting air vents disrupts this balance, potentially causing issues with your system and even higher utility bills. Ahead, an HVAC expert explains why you should never close your air vents—and what to do instead to make your system run more efficiently. Devin Coyne, HVAC technician for Climate Solutions Services, with more than 10 years of experience Should You Cover Your AC Unit in Winter? HVAC Experts Weigh In Why People Close Air Vents in Unused Rooms According to Devin Coyne, HVAC technician for Climate Solutions Services, there are two main reasons people close their air vents. The first is that they think closing air vents in unused rooms will force more air into rooms where more time is spent. For example, if you have an unfinished basement you never use, you may close the vents in that room thinking it will better heat your living room or bedroom. Another common reason people close their air vents is that they think it will conserve energy and lower their utility bills. While this used to be the case with older heating systems that didn't require precise airflow to properly function, the systems used today don't operate the same way. Should You Close Air Vents in Your Home? Coyne strongly advises against closing the air vents in your home. "Your HVAC system is designed to move a certain amount of air, known as cubic feet per minute (CFM), throughout your home," he says. "Closing the air vents prevents that from happening, causing static pressure to build up inside your ductwork. The increase in static pressure will cause your furnace to overheat." Don't Miss 7 Space Heater Mistakes Safety Experts Want You to Avoid Should You Cover Your AC Unit in Winter? HVAC Experts Weigh In Does Closing Air Vents Save You Money? Despite the myth that closing air vents reduces utility bills, doing so can actually have the opposite effect. "Your heater is designed to heat your entire house evenly," says Coyne. "If it’s unable to do that due to blocked air vents, it will run longer in an attempt to warm up the areas of your home that are cooler than the rest of your house, increasing your utility bill." What to Do Instead Instead of closing air vents, there are other steps Coyne says you can take to better heat your home and reduce energy costs. Regular maintenance: Hire a professional to visit your home once a season and inspect your system to ensure everything is properly functioning. Undetected errors, such as leaks, can cause your HVAC system to run less efficiently.Change your air filter: Coyne recommends changing your system’s air filter every one to three months, depending on your system. This ensures air moves properly through your ductwork to efficiently heat your home.Add insulation to your home: Adding insulation throughout your home keeps warm air from escaping in winter and blocks heat from coming in during summer, meaning your HVAC system doesn't need to run as often.Seal leaks: Similarly to adding insulation, sealing gaps or leaks around your home prevents drafts and keeps heat from escaping. Explore more: Home