People have come up with many theories on how to save money on heating and air conditioning costs. One such theory is keeping interior doors closed while your HVAC system is running. But does this actually boost your home’s energy efficiency or ends up impairing it? Read on to learn more.
The Truth about Closing Interior Doors
Some of the main ideas behind leaving doors shut are to reduce the air movement required and the square footage that needs heating or cooling. On the surface, the ideas seem to make sense that your system will run more efficiently. But in reality, closing doors can increase your system’s energy consumption.
When you close a door to a room while your home comfort system is running, the air that’s been pumped to that room remains trapped inside. As a result, the pressure in the room increases, forcing the trapped air to escape through any cracks, crevices, and openings around the windows, ceiling, floor, and walls. The air lost has to be replaced by an equal amount. Your system works harder to compensate for these conditions.
The Effect of Leaving Doors Open
When you leave interior doors open, air flows freely and more quickly from one room to another, preventing pressure problems. It will be easier for your HVAC system to heat or cool the house evenly. It will also consume less energy.
Keeping interior doors open as much as possible helps you get the most out of your heating and cooling system. If you must close your bedroom door for privacy reasons when going to bed at night, consider opening it at least a crack and keeping it open during the day. For more useful heating and cooling tips, please contact us at Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company. Since 1952, we’ve served the HVAC needs of satisfied clients in the Yuma area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Yuma, Arizona about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 928-723-3183.
