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Should I Keep Interior Doors Open When Running AC?

 

Should I keep Interior Doors Open When Running AC

Nowadays, homeowners are extremely keen on finding creative and effective ways to save energy. If you’re one of those homeowners, good for you! Being conscious about the way we consume energy not only leads to lower energy bills but can also lead to a better, healthier environment.

One method to reduce energy you might have heard of is to keep interior doors closed when running your AC. Many people think that if you shut doors to rooms that aren’t being used, you won’t have to cool them. This way the AC will have lesser space to keep cool, which will shorten the AC’s cooling cycles and save energy.

This might seem like a good idea in theory. In practice however, it will end up using more energy and cost you more money. Confused? Let the team at Action Air explain. 

Should I keep interior doors open when running my AC? —Yes, you should.

Contrary to what you might have been told, you should keep interior doors open when running the AC. The reason we think it best to leave the doors open is because keeping them closed might create pressure problems in your home.

When your AC is going through a cooling cycle and you close the door to an unoccupied room, the supply vent will still be pumping conditioned air into the room. The conditioned air will be trapped inside the closed room and will increasingly become pressurized. With the pressure building up in the room, the air will find a way to escape. The air, that your AC produced using a considerable amount of energy, will end up escaping through cracks and spaces in the ceiling, windows, floors and walls. Because of this, you might end up wasting energy.

When your AC is not going through a cooling cycle, the closed off room will face a “negative pressure” problem. Essentially, when the door is closed, the airflow from other parts of your home will be halted. This will lead to air from unconditioned areas (basements, crawlspaces, garage etc.) entering your home through the same cracks and spaces air escaped. Unconditioned and unfiltered air is more likely to enter your home this way. This will worsen your indoor air quality—plus, your AC will have to work harder during the next cycle and will have to use more energy to do so.

So, it’s best to keep your interior doors open when running your AC to ensure there aren’t any high pressure or low-pressure spots in your home. If you close your door at night for privacy, consider leaving it open just a crack to have proper airflow.

How Can I Save Up on My Utility Bill?

There are many other ways you can save up on energy—and these methods are bound to work.

  • Keep your air filters clean
  • Set your thermostat a little higher, especially when you’re out of the house. According to the Department of Energy, you can save up to 10 % a year on cooling by turning your thermostat up by 7-10 degrees for 8 hours a day.
  • Make use of ceiling fans.
  • Keep the sun out by using shades, curtains and blinds.
  • Make sure your windows are sealed shut—if the weather-stripping is deteriorating, be sure to replace it.
  • Keep your HVAC system well-maintained.

Call Morrow Mechanical for All Your HVAC Needs!

Whether it’s HVAC repair, replacement or maintenance, Action Air has got you covered! Our professionals are committed to complete customer satisfaction the moment we receive your call. So, get in touch today by calling 317-451-4371 or scheduling a service on our website!