Many room vents connected to a home’s ventilation system have shutters on them to alter the direction air enters a space. These shutters can also be pushed to close the vent, leading people to believe that they can shut off heating or cooling to a room this way and save money. If the vent doesn’t have shutters, they may try putting an object in front of it to block it and achieve the same effect.

We’ll explain below why doing this doesn’t work, and why it creates problems for your HVAC system. But don’t despair—we’ll have some suggestions at the end for how you can better control home heating and cooling to increase energy efficiency.

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Tags: Fresno, Zone Control Systems
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Can I Save Money on Comfort by Closing Room Vents?

Here in Fresno, heating is definitely a season concern, though it’s not quite the all-consuming necessity that it is in colder places back east. We get our share of chilly nights, but overall the weather here in the Central Valley is very mild. That could leave some homeowners to look into ways to minimize their heating bill in any way they can, using it only during those cold nights when they really need it. A zone control system could be the answer, and luckily, installing zone controls in an existing system is easier than it sounds.

Zone controls basically divide the home into sections, with a separate control for each one. That allows you to shift the temperature up and down individual rooms: to have one temperature in a bedroom which might be particularly chilly, while having a completely different temperature in the kitchen were you may be cooking over a hot stove. You can even turn off the heat in areas of the house you aren’t using.

Often, zone controls can be installed most easily when installing a new heating system, and often involves individual units placed around your home, each with their own controls. That renders an existing duct system inert, however, and may be more than many homeowners want to take on. Luckily, you can install controls in an existing duct system. Specifically, the technician places a series of dampers and valves at strategic points in your duct system, then set up controls that allow you to open and close them at will. That achieves the same effect as a ductless system while still making full use of your existing furnace.

Having said that, you still need the right service if you want to properly install zone controls in an existing system. Luckily, the Fresno heating specialists at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning are on the job. We have plenty of experience with adding zone controls to your existing ducts, and will go through all of the steps with you before performing the task. Call us today to set up an appointment. We’d be happy to discuss your options with you!

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Tags: Fresno, Zone Control Systems
Posted in Heating | Comments Off on Installing Zone Controls in an Existing System