Does Closing Heat Registers Save Energy? An Expert Weighs In

Heating your home for the winter can be expensive, so it’s understandable that people look for ways to cut costs. One home-heating hack you’ve probably heard is to close heat registers in unused rooms to save money. If the room is not occupied, why heat it, right?

Does Closing Heat Registers Really Save Money?

Unfortunately, closing heat registers can actually have the opposite effect: increasing energy costs. We spoke to HVAC expert Andrew Hancock for his advice on the pros and cons of closing heat registers in your home. Find out why this well-intended practice might cause more harm than good.

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Before Doing Anything, Consult an HVAC Contractor

Get advice from an HVAC contractor before you start closing off heat vents, especially with today’s high-efficiency furnaces and well-balanced systems.

Surprisingly, closing vents might actually add to your heating bill. That’s because with the heat vent closed, the suction from the return air duct can pull in cold air from the outside through any cracks around windows, exterior doors or exterior wall electrical boxes.

“Closing certain heat registers in the home results in pressure imbalances, which can overwork your HVAC system and even cause leaks in your ductwork over time,” says Hancock.

Why Duct Seams Matter

If the heat duct seams haven’t been sealed properly, the extra pressure from closed-off vents will force hot air through the leaks. That can be as much as 15 percent of heated air into basements, crawl spaces and floor cavities instead of into rooms. If you have a well-designed, finely tuned heating system, closing off too many rooms can damage your furnace because it has to work too hard to distribute the air. So, if you still want to seal off these rooms, consider hiring an HVAC contractor for advice.

Alternative Solutions to Closing Heating Vents

Closing the heat register and door without sealing the return air duct can actually increase cold air infiltration and cost you more than you thought you’d save.

“Instead, I suggest using magnetic vent covers or airflow diverters to redirect the heat where you need it without fully blocking the vents,” says Hancock. “If you really want to focus on specific rooms and avoid heating unused ones, adding a zoning system and smart thermostats is a much better solution—it will help you save more and won’t damage your system.”

Ways to Save Energy and Still Stay Warm During Winter

Whether you’re battling rising heating costs or simply looking for cozy winter solutions, these tips will help you stay warm and save energy.

• Why Are Heating Bills Increasing This Winter?
• Ways to Cut Your Heating Bills
• Simple Tricks to Keep Your House Warm All Winter
• Unexpected Ways to Keep Your House Warm This Winter
• DIY Projects to Keep Your House Warm This Winter
• Ways to Warm Up a Cold Room That Actually Work
• How to Keep Your House Warm During a Power Outage
• Best Ways to Heat a Garage In the Winter
• How to Save on Heating Costs In an Apartment
• Heating Myths You Need to Stop Believing
• Simple Heating and Air Conditioning Fixes
• Why You Shouldn’t Close Off Vents to Save Money in the Winter
• This Fan Trick Can Keep Your House Warm All Winter

About the Expert

Since 2013, Andrew Hancock has been the president of Gilman Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, a respected company in Virginia known for its century-long history in home comfort services. Before his time at Gilman Heating, Justin spent years working as a plumber and then as an HVAC expert, where he built a solid foundation of skills and knowledge.