Does it make a difference to close all the vents upstairs so the heat rises? Or should you leave them all open?

Well, closing some vents in places where you don't need as much heating or cooling can help increase the pressure in open vents. Think about your car. If you close two vents the air pressure coming out of the others increases.

So first of all you can limit airflow to rooms not used so much or that seem "overconditioned"... such as a room that gets a lot of sun not needing as much heat as a room positioned away from the afternoon sun.

And yes, heat rises... this is irreguardless of whether the vents are closed. Its not uncommon to have some vents closed in an upstairs level and more open down to get a balance.

And while you are at it, a programmable thermostat, if you don't already have one, can save you money, especially if nobody is in the house during the day.

well, closing some vents in places where you dont need as much heating or cooling can help increase the pressure in open vents. think about your car. if you close two vents the air pressure coming out of the others increases.

so first of all you can limit airflow to rooms not used so much or that seem "overconditioned"... such as a room that gets a lot of sun not needing as much heat as a room positioned away from the afternoon sun.

and yes, heat rises... this is irreguardless of whether the vents are closed. its not uncommon to have some vents closed in an upstairs level and more open down to get a balance.

and while you are at it, a programmable thermostat, if you dont already have one, can save you money, especially if nobody is in the house during the day.


Good answer , but be careful.

Your system needs a specific volume of air to pass through for proper operation. The duct system is designed to move the required air.

When you start restricting the ducts, your efficiency lessens.

The same thing happens when your filters become dirty, they slow the air movement.

As far as getting more heat and or cooling in rooms that seem under supplied try running the blower continuously this will constantly re-mix and filter the air and eventually all rooms will become nearly the same temperature.

Most blower motors are designed for a continuous run and are more efficient to run continuously, than to stop and start several times a day.