Why Everyone Needs to Know Where The Heating Vents Are!
Do you know where your heating vents are? Let's be honest: we don't often think about the vents in our home’s heating system. Or about our heating systems, for that matter. We just know that they are there. Winter is almost here.
Soon we'll be cranking up the old furnace and hope it starts. Have you checked your heating vents? Are you going to? Every homeowner should know the basics of how a heating system works and, in particular, where the vents are located.
Heating systems are complicated machines. From energy-efficient to the fuel type used, taking the time to know how our heaters work and where the vents are will make it much easier to troubleshoot relatively minor issues that you can resolve on your own.
Do You Know Where Your Heating Vents Are?
Proper placement of your vents depends on the heating system you use. In general, there should be vents in every room that is 100 square feet, and two or three vents in rooms larger than 100 square feet. Poor vent placement will limit airflow and rooms may heat unevenly.
Knowing where your heating vents can save you money on heating costs because you will be able to inspect the vents yourself and determine their condition. If you see cracks or other damage, you'll be able to repair them immediately.
Types of Distribution Systems
The vents inside your home, also known as the air distribution system, is in reality what keeps every room in the house warm and cozy. Vents distribute heated air all around your home after your heating system heats the air.
Then it is sent throughout the various rooms in the house. This is done with either forced-air, gravity, or radiant systems, which we will explain below.
Forced-Air Systems
A forced-air system circulates the heat generated by the system through a blower that pushes the air through metal ducts or vents to all the rooms in the house. When warm air blows into the rooms, cold air will then pass through different ducts into the furnace, where it is then heated. Forced-air systems can be adjusted by either increasing or decreasing how much air flows through the home.
Forced-air systems are very common. They improve air quality indoors, promote energy efficiency, and can offer combined heating and cooling by utilizing the same ductwork and vents to distribute hot or cold air.
Radiant Heating Systems
Radiant systems are another type of heating distribution system. The heat source is usually hot water, which is heated by the furnace and circulated through pipes embedded in the walls, floors, or ceiling. These systems use electric heating panels to produce heat which is then radiated into different rooms in the house.
Usually more efficient than forced-air heating, radiant heating systems eliminate duct losses due to cracks and leaks in the ductwork. Radiant heat is preferred by people who suffer from respiratory ailments because it does not blow irritants around the house the way forced-air systems do.
Gravity Systems
Gravity systems work on the assumption that hot air rises. The furnace of a gravity system is found near the floor or below. Warm air flows upward and through ducts to vents that are on the floor throughout the house. If the furnace is on the main floor, the vents will usually be placed high on the walls because they must be higher than the furnace.
Closing Your Heating Vents Can Backfire on You!
Closing your heating and cooling vents in order to save money may not be saving you money at all.
This will force your system to circulate air in a way that it was not intended to. Your system's heating efficiency may also be compromised by installing the vents in the wrong place.
Because warm air rises and transfers to cooler areas in the room, heating vents in gravity systems should ideally be placed near the floor. If placed close to the ceiling, the heat will not heat the floor evenly because the vents will absorb all the heat.
Want to know more about the heating vents inside your home? Give C.Woods Co in Tyler, TX a call to discuss your heating and cooling vents and how you may be able to save money on your energy bill.
