Closing vents in rooms you rarely use can seem like a simple way to send more conditioned air to the spaces you enjoy most. Grant’s answer is measured: a little adjustment may help, but closing too many vents can create problems for the HVAC system.
Small adjustments may be reasonable
Grant mentions an unused room or a modest adjustment to basement vents as examples of changes that might be useful. His advice is limited, rather than an endorsement of closing off large parts of the house.
The goal is to improve comfort without restricting airflow too much. Whether a particular change is appropriate depends on the system, so a strategy that seems helpful in one home should not automatically be applied to another.
Too much restriction can affect reliability
Grant cautions that excessive restriction can affect system operation and lead to maintenance or reliability issues. In the video, he does not recommend a fixed number of vents to close or a percentage that is safe for every home.
That means this is not a blanket energy-saving technique. If several rooms are uncomfortable, shutting vents throughout the house is not the same as identifying why the air is not reaching those spaces effectively.
Ask about the specific vent you want to adjust
Grant suggests raising the question when a service technician is at your home. Explain which room you rarely use and where you would like more heating or cooling. The technician can advise whether that particular adjustment is suitable.
For help balancing comfort in your home, contact Darnold & Lyons and describe which rooms feel too warm or too cool.
