How Proper Foundation Vent Care Can Save Energy

The Foundation vents of your HVAC system can have a direct impact on the energy efficiency of your property. In order to conserve energy and control your bill, the vents should be closed during winter and open during summer. However, since many homeowners know little about HVAC unit repair or maintenance, this can sometimes be neglected.  So here are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about foundation vents.

Do Foundation vents require cleaning?

Your foundation vents can contain a number of insects and other debris, so they should be included in your regular ventilation cleaning routine.

How can Foundation Vents Save Me Money?

If you live in a colder climate and your home has a crawl space, you will benefit from opening the foundation vents during the summer months and closing them during colder winter months. This will allow warm air to circulate through the space under your floor during summer to add ventilation, while in winter you will prevent colder air from causing the floor of your home to cool.

How Will this Save Energy?

Your HVAC system will not need to work hard to combat a cold floor. This will also allow your ducts and any water pipes to remain a little warmer making them less likely to freeze and need emergency air duct repair.

How Many Foundation Vents Are In My Home?

The number and size of foundation vents can vary from property to property. This figure has been calculated to allow an adequate amount of ventilation, especially in newer properties. Building codes require a certain number of vents based on the volume of air and floor space. This is essential to keep the space drier and reduce the chance of mold, mildew or dry rot becoming established.

Foundation vents are an integral part of your HVAC system, so it is important that they are checked when you are performing your regular HVAC maintenance or undertaking air filter replacement, to ensure that they are opened or closed according to the needs of the season.