When it comes to making your home more energy-efficient, the biggest wins often come from the smallest, easiest habits. On Day 10 of our Energy Savings series, we’re highlighting one of the simplest tips you can adopt right away: close the doors and vents to rooms you’re not using.
This straightforward practice helps your heating and cooling system focus only on the areas where you actually spend time—cutting down on wasted energy, reducing your utility bill, and creating a more comfortable living environment overall.
Why Closing Unused Rooms Works
Most HVAC systems are designed to heat or cool your entire home, regardless of how much of that space you’re actually using at any given moment. When you leave all doors open and vents flowing freely throughout your house, you’re essentially paying to heat or cool rooms that may stay empty for hours—or even days—at a time.
By closing the doors to these unused spaces and shutting the vents, you reduce the amount of square footage your HVAC system has to maintain. This means your furnace or air conditioner doesn’t need to work as hard, which directly lowers your energy usage and utility costs.
Even if you only close off one or two rooms, the impact can be meaningful—especially in larger homes or during seasons with extreme temperatures.
Which Rooms Should You Close Off?
Common candidates include:
- Guest bedrooms
- Formal dining rooms
- Storage rooms
- Home offices or hobby rooms that are only used occasionally
- Finished basements or attics that aren’t part of your daily routine
If a room is unoccupied for long stretches of the day (or night), it’s a perfect opportunity to seal it off for better energy efficiency.
Extra Benefits of Closing Doors and Vents
✅ Energy savings – By heating and cooling less space, your system uses less energy, which saves you money over time.
✅ Prolonged HVAC lifespan – Reducing workload helps minimize wear and tear on your heating and cooling system, potentially extending its life and reducing maintenance costs.
✅ Improved comfort in used rooms – When conditioned air is directed only to the rooms you’re using, they stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer, making them more pleasant.
✅ More consistent airflow – Managing airflow can help balance temperature across your home, especially in older houses with inconsistent ductwork.
Simple Steps to Start Today
Here’s how to put this energy-saving habit into action:
- Identify unused rooms – Walk through your home and note spaces that are unoccupied for long periods of time.
- Close the doors – This prevents air from escaping into or out of the room, helping to insulate the rest of your home.
- Shut the vents – If your system allows it, close the HVAC vents in those rooms. This redirects airflow to the rooms that are in use.
- Use draft stoppers or door sweeps – For even better insulation, consider placing a door snake or installing a sweep at the base of the door to prevent air from leaking under.
- Monitor and adjust – If you notice any rooms becoming too hot or too cold, adjust accordingly. The goal is to balance comfort with efficiency.
When Not to Close Vents
While closing vents in unused rooms is a great strategy for many homes, some HVAC systems—especially older or zoned systems—may not be designed for this type of airflow restriction. If you’re unsure, consult a professional to make sure closing vents won’t cause pressure issues or inefficiencies in your system.
An alternative in such cases is using zoned heating and cooling systems or smart vents that can automatically adjust airflow based on room usage.
It’s All About Smart Energy Use
Closing off unused rooms is a low-effort, high-impact habit that aligns perfectly with sustainable living. As part of our 12 Days of Energy Savings, this tip is a great example of how awareness and action can go hand in hand. You don’t need a home renovation or a new appliance to make a difference—just a little mindfulness and a few closed doors.
Remember: Every bit of energy saved today helps build a more efficient and sustainable tomorrow.
Let’s keep moving toward a greener future—one closed door at a time.
