As the temperatures begin to drop, many homeowners start to think of their heating systems. While you may have given some thought to your furnace, it is likely that you have overlooked the important role vents play in your home comfort. If your heating uses a ventilation system in order to distribute the heated and cooled air into different rooms, you are likely to be aware that you have air vents around your home. What you may not be aware of is how much an effect a vent grill can have on your home comfort.
Why A Grill Is Important:
A grill is simply a perforated cover which covers your air vent. Some grilles are designed to direct the airflow with the use of louvers. If the grille features a damper, it may also be called a register or return.
Grills are important as they can significantly improve the energy efficiency of your HVAC system. Installing a grill in the optimum location will allow proper airflow and temperature are maintained without placing a strain on your HVAC system. If the vents are not properly used, the system may be forced to work harder to ensure adequate airflow, or there may be excess noise which can be irritating when you are trying to relax.
Choosing a Grill:
If you have made the decision to install grills on your vents, you may assume that they all offer the same benefits. This is not the case; there are a variety of different types, which can provide different results. Technically, a standard grill has no mechanical parts to move it into an open or closed position. This type of grill is often used for return vents since there is no reason to block of air passage from these vents back to the heater or AC unit. Supply vents usually require a grill which has a damper fitted. This allows control of the airflow direction as it enters the room. While this may not seem important, if you have ever been sat in a restaurant with a fixed grill above you, you are likely to remember your head feeling very warm, while the rest of you felt chilly. This type of hot and cold spotting is usually because a stamped grill has been used, which doesn’t evenly spread the warmed air around the room.
Making Your Grill a Feature:
While your HVAC system is designed to be as unobtrusive as possible, vents can often intrude on your decor. Fortunately, you can make your vents a component in your design with decorative grills. These are available in a number of styles and designs, in wood, metal or plastic to complement your decor. While a basic white plastic grill may look cheap against your expensive new wall covering, an ornate metal grill will look right at home.
If you are considering vent grills to improve your home comfort and aesthetics, you should speak to a professional HVAC specialist. The technician will not only be able to guide you in choosing the right grill placement, but they can also access any vent issues to ensure that your system is operating at peak efficiency.