While you may not think about it much, the amount of impressive engineering and technical expertise that has gone into your home heating system is truly astounding. Every element contributes to the success of the overall design, and while a well-constructed, highly efficient furnace is certainly critical, unobstructed airflow is just as important for the overall effectiveness of an HVAC system.
In other words, adequate ventilation is an absolute must for optimal home heating, and the right vent covers are an important part of that. In this article, we’ll discuss what you can do to ensure that your home heating system has the best vent covers for the job. Learn how to choose them and how to ask your local heating and cooling service to properly size and install them.
Vent Covers: What They Are and What They Do
Most buildings in the United States make use of a central heating system, which utilizes a network of ducts to transport heated air throughout the building to various rooms. In each room, there is a vent, which simply refers to an opening that allows the air to both enter and exit. The vent itself is really just a (usually rectangular) hole that has been cut into the wall, floor, or ceiling. On its own, it’s neither particularly aesthetically appealing nor capable of controlling airflow. This is why vent covers are needed.
Vent covers are actually a fairly broad concept: they’re anything that (as the name suggests) covers the vent. However, different vent covers can serve very different purposes. For example, some are designed to be able to adjust or even stop airflow, depending on the need, while others are only really used to keep foreign materials from entering the ventilation system. Regardless of its ultimate purpose, a good vent cover must be constructed with an eye toward optimizing the flow of air in a given room.
Different Types of Covers
To determine which type of vent cover is required in your room, you will need to consider both its location and purpose.
The most basic type of vent cover is referred to as a grille, and it is simply a slotted cover that allows air to flow both in and out. It doesn’t have any other way of regulating airflow but is still important to prevent large foreign materials from entering the vent.
Registers are covers that are similar to grilles, except they’re fitted with a moveable element called a damper. The damper allows you to open or close the vent, increasing or reducing the airflow based on your current need.
Diffusers are typically connected to vents on the ceiling of a building. They are designed to spread air in every direction at once with the help of gravity; sometimes they have dampers, and sometimes they don’t. Due to their location, diffusers are more difficult to access than other vent covers, but they have the advantage of being positioned in such a way that the airflow will not be blocked by furniture or other obstructions.
What Materials Are Best?
The most commonly used material for vent covers is sheet metal, typically galvanized steel or aluminum. Metal is highly resistant to the heat generated by the HVAC system and can be cut and shaped in any way that the vent itself necessitates. It can also be given an aesthetically pleasing design if the building owner so desires. Some metal vent covers are ornately decorated, while others are simple, minimalist designs.
Plastic resins are also frequently used to create vent covers. This material is excellent for resisting humidity, but care must be taken to choose a compound that can handle the heat stress an HVAC system creates. Polystyrene is an example of a compound that is rated to withstand continuous exposure to the relatively high temperatures an HVAC system generates.
Occasionally, you may also see vent covers made from wood. While it lacks the same ability to withstand heat and humidity as the other materials mentioned, wood can do the job just fine if it is properly treated and maintained. Usually, wooden covers are installed over vents in hardwood floors, mainly for the aesthetic appeal they offer.
Measuring the Vent Covers in Your Building
To get an accurate measurement for a vent cover, begin by measuring the length and width of the vent opening itself. The cover will then need to be at least half an inch larger. Pre-made vent covers usually have the sizing marked on them. If you are having custom ones cut by your local heating and cooling service, you will need to furnish them with the vent measurements or allow them to take their own.
Size compatibility is critical since a vent cover that is too small will, of course, not actually cover the vent, while one that is too large will hamper the overall efficiency of the airflow in the room. According to the ENERGY STAR website, return vents that are too small are a major contributor to poor energy efficiency in a building. Correctly sized vent covers are a part of the solution to this problem.
Installation Process
Installing the vent covers is usually fairly simple. In most cases, they can be screwed indirectly to the wall. You will, however, have to make sure that you have oriented them in the correct direction, which will differ depending on the direction the air is expected to flow. For example, a vent cover placed high up will probably need to have the vents facing downward, while one located closer to the floor will need to be oriented in such a way that the air can flow upward.
Due to the complex factors involved in installing air vent covers in the home, it’s a good idea to have them professionally installed by a local heating and cooling service. Since incorrect installation can have a negative impact on the energy efficiency of your building, you should look for contractors like All Weather Heating & Cooling in Ohio, who offer satisfaction guarantees. Pros from a heating and cooling service will ensure each vent cover is the right size and type for your space so you can keep your rooms comfortable year-round.
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