I noticed something strange about my heating system
By dragon54u
@dragon54u (31636)
United States
February 15, 2009 11:33am CST
It's quite cold here, 33 right now, and I just noticed that some of my vents are emitting cold air. These vents are the ones closest to outside walls. The ones on the inner wall are emitting warm air. It seems to me that this would be counter productive!
Has anyone else experienced this? Should I block off those vents that are putting out cool air instead of warm and would this increase the warm air coming through the other vents? I have the heat set at 68 but it feels more like 65, I'm wearing thick warm pants, a heavy shirt and a sweater and it still feels cold to me.
Thanks for any help or suggestions!
3 responses
@kellyjeanne (1576)
• United States
1 Mar 09
I don't know if we're talking about the same thing, but, I have central heat and air and I have noticed something very interesting. When I have the air on and I walk by the vents nearest to the controls on the wall the air coming out of the vents seem rather warm. If I have the heat on then the air coming out of the vents seem to be a bit cold. I don't know if we're talking about the same thing, but, it is interesting :)
Purrs,
Catwoman=^..^= & Mija
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
1 Mar 09
The vent below the thermostat does put out cold air when the heat is on but I haven't noticed hot air when the a/c is on. I've blocked off the vents that are putting out the cold air. It seems to have improved things a bit!
@Aussies2007 (5336)
• Australia
16 Feb 09
If the vents are on the outside wall... and it is the wind pushing the cold air inside... you should close them.
However... while the cold air comes in... so does the hot air goes out of them. This permit the air circulation in your home and renew the oxygen.
I would only keep them open if you are a non smoker and don't use a gaz heater with a expose flame. The gaz heater burns all the oxygen inside your home... so you need ventilation to renew it. As for smoking... your home will fill up with secondary smoke really quickly... so you need ventilation as well.
You will get cold by sitting for long period of time... no matter how warm it is inside. You need to move to get your blood circulating.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
16 Feb 09
I decided to block them off as best I can. One of them is not removable so I have to find something to lay over it. I don't use space heaters, they are too dangerous and we have houses burn down every winter because of them.
I smoke but not in my house, I don't want it stinking and I don't want my dogs to breathe in that stuff. I've cut way back because it's really cold outside! This is really helping me and maybe I'll be able to quit soon! 
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
15 Feb 09
Sounds like you might not have enough or not a high enough grade insulation on your outer walls to me, but I am not an expert by far.
I would close of the vents and just leave the ones emitting warm air open.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
15 Feb 09
I'm considering that. My house was built in 1923 and the only added insulation is 1/4" foam that they added before putting on the new vinyl siding last year. I noticed an improvement after that but not enough to keep me really warm!
Thanks for validating my thoughts and for your timely response! 
