How Does an Air Vent Diverter Work?

The proper functioning of your home’s HVAC system is essential to ensure comfortable cooling and heating year-round. A key component of the HVAC is the exit vents. These are the openings that release hot air in the winter and cool air in the summers to regulate the indoor temperature.

The proper positioning and performance of the vents is crucial. Even if all the other components of your HVAC are working perfectly, you may experience poor heating and cooling if the vents are obstructed or not positioned right. For instance, if the vent releasing hot air in the winters is obstructed by a piece of furniture or another object, the hot air will not properly circulate through the room. This will prevent an even and comfortable heating.

Similarly, if the vent is positioned so that air released from it goes into a certain direction, this can prevent proper heating and cooling.

The good news is that you can actually remedy air direction issues of HVAC vents on your own or with some professional help. This is possible with the use of air vent diverters, also known as air vent deflectors.

What is an Air Vent Diverter?

An air vent diverter is a kind of cover that is placed on top of an HVAC vent. The diverter, usually made of plastic, only partially covers the vent. You can get a diverter or deflector for both wall vents and floor vents. You can also choose from a variety of sizes, styles and types.

The basic task a diverter performs is to divert or deflect the air from the vent into a particular direction. For instance, if you have to sit down and work right next to a vent but don’t want the air drafts to directly hit you, a diverter can be used to deflect the drafts.

Similarly, if the air from the vent is not properly reaching a particular spot which you desire to heat or cool, the vent diverter can be used to direct air into that spot. So you can essentially achieve a more focused heating or cooling for the indoor spaces at your home with the help of air vent diverters.

Another reason you may want to use vent deflectors is to move airflow away from obstructions like curtains, plants, walls or furniture. These objects can absorb the heat from the airflow in the winters and the coolness in the summers. This can often result in poor temperature regulation at the center of the room or at the other end. Diverters can help prevent this by suitably regulating and directing the airflow for a more even temperature.

When Is an Air Vent Diverter Needed?

As noted above, there are various situations where an air vent diverter can be a real help. Here are some signs that may indicate that you are in need of one:

  • You have an appliance situated close to the vent
  • You feel hot or cold spots in the home caused by poor airflow regulation
  • Your HVAC has to exert more to achieve the desired degree of heating or cooling
  • You have excessive airflow in specific areas, creating the need to close the vents
  • You want to achieve improved overall heating and cooling in your home without changing the thermostat settings

These are all signs that an air vent diverter might actually be useful for you. A great thing about diverters is that although they cost little upfront, they can actually leave a genuine impact on your energy bills. With improved energy efficiency, your HVAC will have to exert less to achieve the desired degrees of heating and cooling. This results in less energy consumption and lower bills.

You can also use vent extenders when you want to redirect airflow from a vent over a long distance. Extenders, as their name suggests, are longer and allow you to guide air from under a furniture piece or away from a specific room into a hallway.

Hiring a Reliable Greenville Heating and Air Expert

If you are experiencing airflow issues with your HVAC vents, we can help you. Here at General Air, we offer a comprehensive range of HVAC installation, repair and maintenance services. Our experts can handle the installation of HVAC vent diverters as well. We also offer other solutions to help you achieve better energy efficiency at a residential or commercial building. Contact us today to hire our services, get free estimates, or simply consult out experts over all matters HVAC.