What are the vents on the outside of my house for?
These vents allow outside air to circulate under the floor in summer to prevent the moisture buildup that encourages mildew and rot. In winter, when the air is drier, the vents are closed to reduce the chance that the pipes in the crawl space might freeze.
How do you cover outside vents?
Close off foundation vents with airtight vent covers that help keep out insects and rodents that often squeeze their way through poorly screened vent openings. Crawl space vent covers are installed over the outside of the vent opening; covers with built-in weatherstripping ensure a tight seal.
What can I use to cover my foundation vents?
Most models come with foam weatherstripping to form an airtight seal around the opening of the vent. If your foundation vent cover doesn’t have this, you’ll want to caulk around the opening to create that seal yourself. Note: Some foundation vents are built into the concrete of your home’s foundation.
Do vent covers work?
Do Air Vent Deflectors Work? They absolutely do! Air vent diverters, or deflectors, work by redirecting the air coming from the HVAC vents for optimal heating and cooling. This is an HVAC accessory, typically made of plastic that fits over the air vents or air vent diffusers in your home.
Is it OK to cover air vents?
While you should never fully close air vents, you may increase energy savings by partially closing one or two outlets in your home that are farthest away from your furnace. Partially closed vents still allow air to flow properly through the HVAC system, which prevents overheating and added pressure to the ductwork.
Can I cover the vents in my house?
You could damage the heat exchanger. If there’s a buildup of pressure from air being pushed to covered vents, the low airflow could create problems with your heat exchanger, causing it to crack and lead to carbon monoxide emissions.
Should I cover my foundation vents?
Your crawl space vents should always be closed and sealed off from the outside elements. First and foremost, open vents allow moisture to enter your crawl space. This creates the perfect environment for mold growth and mildew.
What is a foundation vent cover?
Foundation vent covers can be helpful in extreme cold situations, where a home’s underside plumbing is at risk, in these situations, foundation vent plugs can keep fast moving cold air out.
What is proper crawl space ventilation?
According to the IRC, a crawl space should have one square foot of screened vent for every 150 square feet of space. To further reduce moisture, homeowners can cover bare ground with an approved vapor-barrier material. The IRC also requires each corner of the building to have one ventilated opening to allow the cross-flow of air.
What is an exterior air vent?
An exterior vent such as a Gable or Soffit vent permit the proper air flow to cool, disperse moisture, release built up heat or just to add beauty to your home or commercial property. We have made them to cover or create air flow for ambient or forced air such as in attic fans.
What is magnetic vent cover?
You may have heard of magnetic vent covers as well. These are used to cut off or limit airflow to certain spaces, and they are inexpensive and simple to use. They are made out of thin but sturdy magnetic sheeting, which can be cut down to fit any size vent.