With outdoor temperatures steadily rising, air conditioners have become a lifesaver for many families. Besides lowering the air conditioner's temperature, many people also close the doors of unused rooms in the hope of keeping them cooler and saving electricity.
However, according to air conditioning and ventilation experts, there is no single answer to whether or not to open or close doors between rooms in every home. The key factor lies in the type of cooling equipment being used.
During the sweltering summer days, when outdoor temperatures consistently reach peak levels, the need for cooling becomes a top priority for every family (Photo: Nisko.pl).
If the house has central air conditioning, open the room doors.
In homes with central air conditioning systems, closing the doors to individual rooms can reduce cooling efficiency.
The reason is that this system is designed for continuous airflow between areas in the house. When many doors are closed, cold air is still blown into the room but has difficulty returning to the original circulation system.
This can create temperature differences between areas, and also force the air conditioner to work harder to compensate for the obstructed airflow.
Experts suggest that with central air conditioning, opening the doors of the rooms allows for more natural air circulation, maintaining a uniform temperature and improving the system's operational efficiency.
The more closed the doors are, the more effective a split air conditioner is.
A more common scenario in Vietnam is families using wall-mounted air conditioners, portable air conditioners, or split air conditioning systems for each individual room. With these devices, closing the room doors has the opposite effect.
Since air conditioners only serve a specific area, closing the doors helps keep the cool air inside the room, minimizing loss to other areas. This allows the room to reach the desired temperature faster and prevents the air conditioner from being overloaded.
This is why many families find their bedrooms or offices significantly cooler when the doors are closed while the air conditioner is on. However, experts note that this principle should not be confused with central air conditioning systems, as the operating mechanisms of the two are completely different.
The outer door should always be kept closed.
Regardless of the type of air conditioner you use, there's one rule that remains almost constant: always keep doors and windows closed while cooling.
Gaps around the door can cause continuous loss of cold air, while allowing hot air from outside to enter. This forces the air conditioner to run longer, increasing energy consumption.
If gaps are found around windows or doors, homeowners can use rubber gaskets or sealants to minimize heat loss.
The way you open or close room doors can affect the cooling efficiency of your entire house (Photo: Deepchill).
Simple tips to keep your house cooler in the summer.
Besides using air conditioning, you can apply a few simple tricks to make your home more comfortable during peak hot days:
Utilize blackout curtains: During the hottest hours of the day, close the curtains or use blinds to block UV rays and heat from direct sunlight from entering your home.
Use ceiling fans correctly: Make sure the fan rotates counter-clockwise in the summer. This mode will push cool air downwards, creating a comfortable feeling without having to lower the air conditioner temperature too much.
Don't forget maintenance: Many people try to save money by closing vents or lowering the air conditioner temperature significantly, but this is a common mistake. In reality, you just need to keep the filter clean and ensure the area around the outdoor unit is well-ventilated. For air conditioners, check and replace the filter at least once a month during peak summer months to ensure optimal air circulation.