Watch the video on Register Size, Design, and Placement.
When watering the lawn, most green-thumb growers will carefully pick the right sprinkler attachment for any given job. Whether it's a mister, rotator, oscillating streamer or a good old fashioned soaker, having the right distribution system can mean the difference between a lush lawn or a swampy patchwork of a backyard.
The same concept holds true when installing register vents in a new home. Pick the right type and the homeowner will enjoy well-circulated, comfortable air year-round. Pick the wrong type and the HVAC system will have to work harder and longer to get the job done.
Each room of a house has a specific air flow need based on its size and use. The amount of conditioned air that needs to be circulated in the room is measured by cubic feet per minute or CFM. The CFM requirements per room are usually determined by the heating and cooling trade contractor. The contractor will pick the number and size of register vents each room needs, but before installing, the builder should understand how register vents play an important role in optimizing ventilation strategies.
Along with proper sizing, the best practice is to use register vents with adjustable blades so that the direction of air flow can be customized according to each room's specific needs and adjusted for heating and cooling.
Here are a few things to think about before picking out and installing register vents in a new home:
- Many register systems are uniformly installed by geographic region and climate.
- Colder climates, like in the Northeast, usually have floor registers vents. This approach is supposed to help the warm air to pass through the room as it rises, but won't necessarily help circulate the air properly.
- Likewise, ceiling register vents are more common in warmer climates to help cold air flow through the room.
- Wall register vents can be placed either high or low on the wall. High wall register vents won't get obstructed by furniture and can often provide a more uniform distribution of air during both heating and cooling because they force the air horizontally instead of vertically.
Though buying register vents in bulk may save the builder a few dollars in the long run, a "one size fits all" mentality isn't doing the homeowner any service. If the register vents are too large it can result in a slow "dribble" of conditioned air. This means the homeowner will have to operate the heating or cooling system longer to get comfortable, which drives up their energy bills. Traditional fixed register vents only blow the air in one direction and can allow for stagnant air or pockets of warm or cold air.
Register vents and sprinklers for the garden have the same basic job: distribute evenly, consistently, and appropriately to all needed areas. By taking the time to pick the right size and placement of the register vent, builders can help keep the homeowners comfortable, and also help to lower energy bills.
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