What are HVAC grilles, and how are they different from registers? Which is a better option for your home? Read on to learn how to distinguish between the two.
Did you know that the Romans used the first heating system around 300 B.C., and it was called “hypocaust,” which heated the Roman homes by sending it through the walls and floors? HVAC systems have been a necessity for a long time and still are today with the harsh winters, hot summers, and temperature changes.
With that said, there are many parts to your heater and the decisions you have to make when you pick out your HVAC system. Keep reading, and we will walk you through HVAC grilles and the differences between the register and grille.
Why Do We Need Ventilation?
Ventilation is critical because we want any pollutants or debris that have gotten in the inside air through the humidity to filter out. The air inside your home isn’t always clean, and you want to make sure that you have a good ventilation system to get the bad air out.
Dust, lead, mold, and pet dander are a few examples of contaminating particles that can form in the air inside your home. What adds to this is if there’s no air circulation or ventilation, the humidity in your home will continue to build.
Less circulation leads to stuffy, mixed cold/warm air that has contaminating particles that can damage you and your body when you breathe.
The solution to this is a ventilation system that works well and gets rid of the contaminated air. You can promote clean air and improve air quality in your home, and it all starts with your vents.
We must get to know our vents and HVAC system in case something goes wrong, especially during the summer or winter months, so you can let your technician know what’s going on if you run into issues.
Air Registers
Air registers are a type of vent that you will see high on your wall or ceiling or the floor next to the wall. You can also get one that is upright and coming off of your wall, called a baseboard register.
Air registers are where the duct enters the room. There is usually a lever that allows you to open and close the vents. The lever allows you to control airflow and change the flow in individual rooms if you feel it’s too hot or cold.
HVAC Grilles
Grilles are usually high up on your wall or ceiling, and depending on your HVAC system, there might be a few large grilles or multiple smaller ones throughout your home.
HVAC grilles are for the hot or cold air blown into a room to heat it or cool it down through circulation; it brings the air back to the central heating or cooling unit. The primary function is to allow air to pass in and out through it.
It is the only option that works for both air intake and air release outlets from an inside space. There aren’t any moving or complex parts, there isn’t even a lever like on air registers, grilles allow this airflow on their own, and they’re also effortless to maintain.
Register vs. Grille
Both air registers and HVAC grilles are vent covers that cover the wall, ceiling, or floor where a duct enters a room in your home. They have a rectangular shape, but if you ever need to replace one, make sure to take its measurements because they do vary in shape and size sometimes.
HVAC grilles have slits that allow air to flow through the cover, and the airflow is for ventilation to exchange the air inside your home with cleaner air from outside your house.
Air registers are similar because they have slits, but they also have a lever that allows you to open and close it to control how much air comes through your vent. If your room upstairs feels too warm because heat rises, you can narrow your vents to prevent more heat from coming into your room.
You can find both grilles and registers in different materials and colors to fit the style fo your home. If you want it to blend into your wall or fit with the decoration of your room, you can find the right one.
If you are trying to choose between the two, there are a few things to consider. If you’re looking for simplicity and not much maintenance, a grille would be best because it does everything for you.
If you want to be in control of the airflow in your house, registers are the better choice because you can choose to open or close them, and it’s something you can decide by each room.
Vent Issues
Vents aren’t usually the root cause of any issues with your HVAC system, but they can make specific issues worse.
You just need to have an understanding of common issues that can happen with your vents, and then you will be able to prevent worse problems from occurring.
Make sure to keep an eye on your vents for the following problems:
- If dirt or dust is backing up your vent, especially if it’s a dark color or smells strong, there is a problem.
- Debris stuck in the vents that are causing airflow to stop or lessen.
- Ongoing rattling or clicking noises
- Loose, cracked, or broken air registers or HVAC grilles – any cover that’s over your vent.
You should routinely check your vents to make sure everything is working correctly, and if you look out for the issues, you may prevent a more significant problem from happening if you upkeep your vents.
Choose the Right Vent Cover Now
Now that you know the differences between HVAC grilles and air registers, you can decide what you need, and best fits for your heating and cooling needs in your home.
No matter what type of HVAC system you have, make sure you have good ventilation and keep the air in your home clean. Grilles and registers will help with air circulation, which is very important for promoting clean air.
Pick out your HVAC grille or air register today or keep reading about decorating your home here! Thanks to TruAire for contributing!
