Your HVAC system should ensure airflow throughout your home and eliminate hot and cold spots and uneven temperatures. A clogged air filter is one of the leading causes of weak airflow, so be sure to change it regularly or risk experiencing this problem.
Don’t let your HVAC system get out of whack with uneven air distribution—remember to change your air filter regularly to keep the airflow strong, and check out this website to learn more about maintaining a balanced system!
1. Change your air filter
Air filter replacement should be integral to keeping your system in good working condition. Dirty air filters restrict airflow, forcing the system to work harder and may lead to premature wear and tear of equipment.
Clogged filters can lead to inconsistency in-home temperatures from room to room, so regular air filter changes are essential. They could also save you money on energy costs by keeping these clogs free!
To change your air filter, begin by turning off your HVAC unit. Next, open one of the vents and remove your old filter while taking a careful approach when unplugging it to avoid making a mess. When replacing it with your new one, be sure to install it facing in the correct direction indicated by its airflow arrows.
2. Clean your ductwork
Your home’s ductwork system serves as the lungs of its living spaces, helping circulate air throughout. However, dust, pet hair, dander or other particles accumulate within these ducts and irritate your home environment. Your system could spread them around.
Professional duct cleaning can eliminate potential allergens and significantly enhance your family’s health. With specially-made tools, a professional can access even the hard-to-reach spots of your duct system to provide a thorough cleaning service.
Besides improving airflow, cleaning your ducts can significantly reduce structural and airborne noise. Insulating the interior of ductwork with sound-absorbing materials like fiberglass can significantly decrease loud vents.
3. Install new ductwork
Many homeowners find that certain rooms need more airflow due to undersized or leaky ductwork.
Leakage causes cool or hot air to escape through leaky duct joints, decreasing the amount of conditioned air that reaches each room. Mastic tape and tin screws can help seal leaky joints to resolve this problem.
Instead of making the HVAC system work harder to distribute air conditioning to every room in your house, focus on closing only those ducts that run through cooler lower regions. This will ensure maximum airflow reaches the upper floors and save energy costs.
4. Adjust your thermostat
Air circulation through your vents is critical for maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures and air quality, can make your system work harder than necessary and increase energy costs – leading to discomfort and potentially increasing costs. When airflow is blocked from passing through freely, your system has to work harder than necessary and raises your costs exponentially.
If your airflow is reduced, try clearing away anything blocking its path or using a deflector to direct air toward the center of the room. A smart thermostat also offers easy control of heating and cooling from one central location.
Programmable thermostats can also help save you money by naturally adjusting the temperature in your home to reduce energy waste. Another effective way to increase airflow and decrease wasted energy costs is having your ductwork professionally inspected and balanced.
This involves adjusting dampers on each supply run from your basement or attic and can eliminate hot and cold spots in your home.
5. Install a whole-home fan
Installing a whole-house fan is an effective way to increase airflow and help HVAC systems work more efficiently, as well as musty air that often results from insufficient ventilation.
A fan pulls air from open windows and doors and pushes hot air that has risen into the attic through attic vents, thus reducing overall home temperatures. It can be used either alone or alongside an air conditioner.
Ensure to adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions for sizing and installing intake vents. For gas-powered equipment like water heaters and furnaces, a lack of vents may cause back drafts that let carbon monoxide into your house. Appropriate-sized intake vents ensure optimal performance of the fan system.
