Ways to Enhance Airflow and Increase Home Comfort

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Keeping ideal temps at home is a big priority for most people. This can mean more than just finding the perfect temperature on the thermostat—proper airflow is just as essential to ensure your home feels just right. If you’re facing frequent hot and cold spots or your HVAC system seems like it is working harder than normal, optimizing airflow could be the solution you’re hoping to find. Find out how proper airflow can enhance the comfort of your home, some common reasons airflow may become weaker and practical tips to restore it.

Five Things That Can Hinder Airflow

In terms of your HVAC, airflow refers to the flow of air within your home. When the HVAC system begins to run, air is pulled in through the return vents and ductwork. It passes through the system’s air filter, which removes dust and other debris before the air is heated up or cooled down by the corresponding system. The now-purified and heated/cooled air then gradually makes its way back through your home via the supply vents and registers. Balanced airflow is when this loop works the same way across all rooms.

But before you take steps for optimizing home airflow, it’s helpful to learn about the usual problems that can hinder it. Here are many of the most common reasons that might be impacting your home’s comfort, energy use and air quality:

1. An Old Air Filter

A dirty filter makes it more difficult for your HVAC system to distribute air through, forcing it to work harder than necessary.

2. Holes in Your Ductwork

Cracks or loose bolts in your ductwork allow air to seep out before it makes it to its intended destination, resulting in uneven temperatures and wasted energy.

3. Covered Vents and Registers

Furniture, curtains and rugs will get in the way of return and supply vents, reducing the amount of air that can pass through the system.

4. Poorly Designed Ductwork

Undersized ducts, lack of insulation and poor vent placement is also known to limit airflow.

5. Poor System Maintenance

A lack of routine maintenance can cause dust and debris to collect in your HVAC system and ductwork, which hinders the flow of air over time.

The Importance of Adequate Airflow

Here’s why adequate airflow is a crucial part of efficient performance:

Better air quality: Good airflow prevents stagnation, reducing the concentration of airborne pollutants for a healthier living environment.

Energy efficiency: When the air circulates well, your HVAC system won’t have to work as much, which helps with lowering your energy bills while increasing the system’s life span.

Temperatures stay in balance: And of course, adequate airflow helps ensure the same temperature from one room to the next. This helps prevent hot and cold spots that tend to make some rooms uncomfortable.

Tips to Boost Airflow

Now that you know why adequate airflow is so important and the concerns that can hinder it, let’s look at some simple tips to enhance home airflow:

    • Change the HVAC air filter: Make a habit of inspecting your air filter around once a month. A good rule of thumb is to replace it every three months or in line with the manufacturer’s guidelines to keep the air moving freely through your system.

    • Keep interior doors ajar: Leaving open interior doors allows air to move freely between rooms, important for maintaining a consistent temperature for the entire home.

    • Make the most of ceiling and floor fans: Ceiling fans help circulate air which also makes the temperature feel more pleasant, particularly in the summer. Set your fans to spin counterclockwise, which moves cool air down. And for winter, flip them to clockwise and run them on low to push warm air up near the ceiling back down toward the floor.

    • Check that vents and registers are clear: It never hurts to regularly verify that vents and registers are unobstructed by furniture or other objects. All return vents and at least 80% of supply vents should be kept open to maintain proper airflow. Also, dust the grilles as needed to clear away dust and debris that can limit circulation.

    • Seal duct leaks: Inspect any exposed ductwork for clear damage allowing air to escape. For a more comprehensive inspection, think about hiring a professional to examine your air ducts.

    • Think about installing a zoning system: Home zoning gives you the ability to independently control the temperature in different rooms, an easy solution to poorly distributed heating and cooling.

    • Arrange preventive HVAC maintenance: Professional maintenance keeps your HVAC system functioning properly. A technician will clean components, identify any problems and perform needed repairs to protect proper airflow.

Count on Geisel Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, Inc. to Enhance Home Comfort

Improving your home’s airflow can greatly affect your comfort level and energy bills. The Expert technicians at Geisel Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing, Inc. provide fast, long-lasting solutions to all your comfort needs. If you’re not completely happy with our work, our famous 100% satisfaction guarantee will make things right. We’re proud to offer comfort to every home we service! If you’re ready to improve airflow, please contact us for more help.