Improving Home Comfort: Tips to Improve Airflow

Maintaining pleasant temperatures at home is a big priority for homeowners. This can involve more than just finding the right temperature on your thermostat—adequate airflow is just as essential to make sure your home feels just right. If you’re experiencing persistent hot and cold spots or your HVAC system seems like it is struggling, working on resolving problems with airflow could be the solution you’re hoping to find. Find out how adequate airflow can help your home, some common reasons airflow may become weaker and practical tips to correct it.

The Importance of Good Airflow

In terms of your HVAC, airflow describes the circulation of air within the air ducts. When the HVAC system starts up, air is pulled in through the air returns and ductwork. It travels through the filter, which collects dust and other pollutants before the air is heated or air-conditioned by the corresponding system. The now-treated and heated/cooled air then gradually makes its way back through your home via the supply vents and grilles. Adequate airflow is when this process flows the same way across all rooms.

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

• Temperatures stay in balance: Adequate airflow helps promote an even temperature from one room to the next. This minimizes hot and cold spots that can make some rooms uncomfortable.
• Higher energy savings: As long as the air isn’t restricted, the HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard, which helps with cutting your energy bills yet lengthening the system’s life span.
• Cleaner indoor air: Good airflow prevents stagnation, reducing the concentration of airborne contaminants for a cleaner living environment.

Issues that Limit Airflow

Before you take steps for optimizing home airflow, it’s helpful to recognize the usual factors that can limit it. Here are several culprits that might be compromising your home’s comfort, efficiency and air quality:

• Obstructed vents and registers: Furniture, curtains and rugs can cover return and supply vents, hindering the amount of air that passes through the system.
• Clogged air filter: A clogged filter makes it more difficult for the HVAC system to distribute air through, causing it to work more than it should.
• Leaking ductwork: Leaks or loose bolts in your ductwork allow air to escape before it reaches its intended destination, resulting in uneven temperatures and wasted energy.
• Poor system maintenance: A lack of scheduled maintenance can cause dust and debris to build up in your HVAC system and ductwork, which hinders circulation over time.
• Poorly designed ductwork: Undersized ducts, lack of insulation and improper vent placement is also known to restrict airflow.

Ways to Optimize Airflow

Now that you are more aware of why adequate airflow is so important and the factors that can hinder it, let’s look at some effective tips to boost home airflow:

• Keep vents and registers are free: Regularly check that vents and registers are unblocked by furniture and other large objects. All return vents and at least 80% of supply vents should remain open to support steady airflow. Also, clean the grilles as needed to remove dust and debris that can limit circulation.
• Swap out the HVAC air filter: Make a habit of inspecting your air filter around once a month. A general rule of thumb is to replace it every 90 days or according to the manufacturer’s instructions to keep the air flowing freely through your system.
• Seal up any ductwork leaks: Look over any accessible ductwork for noticeable damage allowing air to seep out. For a more detailed inspection, consider hiring a professional to examine your air ducts.
• Make the most of ceiling and floor fans: Ceiling fans help push air which also makes the temperature seem more pleasant, especially in the summer. Set your fans to rotate counterclockwise, which forces cool air toward the floor. And for winter, switch them to clockwise and keep them on low to redistribute warm air stuck near the ceiling back down toward the floor.
• Keep interior doors unblocked: Opening interior doors allows air to flow freely between rooms, important for maintaining a steady temperature for the entire home.
• Look into a zoning system: Home zoning lets you independently adjust the temperature in individual rooms, an easy solution to inconsistent heating and cooling.
• Arrange preventive HVAC maintenance: Professional maintenance keeps your HVAC system running properly. A technician will clean components, look for potential problems and complete the necessary repairs to maintain airflow.

Choose Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to Enhance Home Comfort

Optimizing your home’s airflow can positively influence your comfort level and energy bills. The seasoned technicians at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing provide quick, reliable solutions to all your comfort needs. If you’re not totally happy with our work, our famous 100% satisfaction guarantee will make things right. We’re proud to provide comfort to every home we service! If you’re ready to optimize airflow, please contact us for more information.