HVAC professionals and homeowners alike recognize how essential air balancing is to heating and cooling systems. Instead of struggling with an uncomfortable property that always has skewed temperatures, you can get air balancing to save money on your energy bills. However, many property owners are unsure of where to start or what steps to take.
At Casper Friendly Services, we’re here to provide a complete and detailed guide on how to balance an HVAC system. We’ll address what air balancing is, why it’s so essential, and the best tips for a balanced heating and cooling system. We also share when it’s time to call an expert.
Our business provides top-rated HVAC services in Jackson, NJ, and the surrounding areas. After learning about air balancing for your property’s HVAC system, reach out to our team to schedule a service appointment.
What Is Air Balancing?
Air balancing means modifying and adjusting an HVAC system to ensure every room on your property receives the appropriate amount of hot or cool air. When an HVAC system is balanced, you’ll have optimal indoor air quality, comfort, and temperatures.
Some property owners notice that they have random cold or hot spots or rooms that never seem to achieve their desired temperatures. They may wonder why their home is uncomfortable, and the answer is having an unbalanced HVAC system. Fortunately, you can resolve this issue with some simple adjustments to various areas of your heating and cooling appliances or by contacting a trusted professional in your area.
Why Do HVAC Systems Become Unbalanced?
Heating and cooling systems can lose balance for the following reasons:
- You might not have enough insulation or have damaged insulation.
- Someone adjusted your vents, dampers, or HVAC settings.
- A property addition or remodel changed consistent airflow.
- Adding or getting rid of furniture could affect a room’s temperature.
- You could have an aging or broken heating or cooling appliance.
Whatever the case, you’ll need some air balancing to restore the property to its most comfortable state. Whether you decide to take some action yourself or call a professional, you’re better off making some changes and seeing how it affects your home than doing nothing at all.
Signs You Need to Balance Your HVAC System
Fortunately, it’s easy to figure out whether or not you should balance your HVAC system. You’ll notice multiple hot and cold spots in your home or inconsistent temperatures from room to room. Some other common indicators include the following:
- Higher than normal energy bills with an inefficient system
- Open vents with poor airflow
- Vents that make strange noises
- Temperature variations of three degrees in either direction
You can always schedule an HVAC system inspection or maintenance appointment if you’re unsure. A technician will tell you if it’s balanced or not and offer their recommendations for maintaining your air conditioner or heating system. You might find that it’s time to replace your AC or heater.
Helpful Tips for Balancing Your HVAC System
Homeowners can make some small and simple adjustments to their heating and air conditioning systems and notice a big difference. While the best results occur when you have a service technician provide air balancing, you can still achieve good results on your own. Consider these tips.
1. Adjusting Dampers
Dampers help with the opening and closing of your ductwork, and homeowners often make adjustments to them in the summer and winter. If you’re curious about how to balance an HVAC system, consider adjusting your dampers to ensure no vents are shut and to achieve optimal airflow.
You can partially close and open vents on higher and lower floors to reach your desired temperatures. Making small adjustments as necessary will help you get closer to having a comfortable temperature.
2. Addressing Blocked Airflow
You can go around your home and check everywhere you have a vent or register. Remove any furniture or belongings in the way that could contribute to uneven temperatures. You could also purchase a deflector to help move air around the room and away from your furniture.
3. Changing Thermostat Fan Settings
Many property owners leave their thermostat fans on the “Auto” setting. However, switching it to “On” helps filter and move your indoor air, creating cleaner and more comfortable conditions. While constantly running this fan can hike up your energy bills, you might find it worth it.
4. Managing Ductwork Problems
Having leaking or dirty ductwork can contribute to unbalanced HVAC systems. This will show up as uneven temperatures throughout your property, with some rooms too hot and others too cold. Portions of your ductwork may have come loose and need someone to reattach them.
You might have ductwork that needs replacing or repairs, but calling a professional is the best way to go. They can inspect your ductwork and offer recommendations for the next steps to take. They also might offer ductwork repair or replacement services to immediately resolve the issue.
5. Inspecting Your Insulation
Can you remember when you had professional insulation installation or inspection services? You might need to make some changes to your property’s insulation to have a more balanced home. Once you fix any insulation problems, you could notice a large indoor air improvement.
6. Changing the Spin of Your Ceiling Fans
If you have ceiling fans in your property, adjusting the direction they can turn depending on the season can help. The general rule is as follows:
- Run your fan clockwise during cooler temperatures to evenly spread warm air.
- Run your fan counterclockwise in warmer seasons to send cool air downward.
7. Adding a Second Air Handler
Getting another air handler for your home can help promote even airflow. Some property owners have one air handler on their first floor or basement and keep their second one in their attic or on the top floor. An HVAC service technician can help you find the perfect fit for your home’s needs.
8. Learning Which HVAC Size You Need
Did you have a trained and licensed professional install your HVAC system? A good installer will determine the right size system for your heating and cooling needs, budget, and property size, but many homeowners use an improperly sized HVAC system without knowing it.
Having a system that’s too big or too small will lead to expensive energy bills, constant discomfort inside your property, and inefficient, energy-wasting cooling and heating appliances. Your local HVAC professional can tell you if you have the right size or if you need a replacement.
9. Keeping Electronics Away From Thermostats
You could get inaccurate readings from your thermostat if multiple electronics are throwing it out of whack. The heat from computers, televisions, and other popular gadgets can make some areas of your home appear warmer than they really are. Moving them away is a small yet powerful tip.
10. Resolving Drafts
Take a careful walk throughout your property and examine various doors and windows. If you have any gaps between windows and doors, this could lead to significant air loss and temperature problems. They might have hit the end of their lifespan and are decreasing the energy efficiency of your home, so consider contacting a professional if you believe it’s time for a replacement or have drafts.
Benefits of Air Balancing for Your Property
Air balancing your HVAC system awards property owners numerous benefits, such as:
- A longer-lasting HVAC system
- Improved indoor air quality
- Less expensive energy bills
- Increased indoor comfort
- A healthier property
You’ll experience even better results when you have a five-star HVAC service technician assist you. They have extensive knowledge regarding HVAC systems and can make specific recommendations based on your type of heating and cooling systems.
Author Bio:
Matt Casper
The Business Owner of Casper friendly services features a team of trusted HVAC contractors in Neptune, NJ. Local trustworthy business owner with 9 years experience! Honest, professional, and most of all affordable. Call Casper today to discuss your HVAC needs!