HVAC Tips: How to Balance the Airflow

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If you are finding that when you turn on your air conditioner or heater that the air in your home doesn't feel even throughout every room, it might be due to the airflow itself. Here are some things you can do to better balance the airflow.

Inspect Your Dampers

The first thing you should do when attempting to get a better balance of airflow in your home is to check the dampers. The dampers are the covers on the vents where you get your cool or warm air after turning on the HVAC unit. It is important that the dampers are open, clear, and in good condition. If you are not familiar with dampers, you might be better off calling an HVAC professional to look at their condition and show you how to open and close them. Close dampers to rooms where you don't want air so the majority of the air is dispersed through the vents in other rooms. However, for proper airflow, allowing it to work in all rooms simultaneously is usually recommended.

Clean the Air Filters and Ducts

The next thing you can check on your own in regards to the airflow is the air filter. Every HVAC unit has an air filter that is responsible for gathering dirt, dust, dander, and other types of allergens. This helps to keep your air clean when turning on the air conditioner or heater. However, if the air filter is not replaced or cleaned regularly, it gets clogged, which can then have a negative effect on the airflow. If the air filter is a reusable one, you will need to remove it and clean it before putting it back. Otherwise, you might have a disposable one that is thrown away and replaced with a new one. After changing the air filter, also check the ducts to be sure they are clean.

Look for Other Problems

You should also consider some other potential problems that might be causing the lack of proper airflow. For example, the ducts might not have been laid out properly in your home. This is really only something a qualified heating and air conditioning repair specialist can help you with. Also look to see that the thermostat is in good working order and that the furnace or air conditioning unit is in good condition. If you have an older HVAC system, you might simply need a new system to be installed for better airflow.


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