8 Tips to Balance Your HVAC System Unit
Air balance refers to the consistency of your home’s temperature in different rooms. When the air in your home is properly balanced, the entire house should heat up and cool down at the same time. This means your HVAC system requires less time to operate.
Signs that your home may have an air balancing problem include poor air conditioning performance, fluctuating temperatures throughout the home, and stagnant air. Additionally, hot and cold spots in your home may mean your home needs an air balancing service. If you notice any of these signs in your home, it may be time to have your air balance checked by an experienced professional.
Poor air balance can make your home uncomfortable, even when your air conditioner is operating at maximum capacity. Sometimes repairs are even necessary to optimize air balance. You can always count on Wisler Plumbing & Air to repair your air conditioner in Virginia if your air conditioner is malfunctioning or breaks down.
If air balancing is a new concept to you, read on to learn some tips and tricks for balancing your HVAC system.
Replace Your Air Filters
If you have a problem with your HVAC system, the first step is to check your filters. These filters clean all the air that flows through your system. Unfortunately, because these filters clean the air, they become clogged with dust and dirt over time.
A clogged filter increases the resistance of your system, making it more difficult for your system to maintain consistent airflow. Increased resistance can also prevent the air in your HVAC system from flowing as much, causing air balancing issues. So if you notice that your air conditioner’s performance is decreasing, replacing your filters is a good place to start.
Check Your Seals
Your HVAC system creates air pressure in your home. By controlling airflow throughout your home, the system can ensure that the temperature in your home remains stable. If you successfully balance your HVAC system, the temperature should remain consistent regardless of the rooms in use.
However, the seals around your home’s windows and doors must be fully secured to maintain this pressure. Any air leak will cause your system to work harder and prevent you from achieving optimal balance. These seals are usually made of rubber or caulk, both of which can crack and wear out when exposed to water and sunlight for long periods of time.
The seals in your home also provide an important defense mechanism against particles and microorganisms in the air. The pressure in your home also acts as a barrier to the outside air, keeping bacteria and other pollutants out where they belong. With health and infections on everyone’s lips these days, ensuring good air balance in your home can provide peace of mind.
Your Insulation Matters
Although the job of your HVAC system is to bring your home to the desired temperature, insulation plays a critical role in maintaining that temperature. Insulation is a specially designed material that acts as a barrier against outside temperatures. Because of its buffering effect, insulation keeps the air in your home at a controlled temperature within your walls rather than flowing back outside.
Insulation is made from materials that are built into the walls and attic of your home. Sometimes regular upgrades or replacement are required. However, a well-insulated home can result in you running your HVAC system significantly less than before, significantly reducing your energy consumption.
Effective insulation can save you money on your energy bills, but that’s not all. By putting less strain on your home’s heating and cooling systems, you also reduce wear and tear on these devices. As a result, effective insulation can reduce maintenance costs and increase efficiency, allowing homeowners to increase their savings.
Consider Upgrades that Improves Balance
Homeowners and renters can solve some air balancing problems with an air balancing service or minor adjustments. However, these problems can sometimes be a sign of improper technology or installation.
For example, atmospheric pressure is a crucial part of air balance. Ducts or vents that are too small or don’t open fully can affect your system’s performance.
Another point to consider is the size and performance of your device. If your home’s HVAC system is not powerful enough to effectively maintain the temperature in your home, the options on this list may not solve the problem. Check your device reviews to make sure this situation doesn’t apply to you.
Upgrading your system can save you money over time. Although larger HVAC units are more expensive, they are significantly cheaper to operate than a unit that struggles to maintain room temperature. You may also benefit from enlarged air ducts as the reduced air pressure helps your system achieve optimal efficiency.
An HVAC contractor is required for an upgrade project when major renovations are required. Wisler Plumbing & Air is a great option if you live in Roanoke or Salem, Virginia. Our team is always motivated to help our customers. So you can rely on us to give you transparent answers to your questions about air regulation.
Offset Thermostats
We understand that there isn’t always room in the budget to pay for HVAC services when you need them right away. Although a qualified professional should perform proper air balancing, you can use temporary solutions to resolve the problem in the meantime.
Adjusting the thermostat can help homeowners notice temperature fluctuations in different rooms of their property. This strategy involves figuring out which rooms in your home typically stay warmest or coldest. After checking these parts, you can adjust each thermostat to compensate for them.
Typically an offset of 2 degrees is enough, but you may need to experiment to find the ideal settings for your home. Also keep in mind that this strategy requires multiple thermostats. This solution therefore does not apply to those who only have one thermostat in their home.
Adjust Registers
Each of your vents usually contains a damper that allows you to adjust the airflow. While far from a perfect solution, adjusting these dampers is an effective way to make minor adjustments to the balance of your HVAC system. They can also help you avoid costly repairs.
This strategy requires time investment as you need to monitor how the temperature of each room responds to changes. However, a general rule of thumb is to open the flaps on the upper floors when the outside temperature is warm and to open the flaps at the bottom when the outside temperature is cold.
If you notice that some rooms seem to cool down faster than others, you can slightly close the damper in one room to improve balance. You can also close the flaps in rooms you use less frequently, allowing your system to focus more on high-traffic areas. However, we never recommend closing a vent completely as this could destabilize system pressure.
Use Alternatives
The weather outside can be so intense that an HVAC system is required. However, in milder weather, alternative options are usually sufficient. For example, if the weather is hot but tolerable, try other cooling options such as ceiling fans or box or individual room air conditioners.
Ceiling fans can provide effective cooling, especially in small rooms. If you don’t have ceiling fans at home, portable or oscillating fans can be a good alternative. However, installing ceiling fans can often be more cost-effective than purchasing a new air conditioner. So consider these fans if you think your air conditioner is not powerful enough for your home.
These options can save you money because you can cool the parts of your home you are currently using, rather than the entire house. You can also use these options with your air conditioner to improve air circulation in your home.
Have Your System Cleaned
Changing the filters in your system is relatively easy and can be done yourself. However, other parts of your HVAC system collect dust over time and require professional cleaning. An experienced HVAC contractor can clean every vent and supply duct to rid the system of dust and other debris.
A dusting service is especially important if you have allergies or respiratory problems in your home. When allergens are trapped in your air conditioning ducts, eliminating them can seem impossible. If you are having difficulty breathing in your home, we encourage you to seek indoor air quality services from Wisler Plumbing & Air.
Take Action Today With Wisler Plumbing & Air
If you’re having air balancing issues in your home, it’s time to take action. By reading this article, you have learned some ways to balance your HVAC system yourself. Try these strategies, but remember that only a professional can provide a complete air balancing service.
If you’re ready to take control of air balancing in your Virginia home, choose Wisler Plumbing & Air. With our years of experience installing and optimizing heating and cooling systems, the team at Wisler Plumbing & Air ensures your HVAC -System running at maximum speed. Call us today at 540-483-9382 to speak with a helpful representative and schedule your HVAC service.
