Why Airflow Matters and How to Improve It

Fall is finally here, and homeowners in Ken Caryl, CO, are firing up their furnaces to keep their families comfortable as temperatures drop. But what if some rooms in your home are warm and cozy while others are cold and stale? Let’s look at why balancing the airflow in your home matters along with some ways to improve it.

Why Airflow Matters

When the airflow in your home is uneven, you end up running the heater longer than necessary during the fall and winter to make those colder rooms comfortable. But then the other rooms get too hot. This isn’t just annoying — it also drives up your heating bill.

Besides the temperature issues, poor air circulation in your home can make the air feel stuffy and damp. Just like air pollution outside your home, the reduced air quality inside it can negatively impact your health.

There are many things you can do to get more air flowing through your home. If the weather outside is comfortable, opening some windows and doors will balance temperatures out while drawing in fresh air. But when it’s too cold or too warm outside, try these other options.

Clean the Supply Vents

The vents that supply conditioned air to every room of your home might collect some dust between cleanings, so vacuum them or wipe them off with a cloth rag. Also, make sure there isn’t anything blocking the supply vents. Remove furniture or other items inhibiting proper airflow.

Adjust Supply Registers

You can reduce hot and cold spots in your home by adjusting the airflow to each room. If the wall vents and floor vents have adjustable dampers, make sure they’re wide open in rooms that need more warm air. For rooms that get too warm when you run the furnace, try adjusting the dampers to limit the amount of warm air blowing in.

Some homes have dampers installed inside the air ducts themselves. If you have these, you can open or close them to make sure heated air reaches all the rooms in your home.

Replace Your HVAC Filters

Another simple way to improve airflow is to change out your air filters. Month after month, those filters clog with dust whenever you run your central HVAC system. That dust buildup reduces airflow and puts a lot of strain on your HVAC system.

You should change your air filters at least every three months. If you run your HVAC system a lot, your filters might need replacing more frequently.

Clear Debris From the Outdoor Unit

Part of your central HVAC system sits on a concrete slab outside to pull in fresh air. But if that unit has a bunch of tall grass, tree branches or other debris around it, this can restrict airflow.

Make sure you uncover your outdoor unit, and keep the area around it free and clear. Also, gently remove any leaves and twigs that may have lodged themselves in the grille or fins of the unit as these can also reduce airflow.

Upgrade to a Zoned HVAC System

One of the best ways to balance out the airflow in your home is to install a zoned HVAC system. This will allow you to have separate thermostats for different parts of the home and push conditioned air to the rooms that need it most.

Don’t let airflow problems make your home uncomfortable this fall. Contact us at Littleton Heating & Air Conditioning today for furnace repairs and other adjustments. Let’s get that air flowing better so you and your family can enjoy the comforts of home.

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