Cold winter temperatures have families in Flowery Branch, GA spending a lot more time indoors with the heater on. But some folks are experiencing cold spots throughout the house, and some rooms seem to get little or no airflow. So here are some reasons why it’s important to improve airflow in your home this winter, along with a few tips on how to do it.
Why Airflow Matters
Proper airflow is key to maintaining comfortable temperatures and breathing fresh air all winter long. Lack of proper airflow allows airborne allergens and contaminants to linger in the air where you and your family are more likely to inhale them. Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can cause all kinds of health problems, from breathing issues to lack of sleep.
Unbalanced airflow also creates uneven temperatures in your home and makes it difficult for heated air to reach every room in the house. Then you have to run the heater at a higher temperature to heat the colder rooms, which drives up your utility bills and shortens your heater’s lifespan.
How to Improve Airflow in Your Home This Winter
Below are some ways to improve airflow in your home to balance out the temperatures and improve IAQ. You can handle the simple tasks yourself. But we don’t recommend attempting the big jobs without professional help.
Replace Clogged Air Filters
Air filters at the return vents keep dust and airborne contaminants from getting sucked into your heating system. But air cannot easily pass through HVAC filters clogged with several months of accumulated dust, dirt, and pet dander. Therefore, the heater has to work harder to force the air through, and this can reduce airflow while placing a heavy strain on your heating system components.
Replace your air filters at least every 90 days as recommended by the manufacturer. Some filters may need more frequent replacing, especially if anyone in your home has respiratory issues or allergies.
Check Air Vents and Registers
It’s generally a good idea to leave all of your registers open all year long to maintain the proper amount of air pressure within the entire central heating system. But sometimes homeowners will close a register in an unused bedroom and then forget to open it later when using the room again. Therefore, if one room seems unusually cold this winter while the rest of the house is warm, check to see if the register is open.
Many homeowners rearrange furniture at different times of the year and inadvertently block the air vents. If you have any furniture or bookshelves blocking vents, try rearranging the furniture a little bit to allow the air to circulate around the room a little better.
Air vents can also become clogged with thick layers of dust over time. It might not seem like much, but dust and lint on your vents and registers can interfere with airflow. A quick swipe with a damp, clean dust cloth or vacuum attachment is usually all it takes to fix the problem.
Clean and Seal Air Ducts
The air ducts through which heated air travels throughout the house collect dust over years of heavy use. That can also contribute to reduced airflow. Holes and cracks also form in air ducts over time, allowing heated air to escape before it can reach the rooms furthest from the heater.
Air ducts should be professionally cleaned and sealed when needed to prevent air leaks and improve airflow and overall efficiency. But do not attempt this yourself, as air ducts are fragile and can be easily damaged.
Repair or Upgrade Your Central Heating System
If your heater just isn’t working properly, that will also cause airflow problems. But if the heater is working fine, you might still benefit from some kind of upgrade.
One of the best HVAC upgrades for balancing airflow is installing a zoning system. This type of system upgrade allows you to customize the temperature settings in different parts of your home independently.
Don’t let poor airflow in your home cause discomfort and potential health problems for your family. Contact Pruitt Heating & Air, Inc. today and sign up for our bi-annual HVAC maintenance plan. We’ll tune up your residential HVAC system twice a year, change out your filter and keep everything running smoothly.
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