One aspect of making your property comfortable is good air quality and the correct air temperature. HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems come in different shapes and sizes depending on the property they’re being used within. They use a complex ventilation system to ensure that the correct amount of outside air is pumped inside of your home and that it’s at the right temperature.
However, sometimes the balance of temperature and air quality between rooms can become uneven, and when it does, you need to work out a way of resolving this. One such method is air balancing, which the team here at Accurate Mechanical Services have plenty of knowledge about as it’s part of the commercial ventilation and air conditioning services we provide.
What is Air Balancing?
Simply put, air balancing is the process of modifying and repairing an HVAC system so that it evenly distributes air across a property. HVAC units are great for managing your property’s temperature and air quality when working correctly. However, as with all machines, sometimes things can go wrong, and HVAC air balancing is the most critical step you can take to ensure maximum operation efficiency.
Air balancing improves the airflow within your property, involving various steps depending on the type of property you own and the issues causing your lower air quality. Once completed, every room will be at its optimum temperature, meaning that you will also have improved energy efficiency. There will be fewer occasions where you need to boost the heating or air conditioning of your property, possibly saving you money.
Air Balancing Tips
You can do several things to improve the air balancing of your HVAC system before you contact a professional to help. Take a look at some of the examples below and see whether they solve your air quality issues.
Open and Close Your Vents
If you find that different floors of your property have different temperatures, this step could work for you. During warm weather, open the vents on upper floors and partially close them on lower floors. Do the opposite during cold weather, and you will ensure that your property maintains a steady temperature all year round. This will restrict the airflow to your room but ensure that it’s not closed entirely; otherwise, you could cause further issues to your HVAC system.
Check the Cleanliness of the Filters
This is a must-do step for anyone that owns an HVAC system for several different reasons:
- Increased air quality – when the filters are blocked, your HVAC equipment won’t be able to maintain a high level of air quality, creating stale air and varied temperatures.
- Extended lifespan – the most common reason for HVAC systems breaking down is dirty filters, as they have to work harder, which causes them to overheat.
- Reduced energy costs – overworking your commercial ventilation system causes it to work harder, causing more expensive issues and increasing your energy bills.
Keep Surrounding Areas Clear
A simple way to improve the air balancing of your property is to reduce the amount of furniture and electrical items around your HVAC systems. Electronic equipment creates heat, which could affect the thermostat when they’re placed nearby. This causes the air temperature to lower, making your room colder than it needs to be.
Large pieces of furniture reduce airflow quality around the property, causing irregular temperatures and air quality. However, this can be easily fixed by ensuring that you leave at least 18 inches or 45cm of space around your HVAC systems.
Experts’ Techniques for Air Balancing
If the suggested DIY fixes haven’t resolved your air balancing issues, you should ask a professional to assess your HVAC system and complete more specific checks, examples of which are below.
- Check and adjust fan speed – professional HVAC technicians can disconnect your system from the power and identify the correct wires to change the active speed wire.
- Check and fix ductwork – inadequate ductwork causes uneven air distribution, but a professional could fix any loose duct joints, assess the airflow quality through the ducts and more.
If you’re having any other issues ask a qualified HVAC supplier to look at your system, as incorrectly repairing any airflow issues could cause further damage and possibly be a risk to your health and safety.
HVAC Services Near You
If you have an HVAC system and want to have it serviced and the air balancing checked, contact the team here at Accurate Mechanical Services. We are a team of approved, insured HVAC engineers who hold accreditations from BESA, SafeContractor and many more, and we’d be happy to help with your air ventilation issues.