Does your home resemble the Goldilocks’ fairy tale—one room’s too hot, one’s too cold, while another is just right? You can put that fairy tale to bed by following a few simple tips:
Check Filters for Cleanliness
Keeping your filters clean improves your home’s air quality, increases your furnace’s efficiency, and extends the life of your HVAC system. Dirty filters reduce airflow, forcing your HVAC system to work harder thus causing the system to overheat and shut off too quickly. A clean filter allows your system to run more efficient; regularly changing your filter can save you five to 15 percent on your utility bill.
Install Window Coverings to Prevent Heat Build Up
Adding blinds and shades to your rooms not only adds style but helps keep heat from building up in rooms facing east, west, and south. Just remember to close or pull them down whenever the sun is shining!
Prevent Airflow Restrictions
Many people think closing air supply vents in unused rooms saves money. Don’t fall for this old wives’ tale! Closing a vent only blocks air from getting into the room and causes damage to your HVAC and duct systems. If you have a room that needs less heating or cooling, you can partially close the register but don’t close it all the way. Also, be sure vents are not blocked by furniture, rugs, and drapes; allow at least 18” of space around each vent.
Place Thermostat Fan Setting to ON
If you have an ON fan setting on your thermostat, use it! By using this setting, the fan blows continuously thereby filtering and replacing indoor air. NOTE: This only works if you have an ECM motor. A standard motor should remain in the Auto setting.
If you find you are still having issues, you may need to evaluate a more extensive option:
Fixing Your Duct Work
Ductwork inefficiencies such as improper size or leaks can cause uneven distribution resulting in hot or cold spots in your home. A trained technician from Day & Night Mechanical Solutions can inspect your home’s ductwork and fix either or both of these problems.
Going Ductless
As the name implies, a ductless heating system does not require the use of air ducts. Inexpensive to install in almost any setting, the system uses highly efficient zonal heating by allowing independent control over each area. Perfect for homes with open floor plans—one indoor unit can heat an entire large living space—they also improve indoor air quality by constantly circulating fresh, healthy air rather than dust that has built up in the ductwork.
Using Two Air Handlers
Electric heating and cooling systems consist of two main parts—an outdoor unit and an indoor unit, or air handler. When matched with a heat pump, the air handler circulates both cool and hot air, depending on the season. Properly sized air handlers provide the right amount of clean, comfortable air year-round. The more efficient the air handler is, the less work the outdoor unit has to do to make your home comfortable. A trained Day & Night Mechanical Solutions technician can inspect your current system and see if a second air handler is right for your home.
Many of the air flow tips are easy and can be done today. Start with the easy ones. When in doubt, get a professional opinion from a trained HVAC technician at Day & Night Mechanical Solutions. Call us today at 303-936-2696 to provide comfort throughout your home.
