HVAC Air Balancing—Avoiding Hot and Cold Spots in Homes 

PA has some severe weather during the winter. This passes, and Spring becomes a reality. The hot weather can start suddenly, and sometimes, even in April, temperatures can be in the 80s or even 90s. The National Weather Service (NWS) recorded one day in April of 2023 with temperatures of 90 degrees F! 

This has been logged in previous years. Air balancing is critical in the winter, of course, as no one likes cold spots in the home. However, a space heater or even extra clothing can make cold spots easier to ignore in winter. 

In warmer weather, without a proper setup of air balancing, the cold spots in a home and the warm and humid places can be very frustrating. Jiggling the thermostat to try and maintain a consistent temperature throughout a home is annoying and wastes electricity, running up unnecessary cooling costs. 

The problem of hot and cold spots is not limited to older homes but can exist in newer homes. It is a tricky problem that a professional needs to assess to eliminate. HVAC Gurus has decades of experience and is open 24/7, so there is no need to suffer from too-hot or too-cold spots in any home. 

In addition, a very common scenario is humidity buildup in a home’s certain rooms. This generally occurs on upper floors and can lead to mold and mildew problems. Drapes and even furniture can have a rather moist feel when the balance is off in a system. 

How an Expert Assists in Maintaining Stable Air Conditioning Temperatures

This is not a DIY project, as certain equipment, experience, and training are needed. It starts with an inspection to pinpoint all problems, which is crucial when an upgrade to a system or a new system has been installed. 

HVAC Gurus will perform the following when checking for the correct amount of airflow and the functioning of the ducts that allow cool or warm air to travel uniformly. 

·Do a walk-through of a home

 As simple as these sounds, drapes and furniture can effectively block air from moving through a room. Rooms, where more individuals gather, will generally reflect the body heat that individuals emit and may need to be kept more relaxed than a “back office” where only one person sits all day. 

·Check the thermostat 

Some thermostats, as they age, become inefficient. Homeowners might have one thermostat for the entire home, whereas having a separate one for each room might keep the temperature more consistent throughout the house. 

A thermostat always needs to be placed correctly. According to Inspectopedia, having a thermostat in direct sunlight will impact the temperature, as will having one in a very cool spot in a home. 

·Inspect vents and dampers 

These HVAC system components need varying degrees of adjustment to ensure the flow of air consistently throughout the entire home. Dirty vents should be cleaned, of course. The amount of dirt and grime that can accumulate can be astounding. 

Dampers restrict airflow in rooms that are consistently too cool. Adjusting a damper from open to closed or vice versa can solve a problem of chilliness or too much warmth, but they can be difficult to find as they can be hidden inside a duct or main system. 

A damper is a moveable part adjusted according to the airflow needed through a vent. These are generally inexpensive, but the adjustment must be made correctly.

Homeowners are generally aware that main unit vents need to be replaced, but they can overlook the fact that air filters also exist in vents and need to be replaced.  

·Check for air quality 

Poorly distributed air or dirty air filters and ducts can lead to poor air quality. Especially if pets are present in a home, dander does get trapped in ductwork easily. Pollen in the spring and summer are also culprits for poor air quality. 

Special equipment is used to check the air quality in every room, which is important in ensuring quality breathable air. 

Conclusion—Maintaining a Home’s Temperature Throughout  

Early Spring is a great time to have a home checked for hot and cold spots before the heat of summer hits. Since PA weather can quickly change from hot to cold and back again, a good “once over” of all elements in air flow should be done ASAP.

A quick phone call to HVAC Gurus for a free estimate will save energy by increasing efficiency and establishing a more consistent cooling method throughout a home. 

1-800-564-0103.

There is also a form on the website, and the sooner a homeowner calls, the better the chance of staying ahead of cooling inconsistencies this year!