There are times when you feel that each room in your home has a different temperature. Some places or corners in your home will be way cooler or warmer than others. These are the hot and cold spots we are talking about. Ideally, your entire home should have the same temperature, but that isn’t the case with yours. It is all about air balancing. Through this post, we shall tell you more about air balancing and 5 ways to avoid hot and cold spots.
Air Balancing
Air balancing is all about proper air circulation. It is the process through which the air coming from the air conditioner is tested and adjusted to distribute the right amount of air in each and every room of your home. Usually, this is a task performed by the AC technician. They have special skills and the necessary tools to measure the air intake and output of your AC and adjust it as per the requirement.
Why Is Air Balancing Necessary
Air balancing is necessary to maintain the same temperature throughout your home. It ensures the comfort of the residents and also guarantees operational efficiency.
What Causes Hot And Cold Spots
Primarily there are two causes of hot and cold spots. These are –
1. The Manner In Which The House Is Built – This refers to the actual physical structure of the home. It includes –
The number and placement of doors and windows.
Quantity and quality of the insulation used in the house.
How much of the sun hits your home directly.
The floor plan
2. The Manner In Which The Ductwork Is Installed – If your ductwork is installed properly, it will ensure equal circulation of air everywhere inside your home. Any faults in the ductwork and you will experience hot and cold spots.
5 Ways To Avoid Hot And Cold Spots
Here are 5 cool ways in which you can easily get rid of hot and cold spots in your home. These hacks do not require any special skills and hence, can be done even by the homeowners without taking outside help.
1. Install Window Coverings Or Drapes – Around 75% of the sunlight that falls on the windows transforms into heat. If the windows are left uncovered, your home warms up much faster. In summers, it is best to cover the windows with blinds, shades, or heavy drapes. In winter, when you want a warm and cozy home, you can leave them open in the mornings and close them as the evening descends. Window coverings increase the energy efficiency of your air conditioner and cool the house a lot quicker.
2. Adjust The Speed Of The Ceiling Fan – In summers, switch on the ceiling fan at maximum speed. This will disperse all the warm air that rises to the top and allow cool air to take its place. The overall temperature inside will become cool and comfortable relatively faster. On the other hand, in winters, if needed, switch on the ceiling fan on the lowest speed setting. This will allow even distribution of warm air throughout the room.
3. Open Or Close Registers As Required – The registers usually have a damper blade that can be moved as per convenience. Any movement in the damper blade will impact the flow of air along with the direction of flow. An important thing to remember is that never close the vents completely at any time as it can as it could result in problems with your HVAC system. The best practice is to completely open the registers on the upper floor of your home and partially close the ones on the ground floor, during summers. In winters, just reverse the process for maximum comfort.
4. Set Temperature At 2 Degree Offset – Most homes have a ground floor and the first floor. The first floor receives direct sunlight on the roof and is relatively warmer than the ground floor. Therefore, in summers set the temperature for the upper floor at 2 degrees cooler than the ground floor. In winters, set the temperature of the ground floor at 2 degrees warmer than the upper floor. This will ensure even cooling and heating of both the floor so that you don’t feel any difference in temperature.
5. Check For Drafts – If your home is centrally heated and cooled, it is necessary to ensure that no outside air can enter inside. It means that your home needs to be sealed properly. Ideally, the points of the draft would be the doors and windows. So you need to check these minutely for any gaps or cracks through which outside air is entering your home. Once you find them, you can either seal them yourself or get professional help to do so.
Bonus Tips To Get Rid Of Hot And Cold Spots
1. Change the thermostat fan setting from “Auto” to “On”.
2. Move all furniture, plants, and appliances that may be blocking the vents and registers.
3. Change the air filters regularly for unrestricted flow of air.
When To Call For Professional Help
Once you have exhausted your repertoire of DIY checks and yet the hot and cold spots remain constant, you have to call the experts. The problem could range from faulty ductwork to improper insulation. Sometimes it may be that the blower fan speed has to be adjusted or simply that your AC is not sized correctly. However, these are issues that you cannot judge on your own. Only an expert has the knowledge and skill to tackle them and provide the appropriate solutions.
In The End
If you have a sound HVAC system and have taken due care in its installation, your home should maintain the same temperature in every room and corner. If you still face any problems, you can try the air balancing tips mentioned above. They will go a long way in reducing the discomfort you might experience due to the hot and cold spots inside the home. When nothing works, call the experts at Aztil AC to take care of things and make your life easy.
