In a previous blog we talked a little about “air balancing.” That is the process by which you find ways to ensure that your heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system keeps the air consistent throughout your home, and avoids any hot or cold spots. That is, in fact, the best way to make sure that your air conditioning system is working at maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
In that blog, we chatted about four different do-it-yourself ways in which you can diagnose and solve hot and cold spots in your home. Well, those do-it-yourself methods may only go so far. There are times when you need to call in the cavalry – the HVAC pros who can provide max service for your air conditioning system.
That said, the experts at Aztil Air Conditioning are ready to give you max service for your air conditioning with air balancing expertise when the initial remedies do not seem to do the trick. We at Aztil have decades of experience to draw from to make sure that your air conditioning system is working at maximum efficiency. In fact, as the premier max service air conditioning repair operation in the West Palm Beach region, we can solve your air balancing issue with the professional touch we bring to all of our jobs. Call us if you have questions or would like to learn more at 888-729-8452.
Now let’s talk about how the pros can help you balance the temperature of the air in your home to eliminate those pesky hot and cold spots.
Pro Tip #1 – Diving into Duct Work
An HVAC professional is the best person to take a look at any issues with regard to the ductwork in your home. Many times, hot and cold spots have to do with duct damage or defects.
In order to see if the ductwork is the reason for uneven air distribution, an HVAC professional can do the following:
- Refit or reseal any loose duct joints or junctions.
- Minimize sharp turns in ductwork, which could restrict airflow to some degree.
- Insulate the ducts to make sure that cool air is not escaping.
Pro Tip #2 – Check Fan Speed
In some circumstances, an HVAC system’s blower fan speed could be the culprit to a less-than-efficient air distribution system. Here, it is important that you get an HVAC pro to take a look. Changing the handler fan speed can be a complicated, and possibly dangerous, process if you do not know what you are doing.
The steps to checking the blower fan speed would be as follows:
- Disconnect the power,
- Find the wiring and blower motor,
- Locate the wires used for adjusting speed,
- Change the active speed wire,
- Reconnect the power and test the HVAC system.
Pro Tip #3 – Extra Return Ducts
A return duct is a vent that pulls the air and puts it back into the system to be conditioned. Most HVAC systems, in fact, have undersized return ducts, and undersized return ducts create a kind of bottleneck. The blower, and the entire system, has to work a little harder to pull air. That bottleneck might result in unnecessary hot or cold spots.
You would know if you have an undersized return duct if you can hear air moving in your return duct area. It could lead to a noisy duct, premature blowout of your blower motor, and an overall decrease in the durability of the system.
The best way to alleviate all of those problems is by installing an extra return duct. Indeed, the extra return duct will minimize any slow-moving or static air and thereby keep your system in better shape. Increased air flow means a more efficient system and more efficient use of the conditioned air.
Pro Tip #4 – Using Two, Rather than One Air Handler
As we all know, warm air rises and cold air falls. Typically, in a home you will have one unit that handles both cold and hot air. Having the unit do double duty could lead to inefficiencies. With a second air handler unit, however, one handler on an upper floor can push cool air down (which is the direction it is already going in) in the summer, and the handler in lower floor can push warm air in the winter. It will be easier on both because there will already be cooler air in lower floors, and warmer air in the upper floors.
Adding an air handler may not be as expensive as you would think as well. Just check with a professional, like the professionals at Aztil Air Conditioning, to get a sense of whether such a change is worth it. In many cases, the savings in efficiency and energy will more than justify the added handler.
Pro Tip #5 – Avoid the Restrictions
This final tip can be a do-it-yourself tip as well. Make sure that you do not have furniture or other objects blocking air vents. Your air vents are there to provide a free flow of air. If you block a vent, then your HVAC system has to work harder overall. That is a no-no for efficient air conditioning, particularly in Florida where air conditioning is pretty vital.
Here are some things to think about. Your vents need about 18 inches of space to do their job. Therefore, you would be wise to rearrange your furniture and hem those curtains, to ensure that your vents can work as intended by providing airflow. As a last resort, if you really cannot move that roll-top desk or couch, look to get a magnetic air deflector so that the air blows away from the nearby restricting furniture.
West Palm Beach HVAC Pros Are Ready to Help You
Think about getting an air conditioning checkup from the best air conditioning repair specialists in West Palm Beach – Aztil Air Conditioning. We actually have a Spring Cleaning Special that lasts until May 31, 2019. Let us do a tune-up on your HVAC system for maximum results.
Our business headquartered in West Palm Beach has over 100 trucks to help you with all types of air conditioning and appliance installation needs. Call us at 888-729-8452, or fill out our online contact form. We will have pro tips specific to your home.
