If your home needs air balancing, you probably already suspect something is wrong. When your HVAC system becomes unbalanced, indoor comfort, energy efficiency and monthly operating costs are affected.
The system integrates two ductwork branches: supply and return. Supply ducts deliver heated or cooled air to individual rooms while the return ducts remove air and convey it back to the furnace or A/C.
Air balancing ensures that conditioned air is evenly distributed throughout all living spaces and supply volume and return volume are in proper proportion. Here are some reasons why air balancing is a critical factor:
1. When the system is unbalanced, heating and cooling is inconsistent.
Depending on how far a particular room is from the furnace or air conditioner, that space may receive insufficient conditioned air and remain chronically chilly in winter and/or uncomfortably warm in summer. Thermostat adjustments to correct this inconsistency cause the furnace or A/C to run longer cycles, consuming excess energy, boosting monthly costs and increasing wear and tear on the system.
2. If HVAC return ducts pull more air volume out of rooms than supply ducts deliver, the house becomes depressurized.
In this unbalanced condition, outdoor air is continuously sucked indoors through structural cracks and gaps and around windows and doors. Infiltration of outside air causes the furnace or A/C to run extended cycles to maintain the thermostat setting. Energy efficiency drops and operating costs increase.
Because unfiltered air also carries particulates and allergens, indoor air quality may be tainted. A depressurized house is also at greater risk for backdrafting fumes from gas-fired appliances like the furnace and water heater.
Restoring Balance
To restore balance to your HVAC system, a qualified service technician will measure airflow volume in each room. Volume will be balanced by adjusting internal dampers in supply ducts, as well as correcting issues such as duct leakage.
The goal in air balancing is to maintain a slightly positive air pressure in the house which is optimal for consistent comfort in all rooms, maximum energy efficiency and healthy air quality.
For more on the importance of air balancing, ask the pros at Jackson & Sons Heating and Air.
Jackson & Sons, Inc.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Eastern North Carolina (including Wayne, Johnston, Greene, Lenoir, Pitt and Duplin Counties) about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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