3 Hindrances to Even Airflow and High Energy Efficiency

Maintaining proper airflow throughout your home in Norton, VA, is essential to its air quality and comfort. However, countless things can stand in the way of that airflow you may not know about. Here are three of the most common hindrances to even airflow and high energy efficiency inside your home:

Clogged HVAC Air Filter

The most frequent cause of airflow problems we observe in homes in Norton, VA, is a clogged HVAC air filter. Most air filters require replacement roughly every 90 days. If you don’t replace them, they become so dirty that they no longer permit smooth airflow through your system.

A clogged air filter will also strain your HVAC system since its blower fan will work harder to overcome the obstruction. Plus, it may affect your home’s indoor air quality. The good news is that replacement HVAC air filters are inexpensive and easy to find.

Too Many Closed Vents

Another common hindrance to even airflow is when you keep too many of your vents closed. You may not know it, but you’re not supposed to control temperatures in your home by closing the vents. One or two partially closed vents are fine, but any more and you create excess pressure in your ductwork.

Over-pressurizing your ductwork can lead to damage to its joints and seals. It also creates resistance that prevents your HVAC system’s air from flowing freely.

Damaged/Dirty Ductwork

If your home’s ductwork has any damage, it can also affect your home’s airflow. Leaky ducts allow conditioned air to escape into your home’s walls, which reduces flow into your property via its vents.

A professional HVAC service technician can detect damaged ductwork by testing your HVAC system’s input and output air pressures. If your system pulls in more air than it returns to your rooms, your ductwork likely needs repair. You might also need a duct cleaning to clear clogged ductwork.

If none of the above reasons explain your home’s airflow and energy efficiency issues, a malfunctioning HVAC system may be the culprit. Contact Mid Mountain Heating & Cooling today to ask about our HVAC repair services.

Image provided by iStock

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