With its humid continental climate, Glastonbury, Connecticut, residents can usually expect warm and muggy summers and cold, snowy winters. Having a working heater and air conditioner can make properties more comfortable. Yet, inconsistent indoor temperatures due to an unbalanced air conditioner can make indoor spaces more uncomfortable than they have to be.
Thankfully, knowing how to balance an HVAC system can sometimes remedy that problem. At SM Mechanical Services, our experienced HVAC technicians routinely service air conditioners to restore their performance and functionality as part of our premium HVAC services in Glastonbury, CT. Our post below explains what you should know about balancing cooling systems and when to contact our professionals for help.
Air Balancing in Glastonbury: What Is It?
Air balancing refers to the strategic adjustment of HVAC air vents to ensure even air distribution in a Glastonbury property. Since a home or business has multiple rooms of varying sizes with different layouts and furnishings, having all the vents open to the same degree won’t provide even cooling or heating. Air balancing addresses that problem.
When heating and cooling professionals install a system, they’ll adjust the air vents or dampers in each room to ensure every space reaches a consistent temperature. Over time, those adjustments can change, affecting how a building heats up or cools down and causing discomfort.
Your Glastonbury HVAC could fall out of balance due to:
- Unintentionally or intentionally readjusting the dampers
- Changing the furniture or layout inside a room and accidentally impacting its airflow and heat
- Having damaged insulation in some parts of the building, leading to air leakage
- Making home additions that alter HVAC needs
- Installing energy-efficient windows and doors that can impact airflow
If your HVAC system lacks balance, some rooms will feel cooler or warmer than others, even if you only have one thermostat controlling the temperature inside your residential or commercial property.
Signs That Your HVAC Unit Is Out of Balance
Determining if your property’s HVAC unit is out of balance is relatively straightforward. Suppose you notice a dramatic difference in temperature changes between your rooms or on different floors. In that case, it usually means that some parts of the building are getting more conditioned air than others.
Other warning signs that indicate an unbalanced HVAC system include:
- Temperature changes exceeding three degrees in different rooms or between different floors
- Air vents with excessive airflow
- A whistling sound when you close the vents in overly conditioned rooms
- Higher energy bills due to the HVAC unit overworking itself to evenly heat or cool the property
- Vents that don’t seem to have reasonable airflow, even if the dampers are wide open
Tips for Balancing Your Air Conditioner
If you want to learn how to balance an HVAC system without professional intervention, consider the following tips.
Assess Your Thermostat’s Location
The location of your thermostat plays a direct role in its performance, which in turn impacts the performance of your HVAC unit. Start the air-balancing process by assessing the room containing your home’s thermostat.
If the space gets lots of light and heat from the sun, your air conditioner will run more often because it assumes the whole house is too hot. The same problem occurs due to heat from nearby electronics. Relocating the thermostat might be best under these conditions.
Install Window Treatments in Your Glastonbury Residence
Window treatments like drapery, curtains, blinds, and shades can block air drafts from leaky windows, shield rooms from the sun’s solar heat, and help indoor spaces retain their conditioned air. Depending on the types of window treatments you use in each room, you can help them stay cooler or warmer without turning on your HVAC unit.
Check Air Ducts for Leaks
Air leakage is a common yet often-overlooked problem with ductwork. A leaky air duct won’t distribute conditioned air well. Seal any holes or gaps you detect in your ductwork with insulation and an appropriate sealant.
Adjust Your Air Vents
Readjust the air vents in rooms according to what the spaces need. For instance, if a room isn’t getting enough chilled air in the summer, open the vent more. If a room is too chilly due to the air conditioner distributing too much air into it, close its vent partially.
Clean Your Air Filters Regularly
It’s best to change HVAC air filters at least once every 90 days. These filters collect airborne debris and will eventually clog. A dirty filter will restrict airflow.
What To Expect With Professional Air Conditioning Balancing in Glastonbury
Though you can learn how to balance an HVAC system to ensure your Glastonbury home or business is consistently comfortable, professional air balancing can produce more desirable results. Experienced HVAC technicians know how to conduct an in-depth system inspection and run tests to measure the amount of conditioned air the vents are dispersing to each room.
Sometimes, balancing an HVAC system is as simple as making minor adjustments to air vents, which a property owner can do themselves. In other cases, the process involves technical work like installing new dampers, replacing an inadequate HVAC unit, or adjusting the blower fan speed.
If you call a professional to balance your HVAC system, they may perform a comfort balance. During this service, the technician pays close attention to certain components, like the system’s blower fan, while providing basic adjustments. A more intricate process, such as National Comfort Institute-certified balancing services, includes complete air diagnostics and air balancing.
Rely on SM Mechanical Services To Handle All Your Residential HVAC Needs in Glastonbury
Whether you’re wondering how to balance an HVAC system or asking, “How long do HVAC systems last?” Our professionals at SM Mechanical Services can provide the answers you seek. We’re one of the top-rated HVAC contractors proudly serving homes and businesses in Glastonbury, Connecticut.
At our BBB-accredited business, licensed and insured HVAC technicians have the training and expertise to handle any heating and cooling project regardless of size and scope. We offer stress-free experiences and various HVAC services, including air conditioning balancing, repair, and replacement. Connect with SM Mechanical Services today for an appointment. Call 860-296-5100 and speak with us.