Are there areas of your home that are never quite as comfortable during winter as you’d like? HVAC specialists can help with that by identifying and correcting issues related to heating output, circulation, and ventilation.
Building Envelope
A fundamental way HVAC experts can help you improve airflow and heat evenness is by assessing your home’s building envelope. The envelope is key to comfort, energy efficiency, and air quality, and it encompasses roofing, windows, ductwork, foundation, and more. A loose building envelope can undermine airflow and heating in two fundamental ways: natural ventilation and the thermal barrier. If a home has too much natural ventilation, for example, from cracks in walls, it will allow heated air to escape. If the thermal barrier is inadequate, your home will be more difficult to heat because you’ll lose heat energy through windows and other features.
Heating Output
The U.S. HVAC industry measures heating output in British thermal units (BTUs). To ensure a comfortable and efficient home, you need enough BTUs based on its size, floor plan, and other factors. Malfunctions can lead to a decrease in output. An HVAC technician can identify and correct issues related to air handlers, heat exchangers, gas valves, and so forth.
Circulation
Most home heating systems don’t draw in fresh air but rather circulate air throughout the home. If the main blower is functioning well, it should provide enough circulation. An HVAC expert may recommend ceiling fans to improve air quality and even out the distribution of heat. A technician can also identify circulation problems, such as blocked vents and closed-off rooms.
Ventilation
For home heating, circulation and ventilation are closely related, but ventilation is a broader concept. Many homes have central heating systems with ductwork. Your home may need duct cleaning if dust has accumulated in your ducts to the point of obstructing airflow. It may also need duct sealing if there’s air leakage undermining the home’s comfort and air quality.
Many homes rely entirely on passive ventilation during the winter. That means there’s not much fresh air when you have the house heated and sealed tight. Your technician can help you explore adding a whole-house fan, such as a heat or energy recovery ventilator (HRV, ERV). An HRV extracts heat energy from stale air and uses it to preheat incoming fresh air. ERVs do the same but also add moisture to the air to avoid the dryness that’s common in winter.
A technician can also assess your system for proper air balancing. There are ways to enhance air balancing in a home. Active duct dampers, for instance, let you regulate how much airflow each zone receives.
If you’d like to schedule a home heating assessment in Montgomery, AL, call Alabama Home Pros today, or book an appointment online.