For optimum heating, cooling, and energy efficiency, one thing is vital: maintaining airflow. The volume of air circulating through HVAC components is one of the system’s most critical specifications. It’s also among the very first things an experienced HVAC service tech will check when troubleshooting any number of potential problems in the system.
HVAC airflow is designed as a circular process:
- Supply airflow is conditioned air from the furnace or air conditioner that is conveyed under positive pressure to individual rooms through supply ductwork.
- Return airflow is drawn out of rooms under slightly negative pressure and returned to the furnace or air conditioner through dedicated return ducts.
If proper attention to maintain airflow is neglected, everything you want to go up, such as heating/cooling efficiency, indoor comfort, and healthy air quality, goes down instead. Meanwhile, everything you want to go down‚ such as monthly operating costs and wear and tear on system components, goes up. Here are some ways to properly maintain airflow and keep the system in balance.
- Change the air filter. It’s the most common cause of insufficient HVAC air circulation. Maintain airflow by checking the condition of the filter monthly during heating season and replacing it with a fresh filter at least every other month. In cooling season, replace the filter monthly.
- Keep all vents in all rooms open. Closing vents in underutilized rooms to conserve energy sounds reasonable. Unfortunately, the system blower keeps circulating the same volume of heated or cooled air that it’s rated for whether all vents are open or not. Closing vents also unbalances air volume into individual rooms, making some rooms too warm and others too chilly.
- Have ductwork inspected. Aging ductwork is often too leaky to properly maintain airflow volume. Duct leaks may occur at joints between segments or due to general deterioration of the duct material. Since most ductwork is inaccessible to the average homeowner, an inspection and leakage test by a professional is required to properly maintain airflow.
For professional service to maintain airflow and support optimum heating and cooling, contact the professionals at Paitson Bros. We’ve been keeping Terre Haute homes comfortable and efficient since 1922.
Jeff Paitson is a third generation business owner who continues to run the business with the same values that have been passed down from previous generations since 1922.
Jeff’s belief is that the business belongs to Jesus Christ; therefore 10 percent of the company’s profits go toward the Maryland Community Church.
Jeff is a Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce member and in his spare time, he enjoys 
Ethan Rayburn is a lifelong resident of Terre Haute and a 2005 graduate of Purdue University.
An Eagle Scout, Ethan spent four years as a non-profit executive with the Boy Scouts of America before joining Paitson Bros. as a comfort advisor and later General Manager. In that role, Ethan has brought a renewed enthusiasm for customer care, integrity, value, and service to Paitson Bros. Heating & Air Conditioning.
Ethan enjoys singing and was a member of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club. He also enjoys playing and coaching soccer, spending time with his family and two young boys, and volunteering his time and resources with his church, Terre Haute First Baptist Church, which he has attended from a very young age.
Paitson Bros
1 (812) 232-2347
Serving the Wabash Valley, IN Area Since 1922