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Atlantic Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Inc. Blog

Don’t Forget the “V” in Your HVAC System: Ventilation

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When homeowners think about their indoor comfort, they usually think of their heating and air conditioning: the “H” and “AC” in the acronym “HVAC.” They often forget about the “V” sandwiched in the middle, standing for “ventilation.” But that letter is in the acronym for a good reason—ventilation is essential for comfort in a home and for better indoor air quality. Problems with ductwork in the ventilation system can lead to poor heating/cooling distribution, humidity swings, dusty and polluted air, and a plunge in HVAC energy efficiency.

What Can Be Done for Better Ventilation?

There are a few basic steps you can take to make sure you have air circulating properly around your house.

  • See that all the registers in the rooms are open and unblocked. Moved furniture may obstruct these vents, and closed louvers will also prevent air circulation and possibly damage the ductwork from the increase in air pressure.
  • Change the air filter in the HVAC system if it’s clogged. A clogged filter chokes off airflow through the rest of the HVAC system.

However, for most ventilation improvement work, you’ll need a professional Rehoboth Beach, DE, HVAC contractor to handle the job, the same as you would for repairs and replacements for the heater and air conditioner.

If your house is suffering from the signs of bad ductwork in the ventilation system (odors from the vents, low airflow, hot/cold spots, rattling noises, a rise in utility bills), the best step is to schedule duct testing with our team. This test is the basic way to find out if the integrity of your home’s ventilation system has been compromised with leakage and broken ductwork. Our technicians seal off the whole HVAC system and then change the pressure inside the ductwork, similar to how blower door testing is done for an entire house. We can register loss of air pressure due to leaks, and that allows us to identify if there are problems and where they are located.

The most common solution to ductwork that has lost its airtightness is duct sealing. This service requires our technicians to access the ducts where they’re losing air pressure and creates seals with a resin mastic or metallic sealing tape. No, we won’t use duct tape, and you shouldn’t either—it doesn’t do any good on actual ducts.

With the ducts fully sealed, your ventilation system will provide better air circulation, avoid changes in humidity, stop energy loss, and keep outside pollutants from getting into your home’s air.

If you want better fresh air ventilation in your home, we can help with the installation of an energy recovery ventilator or heat recovery ventilator. These devices work in a similar fashion: they pull fresh air from outdoors into the HVAC system, then use indoor air to pre-heat or pre-cool it. Your home receives air that’s already close to the temperature you want while expelling dusty and stale air outside. It’s like opening your windows, but without letting the heat or cold enter along with the fresh air.

Talk to our team today to find out how we can best make all the letters in “HVAC” work for your home.

“We Take Pride in Your Comfort” at Atlantic Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, Inc. Schedule ventilation service today.

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