Without good air circulation, living areas throughout your Indianapolis home can feel stuffy and uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are many things homeowners can do to improve air circulation and create a more welcoming indoor environment. Thiele Heating & Air Conditioning shares tips to help you boost circulation this summer season.
Utilize Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are a great tool that will help you improve indoor air circulation in the home. A ceiling fan doesn’t actually cool your home — but it does create a wind-chill effect to make you feel more comfortable. When the blades spin counterclockwise, ceiling fans pull air upwards before pushing it back down toward people below, causing a breeze that makes you feel cooler. Moving air over the skin also helps moisture evaporate, helping the body stay cool.
Running ceiling fans when rooms are occupied keeps air moving so there is no warm and stagnant air in the room. The cooling effects of fan use are only realized when people are present to feel them, so turn fans off when rooms are empty.
Operate Exhaust Fans
Kitchens and bathrooms are highly susceptible to increased levels of moisture and heat due to the activities that take place in these rooms. The additional heat and moisture cause these areas to become particularly hot and humid, especially when there isn’t much air movement.
Use exhaust fans and range hoods to improve air circulation in these rooms. Keep your exhaust fan on when performing activities that generate heat and moisture, such as cooking, taking a shower, washing clothing in hot water, and more. Keep your exhaust fan running for a short period after said activities have ceased to allow it to suck out the excess heat and humidity, and start circulating air again.
Use the HVAC System Fan
During mild weather when it’s not necessary to run the cooling system, the house can begin to feel stuffy due to a lack of airflow. While you may not need to turn on the air conditioner, you can turn on the system’s fan to improve air circulation as needed.
On your thermostat, you’ll find a switch or setting that controls the blower fan in your HVAC system. When you want to run the fan while the cooling unit is off, switch the control to ON instead of AUTO. This way, the blower will continue to circulate air through the HVAC system and house even though no cooling is performed. Be sure to set the blower fan back to AUTO when you don’t need to use it anymore, as continuously running this fan will increase electricity consumption.
Change Filters Regularly
Your HVAC system air filter has a big impact on airflow throughout the home. Clogged air filters prevent airflow into your system, which can cause it to struggle. Air cannot push into the system or out of the system, creating poor air circulation in your home.
Change your HVAC system’s air filter on a regular basis to improve air circulation and avoid impeding air movement. During the summer months, filters can fill up faster with contaminants due to increased air conditioning system use, so it’s wise to check the filter each month and change it as needed. Changing your air filters on a regular basis will help improve indoor air quality as well as circulation. Changing your air filters regularly can help preserve the life of your heating and cooling system too.
Improve Air Circulation with Professional Help From Thiele
Thiele Heating & Air Conditioning can help you improve air circulation within your Indiana residence. We can make sure your home has proper air circulation, and we can share some indoor air quality tips to help your home feel comfortable and healthy. Contact us today to learn more about ventilation fans or to have your HVAC system serviced for efficient operation.