Residential air balancing
If one bedroom is always cold and another always stuffy, your system probably isn’t sending air where the house needs it. We measure every room and fix the balance.
When you need it
- Some rooms are noticeably warmer or colder than others.
- Upstairs is hot in summer and the basement is cold in winter.
- You’ve finished the basement, added a room, or replaced the furnace or air conditioner.
- Your HRV or ERV was never balanced after it was installed.
What we do
Walk-through
We talk with you about which rooms are uncomfortable and when, and inspect the furnace, filter, ductwork and registers.
Measure
We measure the airflow at every supply and return register, and check the furnace’s total airflow and static pressure.
Adjust
We set branch dampers and fan speed to send air where the house needs it, and balance the HRV or ERV.
Recommend
If the ductwork itself is the problem, we explain what would fix it and what’s involved.
What you receive
- Airflow for every room, before and after
- System static pressure and fan settings
- A short list of fixes, if adjustment alone isn’t enough
Questions
Will balancing fix my cold room?
Often it helps a great deal. If the room needs more heat than its duct can deliver, or the room itself is poorly insulated, we’ll tell you, so you’re not paying for adjustments that can’t work.
Do I need a new furnace?
Not usually. Comfort problems are more often caused by airflow and ductwork than by the furnace itself. Measuring first tells you which it is.
Should I close the vents in rooms I don’t use?
Generally no. Closing several registers raises the pressure in the ductwork, which can reduce total airflow and strain the fan. Adjusting the branch dampers is a better way to redirect air.
Further reading
- Air balancing procedures and instruments
Learn the instruments used to measure airflow and pressure, and the step-by-step procedure for balancing constant volume and VAV air systems.
Related services
Also in testing, adjusting and balancing: Air balancing (TAB), Water balancing (hydronic), Duct leakage testing, Control system verification.
Get a quote for residential air balancing
Tell us about the building and what you need. We’ll be in touch within one hour.