Ventilation Tips
Approximately half of your air registers blow heated or cooled air "out" and the other half draw air "in" to be reheated or recooled. The "out" registers are usually located on the outside or exterior walls of your home, often under windows. The "in" registers are usually located on interior walls. So remember, in most homes, air comes out the outside wall registers and goes in the inside wall registers.

Proper Adjustment
You should know how to properly adjust the air return registers for the most heating and cooling efficiency. There is usually a damper lever on each of the lower registers, but not on the top. When heating, bottom dampers should be fully open; cold air will be drawn into the bottom vent and returned to the system to be reheated. When cooling, bottom dampers should be fully closed; hot air at ceiling will be drawn into the top vent and returned to the system to be recooled.

Multi-level Homes
In homes with more than one level, balanced room temperatures can be difficult to maintain. This is largely due to the rise and fall of hot and cold air.

When heating, fully open first-floor vents located on the outside walls and slightly restrict second-floor vents. Warm air will distribute on the first floor, and the air will naturally rise to the upper rooms between heating cycles. When cooling, registers in lower levels should be slightly restricted and upper level registers should be fully open. This will deliver more cool air to the upper level rooms, and the air will naturally fall to the lower rooms between cooling cycles.

Minor adjustments can be made if you have a room that is too warm or cold. Remember, if you restrict the air from one vent, you will be forcing a greater amount of air to other vents. If you have a room that is excessively hot or cold, you may need to have the internal duct dampers adjusted. The dampers are concealed inside the air ducts in the basement or crawl space, but the controls are often accessible outside the ducts. If necessary, you can have the system balanced by a professional.

Cautions
Many doctors recommend filters that can be used directly on air registers, or magnets to close off air vents in rooms. Allergy-supply companies are eager to sell these items. On the surface, these ideas seem okay. In reality, they can reduce heating and cooling efficiency and damage your heating and air conditioning system by over-restricting airflow. Air-register filters and magnets should never be used. A good-quality furnace filter is a better choice. You should also have your heating and cooling equipment inspected annually for safety and efficiency.

This article is copyrighted and reprinted with permission by DanSchilling and Home Resource Magazine. To receive a copy of Home Resource, contact Sarah Schilling at publisherhr@gmail.com.

This article is intended to be general in nature and is not intended to address all potential issues. Specific determinations must be obtained by qualified experts.