Airflow plays a very important part in creating comfort for your building tenants. Most facility managers pay attention to the temperature in order to reduce costs, but sometimes overall temperature can be misleading. Hot and cold spots created by poor airflow can make guests uncomfortable, and cost you greatly in the long run.
On the other hand, sometimes you want different areas of the building to be different temperatures. Spaces that aren’t occupied by tenants or customers can be costly to maintain if you keep them cooled or heated the same way you do areas with heavy foot traffic. In these instances, using a smart thermostat to create different temperatures for times and spaces can be greatly beneficial for your budget and HVAC system.
Regardless of the temperature, airflow in your office should be addressed before the hottest summer months arrive. Balancing airflow will improve indoor air quality and energy efficiency, and increase your HVAC system’s overall performance. Below are just a few ways in which you can help maintain better air balance throughout the year:
Proper sealing and insulation. Air balancing issues often occur due to cracks in the interior of a building or poor insulation. Insulation issues allow cooled air to escape from inside, while cracks and crevices will bring warm air from outside into the building. These issues create areas of inconsistency in temperature. However, your maintenance team can easily fix these problems by caulking and ensuring proper insulation of your building.
Prevent restrictions in airflow. Make sure your vents are unobstructed by appliances, furniture, or facility equipment to provide maximum airflow to the space. You may not realize it, but a vent that is partially blocked is hindered from properly cooling your office. This can lead to spaces that are warmer or more humid than others.
Inspect your ductwork. Oftentimes the ductwork in your HVAC system is to blame for uneven distribution of air in an office. Ductwork issues happen for many reasons, so consult with your MaintenX HVAC technician before scheduling any repairs. Typically, if it is a ductwork problem that is causing air balancing issues, your technician can apply a simple solution that will improve overall HVAC efficiency.
These simple solutions won’t cost much for your facility, but they can make a big impact in air balancing, energy efficiency, and overall HVAC performance all summer long. If you’d like to learn more about your HVAC maintenance options, call your local MaintenX team today!
