You can tell your air ducts are congested or blocked when the rooms inside your house aren’t at the same temperature. Another indication is the increase in your energy bills–more than what would be expected with a seasonal change.

The most common cause of low air flow through the vents in your home is blocked or dirty AC filters. When you clean or change your AC filters, be sure to vacuum the metal grates closing the filters in at the same time. Another way to prevent common home cooling problems is to clean your AC registers on a regular basis.

Your blower is a fan located in your air conditioner’s indoor unit (usually in your attic, crawlspace or a closet). A fan clogged by dirt, a stuck wheel, broken motor, or a loose fan belt are all common problems that reduce the amount of airflow you feel coming from your vents.

5 Ways to Improve Airflow in Your Home

1. Check Vents and Registers. One of the simplest things you can do to increase airflow in your home is to check the vents and registers in each room.
2. Turn on Ceiling Fans.
3. Schedule HVAC Maintenance.
4. Consider Duct Cleaning.
5. Invest in a Ventilator.

If the AC system is operating correctly, then the air coming out of your vent should be about twenty degrees cooler than the regular temperature inside. So, if you’re cooling it and the house is 80 degrees, then you would ideally want the air to be about 60 degrees.

If you are looking at a duct that is coming off the furnace and going straight up like it is going to the upstairs, and the wing is in the same direction as the duct, it is open. If the wing is in the opposite or vertical position to the ductwork, then the damper is closed.

How to Improve Air Circulation in a House

1. Open doors and windows. This is the most simple and obvious way to immediately improve the indoor air circulation.
2. Install exhaust fans, especially in the kitchen and bathroom.
3. Run ceiling fans and window fans.
4. Install an attic vent, if you do not already have one.

One simple way to improve HVAC airflow

1. Perform HVAC airflow measurement and testing to determine the severity of the problem.
2. Clean or replace air filters.
3. Clean fan blades.
4. Inspect & adjust motors.
5. Inspect your ductwork for blockages or leaks.
6. Clean coils.
7. Inspect your HVAC design and recommend modifications.

Having several return vents (ideally one in every room, but even two or three is better than just one) creates consistent air pressure. If you have one return vent, your home is fine. Keep the doors to each room open so air can properly circulate.

Do not put filters in your supply vents. Your AC system should have a proper fitting filter on the return side. By placing a good fitting, high quality filter on the return vent, you will remove particles from the air before they can enter the AC system.

Small animal movement. Traditionally, thermostats and room temperature sensors have been mounted approximately 60 inches (152 cm) from the floor. This has been considered an effective height to measure the room temperature and to allow a person to adjust a setpoint while standing.