If your house has notoriously cold spots during winter, or uncomfortably warm rooms in summer — even when your HVAC is working fine — the culprit may be your ductwork.Twists and turns in ducts, along with long spans of ductwork, conspire to restrict air flow. While some parts of your house seem cozy, others may suffer from a lack of heated or cooled air from your HVAC system.The problem is usually worse in older homes with ducts that weren’t designed to handle modern heating and cooling systems.How Booster Fans HelpBooster fans are add-ons that help move air through ducts. While inline duct and register booster fans will not cure underlying defects, they can “boost” air flow, thus increasing the amount of cold and warm air that ultimately makes it to a room.First, Check the BasicsInspect your HVAC system for problems that might be contributing to airflow and efficiency problems. Dirty filters, peeling duct tape, and obstructed air returns all can decrease HVAC performance.Types of HVAC Booster FansRegister booster fans are the most economical and simplest to install.

These plug-and-play units replace your existing floor, wall, or ceiling register. They mount flush to the surface, plug into the wall outlet, and feature a modest internal fan that goes on and off when the HVAC system kicks in. Some feature a thermostat and multi-speed fan.Prices range from $30 for a basic unit up to $80 for those with digital thermostats, multi-speed fans, and remote control.Inline duct fans are cylindrical fans that replace a section of ductwork. That means your HVAC ducting must be exposed to work on it. Though some units simply plug in, most are hardwired and require a relay back to the furnace that tells the unit when to switch on. Installation may require an electrician.Inline duct fans are quieter than register booster fans, but you’ll have to know the size and shape of your existing ductwork so you can pick the right-sized unit. Count on paying $30 to $200 for an inline booster fan, plus a couple hundred dollars for the electrician.A Word of Caution From a Pro“The biggest challenge is the return air — getting the stale air from the second or third floor back down to the furnace to be heated or cooled and redistributed,” explains Tom Hutchinson, president of Hutchinson Plumbing Heating Cooling. 

“While cost-effective, we don’t see that booster fans provide a whole lot of success in remedying the problem,” explains Hutchinson. “The best solution is adding returns or installing a thermostatically controlled zone system.”Related: How to Fix Your AC to Last Through the SummerDo You Really Need to Clean Your Air Ducts?Your central air conditioning system has two primary functions: to produce cool air, and to circulate that air throughout your home. For the second task, the unit has a fan that pushes treated air through your vents. Most central air conditioning systems have two fan settings, which force you to make tradeoffs between comfort and efficiency. However, you can get the best of both worlds by purchasing an AC unit with a variable speed blower. Read on to learn more about how these adjustable fans work. The Binary Nature of Air Handlers Standard central air conditioning systems give you the option of setting the fan to “on” or “auto.” When the fan is turned “on,” it blows air constantly through the home whether the unit is actively cooling air or not.

That helps keep the air constantly fresh and filtered, giving a boost to your indoor air quality, but it also runs up your electricity bill. The “auto” setting, on the other hand, only runs the fan when the cooling cycle is active. This saves you energy, but allows your air to grow more stagnant. The variable speed blower gives you access to fan speeds in between the all-or-nothing nature of traditional central air conditioning systems. The air handler, or fan, can automatically ramp up its power or tamp it down, depending on the conditions inside the home. replace house ac unitThis allows the machine to take advantage of the pros of both fan settings while mitigating the cons and providing you with some other benefits as well.cost of home hvac units Variable Fan Action for the Winoutdoor air conditioning unit prices

For one thing, variable speed fans allow you to combine high indoor air quality with energy efficiency. When the AC isn't actively cooling, the fan slows down, saving electricity. But rather than shutting off altogether, the fan keeps blowing so the air is still being circulated and filtered at all times. This can be a lifesaver for people who suffer from allergies or other respiratory ailments. The constant fan action also helps keep the air temperature consistent throughout the home, so certain areas don't end up hotter or cooler than others. Furthermore, the noise level is lower than leaving the fan on full blast all the time, so your home ambiance will be a little more amenable for relaxation. Find the Variable Speed Blower That's Right for You Central air conditioning systems with variable speed blowers do cost a bit more to purchase and install, but many people find the benefits, including lower energy bills, are worth it in the long term. If you have any other questions about variable speed blowers, or need help purchasing and installing one, contact your local HVAC service provider today.

Fans vs. Air Conditioners Last week, the New York Times featured a Home Section article on fans and/or air conditioning–depending on where you stand in the debate.  The author, Michael Tortorello, reported that the number of people who prefer fans over air conditioning is less than 2%, according to ten years of research conducted by the Solar Energy Center in Florida.  I, like the author, are among that Lilliputian population.  What the article reveals is that we are essentially a nation addicted to air conditioning regardless of need. Oddly enough, I spotted this window unit on the street where I live, and came to the realization that there could be an even more serious addiction to air conditioning than the article hints.  What saddened me most was knowing that the energy I’m saving by not running an air conditioner, is being consumed just a couple doors away by someone who really, really loves air conditioning.  (A colleague of mine likened this photo to people who, years ago, placed a smaller, portable television on top of their older, bulkier console units.)