Get matched with top air duct cleaners in Devils Lake, ND

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, or ASHRAE, sets the standard guidelines for air changes per hour in homes and businesses. The International Residential Code, or IRC, also sets ACH requirements for residences and bases those requirements off of ASHRAE standards plus climate specifics related to your location.

The best location for return air vents is strategic to ensure balanced airflow and temperature control. In most homes, placing them in central, open areas like hallways or large living spaces is most effective. Ideally, they should be located across from a supply vent. Climate is also a factor: in warm climates, place vents high on the walls to help remove rising hot air, while in colder climates, lower placement is better. It's also important to ensure that vents placed low on walls are not blocked by furniture. The optimal placement ultimately depends on your HVAC system's design, your home's specific heating and cooling needs, and the accessibility of the ductwork.

Dirty filters are almost always the cause of poor airflow, so they should be regularly cleaned and then replaced as needed. The fan blades can also get dirty, so they should be cleaned when the unit is turned off. Make sure that the outdoor area around the back of the unit is unobstructed. Trees, shrubs, trash, and other objects could be too close to your unit.

You will know if your furnace needs cleaning if your furnace seems to be working less efficiently than normal. You may notice your bedroom is chilly, but the living room is extremely warm, or perhaps the furnace isn’t heating the house properly at all. The furnace may also make weird noises, like bangs or whistles, or emit a rubbery or smoky smell when it is dirty. Of course, these symptoms could also be signs of other issues, so call in an HVAC pro to take a look as soon as possible.