Balanced Forced Air

Uneven room temperatures are not only uncomfortable, but can be costly, with everyone in the house changing the thermostat to suit their own comfort. But all that may be required is a careful re-balancing of the ducts and vents in the system, for everyone to be cool and happy. Here's how to do it.

• Start by looking for the damper controls like this on the ductwork around your house. They're easily adjusted using the handle and nut on the side.
  
• Open the dampers in the ducts leading to all the problem areas. Let the air conditioning run for an hour, and check the temperature in the room.
  
• Partially close the dampers in rooms that are too cool, forcing the conditioned air into rooms that are too warm. Wait an hour, check and repeat as needed.
  
• If you don't have dampers, use the vent controls on the registers.

The same method applies to forced air heating as well. In fact, you may find that to keep everyone comfortable you need to adjust your dampers or registers each summer and winter.