How do I increase static pressure in my HVAC?

Author: Andrew Wolff  |  Last update: Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Fixing low duct static pressure can be accomplished in a few different ways. If a duct is too big, you can taper it to increase air velocity. You can also add a return air duct or increase the return air trunk or airdrop. Finally, check your fan speed to ensure it's spinning correctly.

What causes low static pressure in HVAC?

Low static pressure is not a common problem for homeowners, but it does occasionally happen. Typical causes of this issue include: Leaky ducts. Separations in the ductwork.

Does increasing duct size increase static pressure?

− Diverging sections (increase in duct size): Velocity pressure decreases, total pressure decreases, and static pressure may increase (static regain). − Converging sections (decrease in duct size): Velocity pressure increases in the direction of flow, total and static pressure decrease.

What is a good static pressure for HVAC?

Many HVAC contractors agree that 0.5 inches of static pressure is ideal. At this level, HVAC systems aren't subjected to accelerated wear. Also, noise levels remain moderate when heating or cooling systems are on.

Does increasing CFM increase static pressure?

The static pressure is controlled by increasing or decreasing the speed of the blower. As your CFM increases, the static pressure will decrease.

Static Pressure Testing and Mapping Demonstration: Home HVAC Duct Performance

How do you increase static pressure?

Adding obstacles or increasing air velocity will increase static pressure, including control dampers.

Does stacking two fans increase airflow?

In general, combining axial fans in series does not increase the airflow but increases the air pressure. On the other hand, running fans in parallel does not increase the static pressure but increases the airflow.

What is the rule of thumb for static pressure?

2. Choose a design static pressure. A good rule of thumb to use is 0.10”. If you stick with this number, you will have low noise and low static pressure which will keep your customer (and the equipment) happy.

What happens if static pressure is too high?

Air Quality Issues

If static pressure is too high in an individual room, it might cause an air leak that could lead to dirty air being drawn into the rest of your home's ventilation system.

How do I check my HVAC static pressure?

The tool to measure static pressure vs airflow is known as a manometer. To use the manometer, you have to drill into both the supply and return of the HVAC system in question. The static pressure equation is simple: you must add together the measurement from the return and the supply.

What is the 2 foot rule in HVAC?

The air now has to re-pressurize to regain its turbulent flow so it can continue to push its way down the duct. It requires about 24′ or two feet to do this. This is the 'Two-Foot Rule?. Ideally, you should allow at least 24′ between takeoffs and at the end of any duct run.

How to fix high static pressure in ductwork without?

5 Ways to Fix Static Pressure Problems
  1. Inspect and Clean Ductwork Regularly. Dust and debris build-up in ducts can block airflow and increase static pressure. ...
  2. Correct the Duct Sizing. ...
  3. Adjust Vents and Dampers Properly. ...
  4. Optimize Ductwork Layout. ...
  5. Maintain a Regular Maintenance Schedule.

What is static pressure reset in HVAC?

Duct static pressure reset (DSPR) is an energy- saving strategy typically applied to variable air volume (VAV) air distribution systems controlled by direct digital control (DDC) or BMS.

Do you want high or low static pressure?

The ideal static pressure is 0.5 inches for the lowest noise and to properly take care of the equipment.

What is the static pressure for HVAC fans?

Static pressure is the measure of the potential energy of a unit of air in the particular cross section of a duct. Air pressure on the duct wall is considered static. Imagine a fan blowing into a completely closed duct; it will create only static pressure because there is no air flow through the duct.

What increases static pressure?

Restricted airflow causes an increase in static pressure. This airflow backup makes your system work harder and in the short-term cause: Pockets of hot and cold spots in your home from a lack of airflow coming from the vents. Noisier operation as your system works harder.

Why is my static pressure low?

The most common reason for low static pressure is that the system's filter is dirty or clogged. This will make airflow in and out slower, making it harder for air to move through the system. This means there will not be enough airflow to keep your home cool.

How do you solve for static pressure?

The physical formula for static pressure is P = F/A. Where P is the pressure; F is the force exerted by the liquid, and A is the area over which the force is exerted.

How do you balance airflow in ducts?

Add or remove supply and return ducts to deliver enough air to each room. Seal or insulate accessible under-insulated ducts. Add dampers to the ducts. This directs the airflow coming from the HVAC unit and shifts the desired amount to each room.

How does static pressure affect CFM?

If the estimated static pressure resistance is greater than the available static pressure of the fan, the airflow cfm delivered by the fan decreases until the system pressures match.

How to increase fan static pressure?

Basically, the airflow of a fan is proportional to the rotational speed, and the static pressure is proportional to the square of the rotational speed. In other words, doubling the rotational speed doubles the airflow and quadruples the static pressure.

What is the best fan layout for airflow?

Generally, the goal of positioning fans in a PC case is to create an airflow channel from the right side/front of your case to the upper left/rear. This channel should bring cool air across the CPU, GPU and other heat sensitive components and then exhaust out of the back and/or top.

How can I make my room colder with two fans?

The Two-Fan Trick

Directly across from the first fan, position a second fan pointing upward toward the ceiling. The fans' positions will help air circulate around the room and then push the air out through the doorway. By mimicking natural airflow, it's possible to fake a breeze indoors.

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