What Is the Air Stack Effect?

What Is the Air Stack Effect?

At All Hours Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we want to equip our customers with knowledge so they can better understand their homes. Here, we’ll discuss the air stack effect.

While this is a natural process, it can impact indoor comfort and energy efficiency, particularly during the colder months in Salt Lake City, UT. Read on to learn more about the air stack effect and how you can minimize its impact on your home.

The Air Stack Effect 101

The stack effect is the movement of air into and out of buildings, chimneys, or other contained spaces. It happens because of the differences in indoor and outdoor air density. 

During winter, warm air in your home rises and escapes through openings in the attic or upper floors. This creates lower pressure at the base of your home, which pulls colder air in through lower openings. This cycle can lead to drafts, uneven heating, and increased energy bills as your heating system works harder to replace the warm air that has escaped.

How To Combat the Air Stack Effect

Understanding the stack effect is essential for Salt Lake City homeowners who want to maintain a comfortable, energy-efficient home. Here are a few ways you can reduce the stack effect in your home:

Sealing & Insulation

One of the most effective strategies against the stack effect is improving your home’s sealing and insulation. By sealing gaps and leaks in the attic, basement, and around windows and doors, you can prevent warm air from escaping and cold air from entering. You can also upgrade the insulation in your attic and walls to help maintain consistent indoor temperatures.

Mechanical Ventilation

Bringing mechanical ventilation into your home can also help manage the stack effect. Systems like heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) or energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) exchange indoor and outdoor air without letting heat escape, giving you fresh air circulation without the energy penalty of natural infiltration.

Door Sweeps & Weatherstripping

Simple solutions like adding door sweeps and weatherstripping around doors and windows can dramatically reduce air leakage. These cost-effective measures are easy for homeowners to install and can make a noticeable difference in your home’s comfort and heating efficiency.

Routine HVAC Maintenance

Ensuring your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is regularly maintained can minimize the air stack effect. A well-maintained system runs more efficiently and can help maintain balanced indoor air pressure and temperature. 

At All Hours Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we offer comprehensive HVAC services, including maintenance checks and repairs to keep your system running smoothly.

Why Choose All Hours?

The air stack effect is a natural occurrence, but with the right strategies, its impact on your Salt Lake City home can be reduced. If you’re noticing issues related to the stack effect or have concerns about your home’s air quality and energy use, let All Hours Plumbing, Heating & Cooling help. Our experienced, background-checked technicians are ready to handle any HVAC issue, providing peace of mind. 

We also offer free estimates on service calls and system replacements, as well as upfront pricing and financing options. Since 2011, we’ve been the trusted name in Salt Lake City for all HVAC needs. Let us prove why we’re your best choice for maintaining an efficient, comfortable home.

Schedule HVAC services in Salt Lake City by calling (801) 895-5774 today.

Meet the Team

All Hours Plumbing, Heating and Cooling provides affordable plumbing, HVAC, and drain cleaning services in Salt Lake City, UT. We offer 24-hour emergency services and we’re dedicated to providing the absolute highest quality service at the best prices. We don’t overbid, and we don’t underbid with the idea of tacking on hidden fees; we simply give honest prices with honest answers.

Our complete lines of Salt Lake City plumbing and HVAC services include everything from drain cleaning and water heater replacement, to air conditioning repair and furnace maintenance. No matter what you need (or when you need it!), when it comes to your plumbing or HVAC, we have you covered. Reach out to us when you need plumbing or HVAC help, and we’ll show you how easy it can be to get your home’s systems working well again soon!

Read More + Read Less -
About Us
All Hours Plumbing Heating and Cooling honest pricing sticker

Honest Pricing

Honest Answers

We won’t underbid or overbid your project. The price you see on your quote is the price you’ll pay for the work we do.
All Hours Plumbing Heating and Cooling clean home sticker

Clean Home

Guarantee

We will leave your work area cleaner than when we arrived, or we will pay for a cleaner to come through.
All Hours Plumbing Heating and Cooling truck with logo sticker

Always On Time

24/7 Services

No matter when you call us, someone will answer the phone. And once help is on the way, we'll always arrive on time.
    All Hours Plumbing Heating and Cooling honest pricing sticker

    Honest Pricing

    Honest Answers

    We won’t underbid or overbid your project. The price you see on your quote is the price you’ll pay for the work we do.
    All Hours Plumbing Heating and Cooling clean home sticker

    Clean Home

    Guarantee

    We will leave your work area cleaner than when we arrived, or we will pay for a cleaner to come through.
    All Hours Plumbing Heating and Cooling truck with logo sticker

    Always On Time

    24/7 Services

    No matter when you call us, someone will answer the phone. And once help is on the way, we'll always arrive on time.

Serving the Greater Salt Lake City Area

map pin icon Davis County
map pin icon Heber County
map pin icon SLC County
map pin icon Summit County
map pin icon Utah County
map pin icon Wasatch County
View All Cities
Schedule Service