7 Causes of Poor HVAC Airflow in Your Residence

air-conditioning

Your comfort is usually guaranteed when an HVAC system works properly. However, comfort can deteriorate due to insufficient airflow from your HVAC unit. But why would the system struggle to distribute air in your home? Learn about some common causes of insufficient airflow.

1. Dirty Air Filters

Air filters work by trapping contaminants from the indoor air. Once the contaminants accumulate on the filter, they can cause clogs. Unfortunately, the dirt clogging the filters restricts air from reaching you. Check if the air filter needs changing after you notice poor airflow in your home. If the filter is dirty, swap it for a clean one to solve the poor airflow problem.

2. Low Refrigerant Levels

Low refrigerant levels are notorious for causing airflow issues and reduced cooling efficiency. Refrigerant can reduce due to a leak. Perhaps the HVAC system has a faulty valve, or the leak originates from a fitting.

When your unit has low refrigerant levels, you’ll often struggle to keep your home cool. Sometimes, you’ll even have warm air coming from your vents. Refrigerant issues require you to engage an HVAC technician. The technician will seal the leak and refill the refrigerant to restore the normal working of your HVAC unit.

3. Poorly Sized Unit

When buying a furnace or AC unit, you must acquire one that can handle your home’s heating or cooling demands. You need an HVAC expert to size the perfect unit for your home. Unfortunately, picking the wrong size unit can affect airflow.

A small HVAC system often has a weak airflow because it can’t keep up with your cooling or heating needs. And since you can’t increase the output of your small unit, you can only replace it with a larger one. Engage experts to help you pick the right HVAC system size.

4. Sluggish Blower Fans

Your HVAC system depends on the blower fan to distribute air through the vents. The blower fans must spin fast to facilitate sufficient air circulation. Unfortunately, the blower fan can turn slowly due to a loose fan belt, stuck wheel, dirt, or a failing motor.

Therefore, if the airflow from your vents reduces, ask your local technician to check the blower fan. Technicians can clean any dirt buildup from the blower fan and fix fan speed problems to restore normal airflow.

5. Dirty Condenser Unit

The outdoor HVAC unit or condenser is vulnerable to dirt and debris buildup. Birds, spiders, and other insects love nesting on the outdoor HVAC system. Also, the foliage from nearby bushes and trees can get stuck in the condenser.

Unfortunately, neglecting the condenser can impact your HVAC’s airflow and cooling abilities. The dirt and debris surrounding the condenser prevent the coil from dissipating heat. As a result, the HVAC system struggles to circulate cold air inside your rooms.

Clean the condenser often to keep your unit more efficient. Moreover, clear any vegetation near the outdoor HVAC unit to prevent debris from covering the condenser.

6. Older Unit

Old age doesn’t spare your HVAC unit. Once the unit hits 15 years, you’ll often notice a drop in cooling efficiency and reduced airflow. Your old air conditioner and furnace could have multiple worn-out components. Therefore, consider investing in a new unit instead of repairing the aging system.

7. Blocked or Leaking Ducts

Your ductwork must be in good condition to deliver cold or warm air into your home. However, age and lack of maintenance can mess up your ductwork, causing leaks and clogs. Leaks in the ductwork allow air to escape, leading to weak airflow. Also, dirty or clogged ducts restrict airflow. HVAC experts can seal leaks and clean the ductwork to improve airflow into your home.

If you aren’t happy with your HVAC system’s airflow, engage our team at Steele Brothers Heating, Inc. We have HVAC technicians who can fix insufficient airflow problems. Contact us now for all your HVAC needs.

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