As long as the AC is working fine, there is no need to worry about anything. But as soon as the cooling diminishes or the airflow becomes weak, there’s trouble brewing. Such occurrences are annoying and have an adverse impact on the comfort level inside the home. Weak AC airflow happens to be one of the most common HVAC problems that homeowners face. Knowing what could be the probable reasons behind it helps resolve the issue faster and better.
Today we shall learn more about detecting weak airflow problems in the AC and the top three reasons behind it.
Detecting Weak AC Airflow
If your air conditioner is not cooling the home properly and you suspect that its airflow has become sluggish, you may notice the following symptoms:
1. Hot And Cold Spots – Throughout your home, there will be hot and cold spots. Areas closer to the vents will be cooler, and parts further away will be warmer. Had the airflow been normal, all parts in the house would have the same temperature.
2. Pressure Imbalance – If you hear peculiar whistling sounds in the house, there are drafty areas, or the doors slam shut suddenly. This means that there is a pressure imbalance inside your house. Poor airflow usually causes this problem.
3. Hardly Any Air Coming From The Vents – When you take your hands close to the vents, you should ideally feel a gentle breeze like movement. If you feel nothing at all or if the feeling is hardly registerable, it means that the airflow from the AC has become sluggish or weak.
Top 3 Reasons For Weak AC Airflow
There is always a reason behind the heating and cooling system problem. The top three reasons that contribute to weak AC airflow are:
1. Clogged Air Filter – The air conditioner can only blow out as much air as it breathes. If it is unable to take in air in adequate quantity, there is no way it can send out sufficient air into your home to cool it desirably. When the air filters get dirty or saturated with dirt, they block all the holes through which the air flows into the AC. The dirt acts as an obstruction and disrupts the air conditioners’ breathing mechanism. So ultimately, the air that flows into your house is also inadequate.
What To Do – Fortunately, taking care of the clogged air filters is very easy. Routinely change the air filters at least once every quarter, though monthly is more preferable. While at it, make it a habit to check the vents. If they have been closed by mistake or blocked by something, remove the obstruction. Together these two habits will hold you in good stead and prevent the recurrence of weak airflow from the AC.
2. Leak In Air Ducts – Mostly, the problem of the ducts leading to weakened airflow takes time to build. So the loss of air should be gradual. If the airflow becomes slow overnight, the air ducts may not be the issue. Over time, the ducts develop holes or leaks, which can become a source of weak airflow. It is because treated air escapes from these cracks, and only a portion of it finds its way into your home. Usually, these gaps or cracks develop in the ducts due to age or critter infestation.
What To Do – Depending on your luck, the solution could either be simple or more complicated. If the cracks or holes are not too many and small in size, these can be plugged or sealed by the HVAC technician. However, if the damage is extensive, a part of the ductwork may have to be replaced.
3. AC Blower Problems – If the loss of air is a sudden problem, the most likely culprit is the blower fan. It is located inside the air handler and performs the task of pushing the cold air into the house. If the intensity of the push reduces, so does the flow of air. There are two main reasons that could result in blower fan problems. First, the blades of the fan may have a heavy accumulation of dust and dirt, preventing them from moving at full speed. Second, the fan motor may have developed a fault.
What To Do – If it’s about the dirt fan blades, scrubbing them clean with rags or a toothbrush will take care of the problem. However, if the fault lies in the motor of the blower fan, the HVAC technician will have to replace it.
Other Probable Causes For Weak Airflow
There could be some other reasons for the weak AC airflow. These include:
1. Frozen evaporator coils prevent the air from passing over the coils in sufficient quantity. What little air passes over the coils finds its way into the ducts, and finally, inside your home.
2. Obstructions in and around the condenser unit also disrupt the breathing cycle of the AC. Due to this, the airflow becomes sluggish.
3. All the vents and registers need to be open so that adequate air enters the home. If they are accidentally blocked, the airflow becomes slow.
4. A faulty thermostat can also slow down the fan due to which the AC is unable to push in the air at full speed.
One Simple Solution
Though there could be several reasons that slow down the airflow, there is one simple and straightforward solution to all the HVAC problems…Annual HVAC Maintenance. Ensuring that the air conditioner receives a tune-up at the beginning of the season will see to your comfort even during the hottest of days. Maintenance is not a wasteful activity. It is a way of making sure that the AC does not break down unexpectedly and works efficiently throughout the summers.
If you live in West Palm Beach, Florida, and want to schedule your HVAC’s annual maintenance, feel free to contact Aztil Air Conditioning. Our air experts can be reached at any time at +1-888-729-8452. We are open 24/7, so there is no need to wait. Call now to book an appointment.
