My husband and I have spent a lot of time consulting with an architect. After living in our cramped, starter home for the past 11 years, we were finally ready to make some needed changes to it. We have added an extra 600 square feet of space onto our house. Before the construction began, we finalized the plans for our new heating and air conditioning unit with our HVAC contractor. Because our home was going to be substantially bigger than it is now, we purchased a larger HVAC system. We also installed a new, digital thermostat inside my home. On this blog, I hope you will discover the best types of HVAC units to buy for mid-size homes. Enjoy!
An air conditioner that has weak airflow won't keep you cool on a hot day. Here are four possible causes for weak airflow from your air conditioner and fixes for the problem.
Airflow Is Restricted
If your AC can't pull air into the unit, it won't be able to blow air back out. When the airflow seems weak, check for things that might be restricting it. This is something you can do yourself and might result in a quick fix for the problem. The filter is the first thing to check since airflow can be blocked when the filter is caked with dust. If changing the filter doesn't make any difference, make sure that no vents are blocked by curtains or furniture. Your air conditioner needs plenty of air circulation around it to work properly.
The Blower Is Malfunctioning
The blower is a fan inside the air handler that blows air through your AC system and out the registers. If the blower isn't working at full capacity, airflow will be weaker than normal. If the blower or motor are having problems, you may hear unusual noises or experience other problems with the AC besides low airflow. Call an ac repair service to check your blower. It may need to be cleaned if it's covered in grime and dust. The motor or electronic parts might even be bad and need to be repaired or replaced.
The Ducts Are Leaking
Another possibility to consider is a leaky duct that's letting chilled air escape in the hot attic rather than blowing through the registers. If you can get in your attic to check the vents, look for gaps or leaks that might develop due to age or rodent damage. You might be able to repair these yourself with duct tape or you can talk to an AC repair technician about the best way to seal up the ducts so they stop leaking and cool air reaches your living space.
The Dampers Are Malfunctioning
The dampers in the ducts of your HVAC control airflow. If you have automatic dampers, the thermostat controls the dampers with small motors. There will be reduced airflow if a damper isn't open all the way. Unlike manual dampers you adjust yourself, automatic dampers work independently or you can control them with a remote.
If they don't function properly, you may have adequate airflow in one room but not another. A repair technician can make repairs needed to get the dampers and your air conditioner working normally again.
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