What Causes Poor Airflow?
HVAC stands for “heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.” During the summer, most people are concerned with the “AC” part and tend to overlook the ventilation component. However, ventilation is critical to comfort inside the home all year long. When airflow is restricted, the HVAC system can’t properly ventilate the home. Hot and cold spots will form, humidity may climb, and the home generally becomes less comfortable.
Homeowners can troubleshoot airflow problems on their own to determine whether they need a contractor’s help. Here are three common places to start looking to find the source of airflow problems:
Dirty Air Filters
The best place to start looking for the source of airflow problems is at the most common cause. Time and time again, HVAC contractors are called in to address airflow issues only to find that the air filters are dirty and haven’t been changed. By simply replacing the air filter, homeowners can restore good airflow to their homes and enjoy better performance from their air conditioner. As a general rule, air filters should be changed every three months. If pets are present or the home is particularly dusty, more frequent filter changes may be required.
Damaged Ductwork
Another major cause of airflow issues is with the ducts that carry air around the home. Over time, most ductwork will form one of these issues:
- Leaks: Each joint of air ducts should be completely sealed. When the duct tape or joint compound ages, it can allow air to escape, reducing the air volume reaching its destination.
- Obstructions: Obstructions come in the form of dust and debris inside the air duct. Debris usually enters ductwork through floor vents, while dust is allowed into air ducts by dirty air filters.
- Insulation: All ducts have insulation as a part of their makeup. When the insulation degrades or gets damaged, it can affect the temperature of the air and cause the perception of low airflow.
- Damage: Ductwork is fairly fragile because it isn’t intended to withstand outside forces. When people are working around ductwork, they can damage it by crimping it to restrict airflow.
Air duct repair can restore lost performance and allow air to flow freely around the home.
Dirty AC Coils and Refrigerant Leaks
A qualified HVAC professional should verify the final causes of poor airflow, which the homeowner initially diagnosed. When airflow is restricted, air filters are clean, and ductwork is intact, the likely cause is a dirty evaporator coil. Evaporator coils get dirty when air filters aren’t changed for long periods. Cleaning the evaporator coil can restore airflow and performance to the unit.
Similar to insulation damage, refrigerant leaks can cause perceived airflow to drop. While the same volume of air is still moving, refrigerant leaks inhibit the cooling of the air as it passes over the coil. Warm air is then delivered to the vents, making it seem like there is less airflow.
About Chad's AC Direct
Chad's AC Direct excels at troubleshooting the causes of AC problems and airflow issues. They are experts in diagnosing the problem and giving upfront written estimates for transparency, listing all the needed parts to make sure it gets addressed. Call today for personalized AC repairs in Montgomery, AL.
