In the heat of summer or the cold of winter, a properly functioning HVAC system is essential for comfort in your suburban Chicago home. Part of the function of your system is to provide proper warm or cool airflow, but airflow problems are common and often require the expertise of an HVAC professional.
Indicators of HVAC Airflow Issues
Signs of airflow problems include:
- Hot & Cold Spots– Some areas are hot when they should be cool or cool when they should be hot.
- Pressure Imbalances– You feel a draft in certain areas.
- Little to No Air Flowing– You can’t feel air blowing from your registers.
- Warm Air Blows– You feel warm air coming from registers when you are running your air conditioner.
Often these issues are just a simple fix, but sometimes they may require a call to an HVAC professional.
Common Causes of Airflow Issues
Here are 9 common causes of airflow issues.
1. BLOCKED VENTS & REGISTERS
Check to make sure that you don’t have vents and registers that are blocked by furniture or other objects, and that all vents are open. Note that you should not close vents in rooms that are unused. Often, people think that they are saving energy by doing so, but it actually disrupts airflow and makes your HVAC system work harder.
2. CLOGGED FILTER
Filters can become blocked with dust and debris, which can lead to the furnace working harder to do its job. Clogged filters can also cause damage to your unit. Check your filter once a month and change it when it’s dirty.
3. OBSTRUCTED UNIT
Outdoor A/C units can become obstructed by leaves or debris, which can cause your unit to overheat. This can cause damage to your unit, so check periodically to make sure it is clear. You should also keep your indoor unit from being blocked by stored items, which can disrupt airflow.
4. BLOCKED OR LEAKING DUCTS
The air from the furnace fan goes through the duct system in your home and out through the register vents in each room. Any dust the filter does not catch ends up in your ducts, accumulating over time and disrupting air flow. The ductwork can also develop cracks or holes that allow air to leak out, further disrupting airflow. Duct cleaning requires a high powered vacuum, so call an HVAC professional to have your ducts cleaned and checked for leakage.
5. THERMOSTAT ISSUES
Sometimes, airflow issues can be as simple as the thermostat, which may be faulty or simply need new batteries. Change the batteries first, and if that doesn’t work, call an HVAC professional who can check the thermostat and replace it if necessary. You might want to consider a smart thermostat that you can adjust from your phone even when you’re not home.
6. DIRTY COILS
Your outdoor A/C unit has condenser coils, which are exposed to the elements and can become dirty enough to disrupt airflow. You should have your unit cleaned and serviced yearly to prevent this from happening.
7. LOW REFRIGERANT
If you have reduced airflow or notice that your home is not getting as cool as it should, your unit may be leaking refrigerant. Slow leaks can cause a gradual decline in performance. An HVAC professional can find the source of the leak, which may be fixable, but sometimes refrigerant leaks are an indicator that you need a new unit.
8. A/C UNIT IS TOO BIG
If your A/C unit is too big for your home, it will be inefficient. It may cycle on and off too frequently, which can cause improper airflow and a lack of cooling. Unfortunately, this can only be fixed by replacing the unit with a properly sized unit.
9. OUTDATED DESIGN
If you have completed major home renovations without taking the HVAC system into consideration, you may have an oversized or undersized unit, or improper duct placement. Call an HVAC professional for recommendations.
TR Miller Is Your HVAC Partner
TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, and Electrical has been serving the HVAC needs of suburban Chicago residents since 2008. We are a family-owned company, so we understand the needs and concerns of our customers. Our certified technicians are highly trained in HVAC maintenance, cleaning, repairs, and replacement and our entire team is dedicated to ensuring your family’s comfort and safety.
Give us a call, and we can thoroughly inspect your HVAC system, clean it, and perform any maintenance or repairs that are required. With TR Miller as your HVAC partner, you can rest assured that your HVAC system will perform properly and at maximum efficiency throughout the year.
