The low airflow in your air conditioning unit might cause benign though annoying issues such as cold and hot air pockets in your Arlington, TX home. However, if left unaddressed, it could result in severe problems like compressor failure. Given this, if you want to save money on heating and AC repair, you should have a technician regularly inspect the unit. This way, they can catch any developing issues and work towards fixing them. As a result, you’ll have an efficiently running HVAC unit.
Understanding the underlying issue causing the airflow problem at your home is critical. It helps you know when to call the air conditioning repair technician urgently and when the issue can wait. In this post, you will learn the leading causes of the air conditioning unit’s low airflow issues and how the technician can help you avert them.
Causes of Low Airflow Issues In an Air Conditioner
Although low airflow can result in serious issues, most of the causes are pretty simple to fix. Below are the common causes of air conditioner airflow problems.
Dirty Fans
The blower fans are responsible for moving the air through the air ducts. They might slow down whenever they are covered in grime or dirt, resulting in a weak airflow. Have an AC repair technician regularly inspect the fans and clean them if they are dirty.
Clogged or Dirty Air Filters
The air filters remove dander, dust, pollen, hair, and other contaminants in the air blown into your home by the HVAC unit. This helps improve indoor air quality while keeping pollutants off the air ducts. When the filters get clogged with these particles, the AC unit struggles to pull the air into your home.
HVAC air filters should be replaced or even cleaned (if reusable) every 2-3 months. However, this might change depending on various factors such as lifestyle, climate, and whether you have pets at your home. You should hire a professional AC repair technician to replace the filters. DIY air conditioning maintenance and repair might worsen the issue.
Airflow Around the Condenser Unit
Most residential air conditioning units depend on a condenser unit installed outside. This unit helps the HVAC unit release the warm air removed from your home to the outdoor space. Unfortunately, the condenser unit might become blocked by shrubbery or trees. The fins may also get clogged by debris such as twigs or leaves.
Hence, the warm air will not have anywhere to go, meaning your HVAC unit will take a toll. To avert airflow issues around the condenser unit, the AC repair technicians recommend that you inspect the unit regularly and remove any dirt or debris in the way. Ensure that you trim any nearby twigs and bushes, leaving about a 2-ft clearance surrounding the unit.
Leaking or Clogged Air Ducts
Your Arlington, TX home’s air ducts move the cooled air from the HVAC system to the air vents. Dust buildup, rodent and insect infestation, or mold growth will create blockages and obstructions within the air vents, obstructing the airflow. A ductwork issue might arise if the air ducts aren’t properly sealed or insulated. This results in air leakages, meaning the cool air might escape into areas such as the attic. Hence, ensure that an air conditioning repair technician inspects the air ducts, clean them regularly, or even seals them.
Low Refrigerant Levels
This is another common reason for the reduced airflow issues. If the refrigerant or coolant leaks, the cooling efficiency of your HVAC unit takes a toll. Ideally, the refrigerant should remain consistent. Low refrigerant levels are a sign of leakage, or the unit wasn’t correctly filled. A slow coolant leakage results in a gradual reduction in cooling with time. However, you should never attempt to fix the refrigerant issues yourself. Instead, have an AC repair professional inspect the unit, patch the leakage, and refill the refrigerant.
Dirty Coils
Your air conditioner’s condenser coils release all the warm air removed from your house. Because your outdoor condenser unit houses this component, it might get covered by grime and dirt, preventing it from releasing the heat. Your AC unit will be working harder to cool your indoor space. It also makes the unit run hot. Hence, have an AC repair technician clean the coils once or twice per annum to prevent airflow issues. This will also help your unit avert overheating.
An Oversized AC Unit
If the AC unit is too big for your indoor space, it’ll reach your preferred temperature settings too quickly & shut off before it completes an entire cooling cycle. This makes that unit experience what is called short cycling. Although this might sound good, the HVAC unit is perpetually running during its startup phase. The unit will also use more energy and won’t evenly cool your home.
It also means that the unit will not have run long enough to remove the indoor humidity from your indoor space. Whenever your unit experiences short cycling, it will wear out faster, meaning that you’ll soon call an AC repair professional for a repair or a replacement. Instead of purchasing a large unit, consult a technician on the unit sizing before you go shopping.
Faulty Thermostats
If the thermostat is faulty, it also might impact airflow into your home. It may be that the thermostat has low batteries or is placed in an area prone to fluctuating temperatures. If this causes the airflow issue, the only solution is to fix the thermostat at a central location in your home or have an HVAC professional fix the thermostat.
Lack of Power
If the power source that runs your air conditioner’s fan has an issue, you might experience airflow issues. This is because the fan will struggle to circulate the air in your indoor spaces. The issue points to an electrical problem such as frayed wires or a problem in the fan motor, fan blades, or fan belt. Whenever you experience airflow issues and suspect that this is the issue, it is better that you enlist the help of an AC repair technician to resolve it.
Your Go-To Air Conditioning Repair Company
Are you experiencing weak airflow at your Arlington, TX home? Then you should have a reputable and licensed AC repair company inspect the HVAC unit to uncover the reason and resolve it. Don’t hesitate to contact us at Minuteman Heating & Air today for any air conditioning installation, maintenance, and repair.