Why There Could Be Poor Airflow From the Vents in Your Home
Airflow in the home’s HVAC system is of the utmost importance and essential for maintaining a clean home that is comfortable and energy-efficient for all family members. It is important to be on top of airflow in the household and notice if there is poor airflow coming out of the vents, which can cause uncomfortable or uneven temperatures and more expensive utility bills. Since this can come from various things, homeowners must understand what could be causing the poor airflow and know when to take care of the problem.
The Air Filter Being Clogged
A clogged air filter is one of the most common reasons that airflow in the home can be quite poor. The HVAC’s air filter will capture the home’s dirt, dust, and airborne particles, preventing anything from entering the HVAC unit or clogging a filter. With this, airflow restriction is stopped, ensuring it continues throughout the house. If these pieces of dust and dirt are allowed to enter the system or clog the filter over a prolonged period, it would restrict airflow and make the home’s air system more uncomfortable.
In addition to making the home’s air feel uncomfortable, it can make the HVAC system work harder and increase energy consumption, meaning higher utility bills. In the worst-case scenario, it could damage the system. To maintain long-term airflow, it is important to continuously check and replace air filters at least once a quarter, if not once a month.
Problems With the Ductwork
The ductwork can also be a prime culprit for issues with airflow in the HVAC system. For a deeper understanding, ducts are expected to move air that has been conditioned and set to temperature around the house, meaning that when there is an issue, it will directly impact the household airflow performance. Some common problems in the ducts can be obstructions, blockages, leaks, or just poorly designed ducts that are inefficient or unable to do the task for the house.
If the ductwork leaks, it won’t properly circulate the conditioned air because it will escape before it reaches the vents, and therefore, less air will come through. If there are blockages or obstructions, including particles, debris, and even rodents or other pests, the air might not get through the air vent as easily and could create problems in the ductwork system. If the air ducts have been poorly designed or installed improperly, the airflow could be restricted through bottlenecks or allowing too much air to flow through without reaching the vents. It is important to have an HVAC professional regularly inspect and update the home’s ductwork to identify any issues before they become serious and ensure that the ductwork is efficient.
Low Levels of Refrigerant or Coils Are Dirty
The last common airflow problem comes from the coils in the air conditioning unit, which are an important part of the cooling process. The coil system works by the evaporator coil absorbing heat from the air indoors. In contrast, the condenser coil releases the heated indoor air outside, creating a predictably temperate climate within the house. When the coils become dirty or otherwise out of good condition, they cannot transfer heat outdoors, meaning that the HVAC system might not be able to cool air as efficiently or move air around the house.
If the coils are clean but the refrigerant levels are low, this can have a similarly poor impact on the home's airflow. Low refrigerant levels can cause the coils to freeze, meaning the airflow won’t continue as efficiently, and the house could struggle to cool. Refrigerant leaks can also become a problem and cause the refrigerant levels to lower significantly, possibly even creating problems for the unit. For this, it’s important to maintain proper maintenance and call an HVAC professional to ensure that the coils are clean and ready to go and that the refrigerant levels are in the green zone.
About Swick Home Services
Swick Home Services is an HVAC company that has been finding perfect solutions to complex problems for over four decades. They prioritize fair pricing and full support. To get trustworthy and dependable HVAC services in the Marquette, MI area, call Swick Home Services today.
