Got Furnace Air Flow Problems? Here's How To Fix Them! | TruNorth Heating & Air

Have you been noticing that recently your furnace isn't blowing air as it should?

Maybe there's reduced airflow coming out of your furnace. Or warm air could only be directed to one room in your house, if there's even any airflow at all!

Airflow problems such as these can be caused by various furnace issues.

These can be related to many things, such as the parts themselves, airflow blockages, and even electrical & gas problems.

If left unresolved, many of these problems can develop beyond airflow problems and will end up costing you a ton in repairs. 

Keep reading to find out what's terrorizing your furnace, and what you can do to save the day.

Problems with your air ducts can cause major airflow problems.

Put simply, the air ducts are responsible for guiding the hot air produced by your furnace all throughout your home.

If you're noticing insufficient or poor airflow, your air ducts are likely compromised.

Your ducts can wear down due to numerous factors, such as the environment and how often it's used. 

This can cause holes to develop in the ductwork, which warm air will quickly escape out of due to thermal conduction.

Repairing air ducts requires a high degree of knowledge and experience due to the technical nature of the systems. 

If you're experiencing low airflow and suspect it's due to ductwork issues, you should contact an HVAC technician.

If there doesn't seem to be any holes in your ducts, the air could instead be getting stuck within them. 

Buildups of dust or other unwanted materials on the ducts can cause airflow issues, as the air struggles to get through.

Cleaning your air ducts can either be done professionally or, if you're confident, by yourself. 

However, if your air duct is very old or you suspect animals may be living in it, you should not attempt to clean it yourself and instead have it professionally examined.

Sometimes, air vents can be a little annoying. If you're stuck under one you'll feel it constantly blowing air on you, which can mess up your hair or make you overheat.

Despite these potential annoyances, you should never block the vents. Why? Because obstructed air vents can lead to weak airflow.

Make sure all the air vents and return air vents in your home aren't covered, because this can prevent air from circulating.

Dampers are moveable plates inside your duct system that direct airflow throughout your home. It makes sense then that problems with your dampers can provoke airflow problems.

Closed dampers or dampers that have fallen out need to be opened and put back into place. This should quickly fix any airflow issues, and can be done independently.

However, if you have a very modern system, your dampers are probably automatically controlled. In this case, it's unlikely your dampers are causing your air flow issues.

Another major cause of airflow problems is dirty air filters.

The air filter is one of the most important parts of your system. It stops dust and dirt from getting in your air and your furnace by trapping them. This keeps your energy bills low, and your indoor air quality high.

However, if too much dirt and dust builds up on your air filter, it can become a problem of its own. 

Clogged filters will stop air from passing through, leading to hot and cold spots and stuffy air throughout your home.

Not necessarily.

By cleaning your air filters regularly, you can increase airflow and make sure your system operates at its best.

If it's been more than 3 months since you've last cleaned your air filter, either remove dust and debris yourself using a vacuum or just replace it outright.

Not all air filters are created equal and some collect debris more quickly than others. 

If you're looking to replace a filter that constantly clogs, make sure you get one that suits your system.

Filters with a MERV scale rating of 8-11 will give you the best results for your furnace.

As the fan is responsible for circulating the air heated by your furnace, your airflow issue may be caused by a broken or malfunctioning furnace fan.

A good way to check this is to turn off the heat mode on your thermostat and just let the fan run. If no air is being produced at all, you likely have a problem with your fan.

It's worth noting that your thermostat might be the reason why you're not experiencing any airflow.

Make sure your thermostat is actually on and set to the correct settings. Sometimes it's just as simple as realizing somebody's turned it off!

If you find that the thermostat is not responsive despite being on the correct settings and charged (even a low battery can cause problems!), you probably need a new thermostat.

If you're frequently experiencing airflow issues with your furnace, you may be wondering if you need a new system.

If your furnace is more than 15 years old, constantly making noises, and costs you a lot in energy bills and repairs, it's most likely time to look at getting a new one.

Instead of a new furnace, you could consider upgrading to a full HVAC system. An HVAC system is not only a furnace but also an air conditioning unit and ventilation all built into one.

If you're looking to replace your furnace or air conditioner and are interested in HVAC systems, consider discussing it with a Tru North HVAC professional. 

We can help you work out if an HVAC system is right for you and offer maintenance services to prevent common HVAC airflow problems.

An airflow problem with your furnace can come from a wide range of factors, such as dirt and other debris in your filters, faulty thermostat settings, and blockages in your ventilation. 

All these can seriously limit your air flow and run your bills up.

Wanting to make sure your furnace lasts the winter? Contact us at Tru North HVAC. 

Our experts have years of experience with furnaces and can identify and solve your airflow issues quickly and efficiently.

If you need help with your furnace or HVAC system and live in the Chester County, contact us today.

We're also experts with air conditioning units, and can fix low airflow and reduced cooling problems coming from your air conditioner such as:

• An oversized AC unit or undersized unit
  
• Leaking refrigerant
  
• Dirty condenser coils & other dirty coils
  
• AC vent blockages
  
• Problems with the condensing unit of your air conditioner
  

If you're having air flow problems with your air conditioner as well, talk to us today.

This article was written by Ray Stubbs

President and Owner of Tru North Heating and Air

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