Air conditioners are designed to keep living areas cool and comfortable when it’s hot outside. There is no surprise that these electronic machines just like any other appliances can run into problems. That said, one of the most common issues with air conditioners is weak airflow. If you are facing the same issue, consult AC repair services or check out these tips to fix the problem.

Clogged Air Filters

If you observe that your air conditioner is struggling with proper airflow, clogged air filters might be the issue. Air filters are designed to filter the air before the unit distributes it inside the house or living area. So, it is supposed to get dirty with time.

As a general rule of thumb, majority of the manufacturers recommend cleaning or replacing the air filters once or twice annually depending on the usage frequency. The reason is that not only clogged air filters influence the airflow but also poison the air we breathe.

Plus, in the worst-case scenario, your air conditioner might stop working altogether if maintenance is ignored for long. The only way to prevent such issues is by regularly inspecting and ensuring the air filters are clean. If you live in an area or region where dust and dirt are a huge issue, you will need to clean the air filters more often than usual.

Undersized Or Oversized HVAC Unit

It is a common misconception that buying an oversized or undersized HVAC unit is going to help with cooling and saving energy bills. An air conditioner bigger than the area it is supposed to cool down will constantly trip as it will reach the desired temperature in a relatively less amount of time.

Modern air conditioning units are programmed to lower the RMPs once the adjusted temperature is achieved. This helps save energy. However, with an oversized air conditioner installed, it will continuously turn on and off leading to unnecessary electricity usage.

Plus, it will affect the life of your unit as well. On the other hand, an undersized unit will have to work hard to achieve and maintain the desired temperature. As a result, it will hardly trip. This does not only increase the energy bills but also overburden the components leading to overheating and failures.

Accumulation Of Debris In The Outdoor Unit

Cleaning and maintenance of the outdoor unit are as important as the air filters and other components. The reason is that the outdoor unit is where most of the air conditioning components are installed. From the coils to the compressor, almost everything is placed inside the outdoor unit.

As a result, it has to bear the brunt of extreme weather conditions. If there is a problem with the airflow, you should check the outdoor unit for any dead leaves, shrubs, or branches blocking the components. Although experts suggest placing the outdoor unit away from trees and bushes, etc. but they can still find their way in.

Furthermore, if the components inside the outdoor unit are covered with layers of dust and dirt, it could overheat them and reduce performance. It would be best to commit to regular inspection and cleaning to avoid such a problem.

Low Refrigerant Levels In Your Unit

The refrigerant inside your air conditioner helps the unit produce cool air. There is a certain refrigerant level that will enable the unit to do its job perfectly. However, if the refrigerant level is low due to leakages or cracks, it might be that your HVAC’s airflow is also affected.

An air conditioner with low refrigerant levels tends to trip continuously and is not able to produce cool air. This could be a serious issue as it directly impacts the compressor, which is an expensive component. Low refrigerant level forces the compressor to work harder to make up for the loss of cool air and as a result, overheats that eventually leads to failure.

In this case, you will need to consult a professional to refill the refrigerant.

Blocked Or Leaking Ducts

Your air conditioner’s ductwork is responsible for delivering cold air to different areas of the house. With time, these ducts can collect dirt and dust leaking into blockages. Moreover, it could also be that some holes and cracks allow the airflow to leak.

This usually happens when the ductwork is quite old and is neglected in terms of maintenance. If you do not use your air conditioner all year round, especially in the winter, the ducts could be occupied by rats, birds, and other intruders.

Blocked or leaking ducts not only reduce the airflow but also impact the air quality inside your home by sucking up dirt and other pollutants. To counter this problem, you will need to consult HVAC repair services Fairfax so an expert thoroughly examines the ducts and repairs or replaces any cracks or holes before they cause any problems.

Vents Blockage

If you observe no air is blowing from the vents, it most likely means there is a blockage. It could be that you are blocking the vents unintentionally. For instance, a piece of furniture may be placed in front, blocking the airflow. Make sure the vents are free from obstructions and are clean and clear for the air to pass through.

Malfunctioning Thermostat

A faulty thermostat could be another reason contributing to weak airflow. If the thermostat is not properly calibrated or has malfunctioned due to some reason, it will not be able to communicate with the control board of the unit.

Modern air conditioners have an in-built thermostat that hardly malfunction but often need calibration. However, if you have installed an aftermarket thermostat, you might need to check its batteries. And if replacing and calibrating does not solve the issue, it means the thermostat needs replacement.

AC Blower Malfunctioning

The AC blower pushes the cold air through the ducts into your house. Since the blower is an electric component as well, there is a huge probability it malfunctions especially if the unit is old. It could also be that the layers of dirt and dust are preventing the blower from doing its job.

To check the issue, you will need to remove the covers of your air conditioner and access the blower. Use a microfiber cloth and a cleaning agent to remove any accumulations.

Dirty Coils

The evaporator and condenser coil work together to cool your house. With time, these coils become covered with layers of dust and dirt. However, these coils also dissipate heat. So, if the coils are covered with layers of accumulation, it would be hard for them to dissipate heat which will eventually lead to overheating.

Overheating can permanently damage the coils leading to expensive replacements. Then again, you will be needing a professional in this case. But keep in mind that preventing such issues is as easy as simply wiping off the dirt and dust weekly.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting your air conditioner’s weak airflow is easy if you have the basic information and skills. The above-mentioned factors are most likely to be the reason in such cases and if the problem seems far more complicated, you will need to consult air conditioning companies Vienna. However, always make sure your air conditioner and everything related is regularly inspected and cleaned.