Acker Heating & Cooling

Your HVAC system allows for improved thermal comfort and energy efficiency by distributing hot or cold air reliably and evenly throughout your home. But there are times when this won’t be the case, and the main reason is poor airflow. What causes hampered airflow in your HVAC system, and how do you deal with it? The premier heating systems replacement and maintenance company, Acker Heating & Cooling, answers them here. 

Clogged Air Filters

This is probably the most common cause of poor HVAC airflow. The filters work to remove dust and other particles in the air and stop them from ending up inside the ducts and HVAC equipment. There’s just one issue: when overlooked, the debris can overload the filters and create blockages. This hampers the way conditioned air distributes throughout your home. Compromised HVAC airflow is already bad enough, but clogged filters can also lead to poor indoor air quality, leaving you and your family vulnerable several health risks.

• How To Fix This. The solution is easy enough that you won’t need to call your trusted local HVAC technician for help. Just change your air filters regularly, or if you have reusable ones, give them a thorough and periodic cleaning. Most residential and commercial HVAC experts recommend cleaning or replacing the air filters once a month. But if you live with pets or a family member who suffers from asthma or allergies, you might want to do it more often. Cleaner air filters make for better indoor air quality, but most importantly, they allow for smooth and continuous HVAC airflow.

Blocked Condenser Unit

Air conditioning systems have a condenser unit, which is usually located outside the home. To ensure reliable cooling performance from the AC, the condenser unit needs to have a clear space around it. This is more challenging than it should be. The condenser unit is susceptible to blockages caused by leaves, debris, and any plants and shrubs nearby, which hampers airflow. And when there’s not enough airflow to the air conditioning system, it might overheat. The same goes for condenser units placed in  mechanical rooms of a commercial building. Even if they’re indoors, the airflow may still be obstructed by storage items and other equipment.

• How to Fix This. There’s nothing to it — just keep tabs on the growth near the condenser unit. Any grasses should be trimmed and encroaching shrubs and plants should be cut back. There should be at least 24 inches of clear space on all sides of the condenser unit to promote proper airflow. These include the side of your home, walls, fences, and greenery. The same thing applies to the commercial HVAC condenser unit; make sure there are no other items placed too close to it to ensure proper airflow.

Obstructed Vents and Registers

Maybe you closed the vents on a cold day and forgot to open them again. Perhaps you unknowingly blocked the registers when you rearranged the furniture. Whatever the reason, this can lead to poor HVAC airflow, and you’ll notice that some particular rooms don’t receive as much cooling or heating as the others. 

• How to Fix This. All you need to do is check all vents in your home. If any of them are closed, just reopen them. And when the registers are blocked by furniture, you only have to push the latter out of the way. If these don’t work and the vents or registers still puff out only a small amount of air, the issues may be something more serious. You’ll need to consult a trusted heating and air conditioning company like Acker Heating & Cooling for this.

Congested or Leaking Ductwork

Even with air filters that serve as a barrier, dust and debris can still end up inside the ductwork, gradually building up until cold or warm air can’t run smoothly through the system. Clogged ducts can also compromise indoor air quality by sending dust and other particles to multiple areas in your home. Gaps and holes can also develop in the vulnerable areas of the ductwork, allowing cold or hot air to escape into places that don’t need conditioning, such as crawlspaces and the attic. Whether the ducts are clogged or leaky, the results will be the same: your HVAC system struggling to bring your home to the desired comfort level and using up more energy in the process.

• How to Fix This. The fact is you can’t, but a reliable air conditioning technician like Acker Heating & Cooling definitely can. There’s nothing wrong with taking a hands-free approach, and you’ll see why. Intensive duct cleaning is required to rid the blockage in the ductwork. The task is not only taxing, but also creates a mess inside your home when done incorrectly. A professional, however, will have the necessary know-how and experience, ensuring the work will be finished efficiently. The same is true for air duct sealing, which takes care of any leakages in the HVAC ductwork.

Oversized HVAC Unit

Bigger is not always better when it comes to your HVAC system. Your heating or air conditioning system must be sized correctly for your home. Otherwise, it will short cycle, a common problem where the HVAC system turns on or off repeatedly. The system won’t be able to complete a full cycle, and conditioned air won’t be distributed efficiently throughout your home. Thus, making its indoor environment stuffy and uncomfortable.

• How to Fix This. Repairs and maintenance won’t work for this problem. Ensure smooth and consistent airflow and prevent short cycling by replacing your HVAC system with a right-sized model. Acker Heating & Cooling can help you with this. We offer only the highest quality heating and air conditioning systems from the top brand, Bryant®. Talk to us about your needs. We’ll help you explore our options and decide on the Bryant HVAC system that will suit your home.

Schedule an HVAC Evaluation Today

Whether you need quality heating systems installation or professional air conditioning maintenance, Acker Heating & Cooling has you covered. Just turn to us if you notice poor airflow in your HVAC system. We’ll be on it with an excellent and effective solution. We proudly serve Colbert, GA, and other areas in Greater Athens. Request an HVAC quote by calling us today at (706) 425-8774 or filling out this contact form.