When the summer heat hits, a well-functioning air conditioner can make all the difference. If your AC suddenly starts having airflow problems, here are some practical steps to get things back on track.
Check Your AC Filter
One of the best places to start is checking your air filter. You want to remove the filter from its housing and hold it up to a light. If you can’t see through the filter, it’s time for a replacement. Be sure you install a filter of the exact same size for maximum efficiency. Opt for replacing your air filter every two to three months to prevent dealing with low AC airflow issues in the future.
Examine Your Vents and Registers
Another great place to check is your vents and registers. If any of the vents are closed or obstructed with things like furniture or plants, it can restrict the flow of air in or out of them.
Additionally, if the vent is extremely dirty, that debris could also be minimizing the cool air coming out of it. Routinely cleaning your vents and always ensuring that you’re not putting anything in front of them will help you avoid this issue in the future.
Get a Ductwork Inspection
If you have a ducted air conditioning system, then the state of your ductwork will impact the airflow you’re receiving from your system. If there are major leaks in your ductwork, much of your cold air will escape into wall and floor crevices instead of making it to the rooms in your home.
Additionally, if there are any blockages in your ductwork, such as pest infestations or excessive debris, you may have minimal airflow. Having one of our professional technicians evaluate the state of ducting can help you identify if you have either of these issues.
Thaw Out Frozen Coils
When there’s a problem with the functioning of your air conditioning system and it’s not able to adequately cool your home, the refrigerant inside the coils can get extremely cold. This will eventually cause the coils to freeze over, and the ice buildup can restrict airflow coming out of your ducting. It’s important to shut your unit off and give it time for the ice to thaw out.
Before turning your unit back on, it’s vital to identify the source of the frozen coil problem. This could be something as simple as overly dirty coils that aren’t allowing heat to transfer in or out or a blocked condenser unit. In other cases, the cause may be more complex like a low refrigerant level that requires professional recharging. One of our technicians can help you determine the root cause of your frozen coils and remedy the situation promptly.
Check Your Blower Compartment
The blower compartment of your air conditioner has many different components, like the motor, fan belt, and fan that are all responsible for circulating air throughout your ductwork. If any of those components fail, it can result in little airflow coming from your ducting.
It can be helpful to listen for a grinding noise indicating a worn-out blower fan motor that simply isn’t powerful enough to circulate air efficiently. It can be helpful to have one of our service technicians do a thorough assessment of your AC’s blower compartment to identify the root cause of the issue and repair it quickly.
Seek Out Prompt Professional Assistance
If none of the troubleshooting solutions that we went over above apply to your situation, it’s best to seek out our professional repair assistance. You should shut off your air conditioning system until one of our technicians can do a thorough evaluation.
You don’t want to keep using your system, as it’s likely to incur more damage that’s ultimately more expensive to repair. We also recommend getting routine maintenance service in the early spring. This will allow our knowledgeable technicians to identify issues, like worn-out internal components so that we can repair them to minimize your risk of experiencing a problem in the summer.
Reliable AC Repair Service
Waterbury Heating & Cooling, Inc. offers reliable AC repair service for the Sioux Falls, SD area. We can also assist with all your air conditioner maintenance, installation, and replacement needs. Simply call us today to schedule your next service consultation. Be sure to ask us about our AC maintenance agreement!
