When Your Air Conditioner Won't Work

Furnace Airflow Problems? What's To Blame

18 November 2019 by Clara Fernandez

A frustrating, yet common, furnace problem some homeowners face is an airflow issue. With this type of problem, the furnace is functioning and producing warm air, but the warmed air is not making its way to you. There are a variety of issues that can lead to this sort of issue; here are some of them. 

Dirty Air Filter

The air filter in your furnace might not need to be replaced as often as the filter in your air conditioning unit, but it should be changed regularly, nonetheless. Furnace filters come in varying degrees of thickness, and the thicker the filter, the less often it must be replaced. 

However, on average, a filter should be replaced at least once a year. When a homeowner doesn't change the filter regularly, a buildup of dirt and other debris covers the filter. As a result, when the warmed air tries to pass through the filter into the ducts, much of it will be blocked. 

Malfunctioning Thermostat

It's important to understand that while a furnace and thermostat are two separate fixtures they don't technically work independently. For this reason, an issue with your thermostat could lead to an airflow issue with your furnace. If a thermostat is failing or has low batteries, it might not read the air temperature in your home accurately. 

Instead, it will send a signal that the desired temperature has been reached, which will cause the furnace to shut down. A simple check up on the batteries of the thermostat or a replacement of an older unit will resolve the issue without the need for any repairs to the furnace. 

Dirty Blower Fan

All furnaces have a mechanism known as a blower fan. A blower fan is designed to force warmed air from your furnace into the ducts so that it can be dispersed throughout your home. The greater the power of the blower fan, the greater the rate at which warm air is forced out. 

Over the years, blower fans collect a hefty layer of lint and dust. As the buildup increases, it starts to slow down the rate at which the fan can rotate, and as a result, reduces airflow from the furnace. Cleaning the fan will eliminate this issue. 

A heating ]tune-up services is an excellent way to combat each of these issues and make an airflow problem a thing of the past. If you have not scheduled a tune-up service for your furnace, now is a great time to do so. 

Share

Search