When Your Air Conditioner Won't Work

3 Causes Of Weak Airflow In Split Air Conditioning Systems

27 July 2022 by Clara Fernandez

Modern technology and manufacturing techniques have made split air conditioning systems extremely reliable, but they can still suffer from problems from time to time. If your home's split system is not functioning as it should, you may notice that the flow of cooled air from the indoor blower unit(s) has become weak and feeble.

Problems with weak airflow can seriously undermine your split system's ability to cool your home and should be rectified as soon as possible. Here are three potential causes of weak airflow in split air conditioning systems:

Dirty Air Filters

Each indoor unit connected to your split air conditioning system is fitted with at least one filter. These filters capture and contain dust and debris as air is sucked into the unit, protecting the unit's inner workings.

Over time, collected debris can clog these filters, reducing air intake and subsequently weakening the airflow coming out of the affected unit. Filters must therefore be cleaned on a regular basis.

It is generally fairly easy to remove and clean air filters yourself, using dedicated filter cleaning chemicals or a basic mild detergent. Check the manufacturer's instructions if you are having trouble locating or removing the air filter(s), or have a professional residential air conditioning repair service clean the filters for you.

Fan Motor Problems

A split system's indoor unit(s) generate airflow using blower fans, which are driven by electric motors. If a fan motor is suffering from mechanical issues or is burning out due to overuse, it may slow down and cause weak airflow problems. 

It is difficult to predict when fan motors will burn out, but their lifespan can be shortened by frequent overuse. Dirty air filters can force fan motors to work at full power for long periods, making burnout more likely. This is another reason why cleaning the filters regularly is essential. 

Fan motors can also be damaged by water accumulation inside the unit. Moisture inside the unit may be caused by a dirty evaporator coil or a blocked condensate line that prevents condensation from draining away from the unit. 

Damaged fan motors will need to be repaired or replaced by a professional residential air conditioning repair service. If the motor has been damaged by excessive moisture, repair services can also clean dirty evaporator coils and unclog blocked condensate lines.

Fan Motor Speed Controller Issues

If your split system is fitted with a two-stage or variable speed fan motor, it will also contain a separate device that controls the speed of the fan(s). These speed controllers modify fan speed by regulating the flow of electricity to the fan motor. If a speed controller is damaged or malfunctioning, it may keep the fan motor 'locked in' to the slowest speed setting, causing persistently weak airflow.

As electronic devices, fan motor speed controllers can also be damaged by exposure to excess moisture. They may also wear out more quickly if the temperature in your home fluctuates significantly, forcing them to work harder. Faulty speed controllers must be professionally rewired or replaced.

Contact a company like Mid Atlantic Mechanical and Repair, LLC to learn more. 

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