Causes of Low Air Flow in Your Furnace
Furnaces are “forced-air” systems: they distribute the heat created in the furnace’s cabinet through ductwork using an air handler. Your furnace’s burners, gas jets, heating elements, and heat exchangers can work perfectly—but without proper airflow, the heat they generate will not reach you. When you discover low airflow coming from your house’s vents, it points toward a possibly serious problem with the furnace.
There are a number of potential causes for a drop in furnace airflow. The list below will give you some diagnostic help discovering what may be causing the problem.
3 Possible Causes of Reduced Airflow From a Furnace
- Clogged air filter: The air filter installed in the furnace’s intake prevents debris from entering the cabinet. It needs to be changed once a month during the height of the heating season, or else the filter will become clogged with dust and dirt and begin to choke off the airflow into the furnace. (A clogged filter can cause other trouble as well, so make sure you have it changed on schedule.)
- Breaks in the ductwork: The sealed ductwork maintains the pressure of the air as it travels from the furnace to the vents. If breaks or gaps appear in the ducts, they will cause the air to escape and air pressure to drop. This will also allow an infiltration of dust into the ducts and a loss of heat. If you notice a musty odor along with the reduced airflow, then duct breaks are a probable cause. You will need professional duct repair and sealing.
- Broken air handler: The air handler of the furnace contains the blower and motors that send the air through the furnace for heat exchange and then into the ventilation system. Damaged or broken motors, bent fan blades, cracked fan belts, and electrical faults can all contribute to an air handler than can’t work at its regular level. The components will need repairs, or the whole air handler may require replacement.
Furnaces Need Professional Repairs
Changing the air filter is something you can take care of on your own, but for any other issues with airflow, you should call professionals to look into the problem and find the best way to remedy it. If changing the filter doesn’t restore your airflow, get on the phone and call Goettl for excellent heating repair.
