Getting weak airflow from the air conditioner in your Victorville, CA home is cause for concern. Many of the problems responsible for poor airflow subject air conditioners to extraordinary stress. If left unchecked, these problems could result in the need for major AC repairs or replacement. Fortunately, you might be able to troubleshoot weak airflow on your own. If you can’t, you can always count on Aace's Heating, Air Conditioning & Swamp Coolers for responsive service and fast, effective solutions.
Dirty Air Filters and AC Airflow
Weak airflow is often maintenance related. The first component to check is your HVAC air filter. Your air conditioner cools your home by drawing warm indoor air in and passing it over the cooling coils. All of the air that enters your air conditioner passes through the air filter. This filter sieves out airborne particulates so that they don’t find their way into the interior of your cooling equipment.
If your AC air filter has a thick, mat-like coating of debris, not much air can pass through it. The best way to determine whether your air conditioner is ready for a filter change is by taking this component out and holding it up to the overhead light. In theory, if light can still pass through a filter’s mesh, air can move through it as well. To avoid filter-related airflow issues going forward, inspect this component once each month, and replace it every 30 to 90 days as needed.
Blocked or Closed HVAC Air Vents
Another easy troubleshooting measure for low airflow is to check, open, and clear all HVAC air vents. It may be that one or more people in your household have closed the air vents in their immediate areas to direct cooled air away.
Vent closures place tremendous stress on your HVAC system by creating increased static pressure in your air ducts. With nowhere to go, unwanted air builds up in ducting and affects airflow throughout the entire cooling system. Keeping vents closed for extended periods or having multiple vent closures can also cause air conditioners to ice over, overheat, or shut down.
Make sure that all air vents throughout your home are either fully or partially open. To further optimize airflow, you can also schedule air balancing service. During air balancing, our technicians adjust HVAC air vents and duct dampers to prevent problems like weak airflow and uneven cooling.
Cleaning Dirty HVAC Air Vents
If you frequently forget to replace your air filter before it’s covered in heavy debris, some of this debris could break off and migrate to other areas. You might have buildups of the same lint-like material just behind your air vents. Much like dirty filters, these buildups inhibit airflow. You can wipe your air vent covers clean with a damp cloth. You can also unscrew your HVAC air vent covers and carefully vacuum behind them.
Builtup Debris Around the Outdoor Condenser
Refrigerant travels to your outdoor condenser unit as a hot, high-pressure gas. This is where refrigerant sheds its heat. If your AC condenser is blocked by overgrown foliage, airflow throughout your entire cooling system will decline. A blocked AC condenser can also result in warm or lukewarm air coming from your air vents and problems like overheating and short cycling.
This unit should always have at least 24 inches of clearance on all sides. If it’s blocked by fast-growing shrubs or grass, cut them back. You should also clear away all nearby leaves, twigs, and other windblown debris.
Dirty or Damaged HVAC Air Ducts
Dirty and damaged air ducts inhibit the movement of air. In areas where your ductwork is exposed, it might be perforated, crushed, or collapsed. Falling ladders and other heavy items can damage exposed air ducts. If you have unchecked pest problems, heavy rodents and other animals can loosen duct connections or create loose, sagging sections by running through them.
If there are no visible signs of damage in your home’s exposed ducting, we can test the airflow throughout your HVAC system. Professional airflow testing will reveal whether there are duct problems behind your drywall or in other hidden areas. You should have your HVAC air ducts professionally inspected and maintained once each year. It’s also a good idea to have these features professionally cleaned every two to four years.
Dirty AC Coils
Another maintenance-related issue that can affect AC airflow is dirty coils. Buildups of debris on evaporator and condenser coils impact both heat transfer and the movement of air. Coil-cleaning is a standard part of pre-season AC tune-up service. If you skipped annual AC maintenance, having your coils cleaned now could resolve the problem.
However, buildups of sticky, light-brown bubbles on your evaporator coil might indicate a refrigerant leak. Commonly referred to as “champagne bubbles” due to their light-brown color, these buildups are collected refrigerant. You should never touch or attempt to clean “champagne bubbles” on your own. AC refrigerant should only be handled by licensed HVAC companies.
Leaking AC Refrigerant
“Champagne bubbles” on your evaporator coil, pooling refrigerant in other areas, weak airflow, and increasingly warm air coming from your HVAC air vents are all signs of a refrigerant leak. If you suspect a refrigerant leak, turn your air conditioner off, and schedule service right away.
AC compressors are highly pressurized. They pump AC refrigerant throughout cooling systems by alternately pressurizing and depressurizing it. With refrigerant leaks, these actions expedite coolant loss. Continued coolant loss places progressive stress on AC compressors and could cause them to collapse or fail.
Thermostat Issues
Your problems with weak airflow could be the result of a simple thermostat issue. Incorrect thermostat settings can lead to longer and less effective cooling cycles or short and unproductive ones. There’s also a possibility that your thermostat is in the wrong location. When thermostats are too near heat-generating appliances or installed in naturally cold and drafty spaces, they cannot read indoor temperatures accurately. During annual AC maintenance, we test and calibrate thermostats. As needed, we also optimize their locations.
Blower Motor and Blower Fan Problems
Blower motors operate the blower fans that move air throughout HVAC systems. Problems like worn belts, loose bearings, and insufficient lubrication can all cause airflow problems. Your air conditioner’s blower fan could have a bent or broken blade. It might also have the wrong fan speed setting. By scheduling a timely AC repair, you can keep minor blower problems from escalating.
AC Capacitor Failure
All central air conditioners have one or more capacitors. Some have run and start capacitors and others have dual capacitors that handle both run and start functions. Although your air conditioner is hardwired into your home’s electrical system, your electrical panel cannot provide enough electricity at once to power all AC operations. AC capacitors harness and store electricity so that air conditioners have enough power for start up and enough power to both initiate and complete cooling cycles.
When AC capacitors fail or malfunction, blower motors don’t get enough power to run at full speed. Although your air conditioner could last for two decades or more, many AC capacitors last just five to 10 years. If you have separate run and start capacitors, our technician can swap them both out for a dual capacitor when correcting the problem. This will leave you with fewer components to maintain or replace and a much lower likelihood of future capacitor issues.
We’re proud to serve Victorville, CA with outstanding air conditioning, heating, and indoor air quality services. We also offer whole-house fans, swamp coolers, and HVAC preventative maintenance plans. If you’re having problems with poor AC airflow, contact Aace's Heating, Air Conditioning & Swamp Coolers today to schedule an appointment.
