When winter hits our area, you can bet homeowners are going to be pretty grateful for a fully functional and efficient Denver heating system. But what if that system isn’t working up to par? What if you have a heat pump and you noticed this season that it had low airflow? Don’t just expect the problem to go away when you switch it to heating mode! Or if you’re already using your furnace and have noticed this issue, don’t wait to get it repaired.
Low airflow problems can be red flags for bigger issues that can cause a catastrophic system breakdown, and let’s face it—that’s the last thing you need as the temperatures cool. Below are a few causes of low airflow to be aware of, and what you can do about it.
Have you checked your furnace or heat pump air filter? Before calling our techs for heating repairs, be sure to look here. Replacing a clogged up air filter can make a world of difference for your HVAC system.
Maybe people believe the air filter is just to protect your indoor air quality, but actually, without a clean air filter your unit’s airflow will be blocked. Also, this will cause your heater to work harder than it should have to. Low airflow can create accumulative problems, so it’s best to stick to a schedule of replacing yours every 1-3 months during periods of HVAC use.
Have you ever witnessed this with your heat pump? When the evaporator coil gets too cold, the condensation formed on it will begin to freeze. While this might appear to be a good sign that the system is working, especially if it’s in cooling mode, it is definitely not. All that ice stuck to the coil restricts airflow, causing similar problems as a clogged up air filter.
In fact, in many cases, a frozen coil is caused by a dirty filter. If the filter is restricting airflow to the coil, then the cold air will continue to drop in temperature until it freezes. At other times, the problem could be due to leaking refrigerant. You’ll want to have a professional inspect the entire system if this problem occurs.
The air ducts of your heat pump or furnace are what’s responsible for transporting hold air throughout your home (and cold air, in the summer). If they’re not in good shape, you could definitely feel low airflow.
Common air duct issues involve leaks caused by breaches or loose joints. The problem could be obvious, but in other cases it maybe small tears or even pinholes letting conditioned air escape through your ducts. Ductwork problems require professional inspection, so we can pinpoint exactly what the problem is.
It’s also entirely possible that your ductwork will show no signs of damage, but is still causing low airflow. This can be due to the fact that it is incorrectly sized for your HVAC system and your home, or that it has too many bends and turns to efficiently transfer air. A qualified HVAC professional will be able to reconfigure your air ducts to transfer air more effectively.
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