Let’s say that, on one chilly winter afternoon, you turn on your furnace. But then, the worst thing happens. The air that’s coming out of the vents isn’t hot! Or worse, there’s no air at all!
There are few furnace issues more annoying than that which renders your furnace useless. But don’t worry—airflow problems are usually far from being catastrophic. In this post, we’ll go over what causes air flow issues and what you can do about them.
What Causes Airflow Problems?
Actually, many things can cause airflow problems. This is kind of a good thing though because many of those problems can be fixed with just a quick maintenance check.
- Dirty Air Filter: The air filter is designed to keep dirt and dust out of the furnace. It will inevitably become clogged with dirt—at which point it needs to be replaced. Neglecting to change it will restrict airflow through the furnace, as well as through the air vents.
- Thermostat Trouble: The thermostat controls everything that the furnace does. If the thermostat is broken, you can expect it to have an effect on airflow. In other cases, it could be that the thermostat is set to fan mode, which would just blow air around.
- Bad Pilot Light/Igniter: Furnaces use either a pilot light or igniter to begin the fuel combustion process. If these components have gone bad, then you won’t be getting any warm air.
- Blown Fan Motor: After the warm air is created, it needs to be blown into the ducts with a fan. If this fan isn’t working, all that hot air will get trapped.
Airflow Problems Need to Be Fixed Immediately
If your furnace has low or no airflow, it’s more than just a minor inconvenience. Some airflow problems can cause more damage to your system over time. At the least, they’ll usually cause your heating bill to rise.
- Overheating: In cases where heat is created but unable to flow—such as with clogged air filters or blown fan motors—you could be looking at a recipe for an overheating disaster. Luckily, the limit switch should turn off the furnace in this case, but it’s not always guaranteed. Overheating can eventually lead to disasters like carbon monoxide leaks.
- Reduced Efficiency: In your furnace’s quest to satisfy the temperature set on your thermostat, airflow issues will present a giant roadblock. Your furnace will work tirelessly to heat the home despite the disadvantage, and that usually manifests as a big increase in your heating bill.
Steps to Take to Fix It
If your furnace is overheating, the first things you’ll want to do is change the air filter and double-check the thermostat’s programming. If that’s not helping, then you’ll need to call in for some repairs from an HVAC contractor in Clifton, NJ.
After the problem is fixed, we suggest scheduling some maintenance checks 6 months to 1 year down the line. Maintenance can prevent countless furnace issues from occurring, including those that create airflow issues.
We can fix your furnace problems. Contact MarGo Plumbing Heating Cooling Inc. today to schedule a service!