Does it feel like your air conditioner isn’t cooling down your home as well as it used to? If it sounds like your air conditioner is working as it should, yet, it’s taking longer to cool the home (and your cooling bill is gradually rising), then you might have an airflow problem on your hands.
There are several potential causes of airflow problems in your AC. An expert in air conditioning in Fort Wayne, IN can pinpoint the cause for you, but we’ll do our best to give you an idea of what the issue could be.
Restricted Air Flow From a Dirty Filter
Dirty air filters are one of the simplest problems to fix it, and the only one that we’ll advise a homeowner to do on their own. The air filter fits behind the air handler and catches all the harmful particles in the air, including dust, dirt, pet dander, and more.
A clean filter will keep dirty air out of your AC, but if the filter isn’t changed regularly, it can make the problem worse. Not only will it fail to pull in contaminants, but it will also force the AC to work harder and longer to bring in clean air. This can lead to low airflow and many other potential problems.
Lost Air Through Duct Leaks
If you have a central air system, its biggest strength and biggest weakness is the duct system. When the ducts are in top condition, it’s highly effective at bringing cool air to every room in your home. When it’s anything less than that, though, it can lead to airflow problems.
Ducts with any kind of leaks or disconnects in them will break the tightly sealed passageway, resulting in lost energy (and lost money!).
If it has been a long time since your ducts have been checked, have them inspected just to be safe. If the ducts are made of flexible material, it’s possible they’ve developed tears or holes, either through pests or general wear-and-tear. If the ducts are made of metal, their sealants may have become loose over time.
Blocked Airflow From a Frozen Evaporator Coil
An air conditioner coil is a big metal box interweaved with copper tubes. Refrigerant flows through these tubes, helping to facilitate the heat transfer process necessary for cooling your home.
There are two coils in every refrigerant-based air conditioner, and the inside one—known as the evaporator coil—can freeze over. If this is the case with your AC, the ice will prevent cool air from flowing into your home. The first thing you’ll want to do is turn off the AC, call a repairman, and let the ice thaw while you wait.
One potential cause of a frozen evaporator coil is a refrigerant leak. These leaks can be recognized for hissing, gurgling, or bubbling up around the refrigerant lines. Leaks can also be extremely small and hard to see, so it’s best to call in for a professional opinion.
Contact Collier’s Comfort today. We’ll get to the bottom of your airflow problems and get your AC back in cooling condition. True Comfort, True Savings