Here in Cedar Falls, IA, many homes still rely on forced-air furnaces for heat. They’re reliable systems and they can provide quality comfort levels at minimal cost. But like all appliances, they run into trouble from time to time, and you need to be able to spot the problems when they do. In particular, it’s important to know when the air flowing through your system is lower than normal, for it can create a serious issues for your entire system. Here’s a quick breakdown of why low air flow is a problem for your heater.
Causes of Low Air Flow
Low air flow can be caused by one of two basic things. Either the fan that blows the air into your ducts isn’t getting enough power or there’s something in the passages blocking the flow of air. In the first case a problem with the fan motor is often the culprit, though electrical wiring or connections sometimes causes problems. The fan itself may also be bent out of alignment. A blockage often occurs in the ducts themselves, though it can also occur if a filter is damaged or hasn’t been cleaned in a while.
Problems It Creates
The biggest issue created by low air flow is reduced efficiency from the heater. If the air isn’t flowing your house won’t heat up as quickly and your heater will spend more energy to do the same job. That means higher strain and increased monthly heating bills. Worst of all, low air flow often means that hot air is trapped in your furnace, which can cost other components to overheat, resulting in a shutdown. If you detect low air flow in your system, turn it off and call in a professional right away!
Trust Dalton PHC to fix low air flow problems in your furnace!