5 Ways to Improve Bad Airflow

If your HVAC system is having airflow problems, you probably are well aware of it. Especially in the heat of Orlando’s summer, if your A/C is not reaching all parts of your house, you’re likely experiencing some of the following:

• Hot spots
• Stale air in certain rooms
• Your house isn’t cooling to the set temperature

Unfortunately, if the issue isn’t addressed, it can become even worse than physical discomfort. It can lead to your entire A/C unit needing to be replaced. To help you fix your airflow issue as well as avoid future damages, here’s 5 things you can check on your system.

1. Clean or Replace Congested Air Filters

Many people know you’re supposed to change your filter, but it’s much harder to actually remember to do it. A dirty filter is like a clogged pipe – air flow is cut off the more debris fills the filter. The simple solution is to just replace the filter. It’s inexpensive and most people do them on their own. If this is a chronic problem though, you can upgrade the filtration unit itself to guarantee better air flow AND better air quality.

2. Clear Out a Blocked Condenser Unit

This is one of the most common causes of bad A/C airflow. In simple terms, this means your air conditioning unit is surrounded by too much foliage or other debris. Bushes, storage, or other items can block up your unit’s ventilation, causing it to overheat. Make sure your unit has at least 2 feet of clearance in every direction to be safe. The more air it has to pull in, the more it will be able to cool the air it’s sending into your house.

3. Open Blocked Air Vents and Shut Doors

If you were the only one living in your house and working in your office, this would rarely be an issue. The reality is that in spaces with multiple occupants (and multiple temperature preferences), people close vents and doors to change the temperature in their space. This may help them get to their comfort zone, but it affects the rest of the house or office space. Central HVAC systems are designed to circulate air, not just pump it into each room. If you or others are in the habit of closing vents and doors, it will affect the air flow to the rest of the house. Even more, it will raise your energy bills as your system tries even harder to get air into the blocked areas.

4. Refrigerant Levels Are Too Low

If you’re not an HVAC expert, you likely don’t really know what refrigerant levels are. You might have heard of them, but testing and refilling them are probably not what you do for a living. We will cut right to the chase here and recommend you have a local HVAC expert come out and do an inspection. We recommend you ask for a tune-up from your local service provider. If you refrigerant levels get too low from leaking, your air conditioner will have circulation issues, blow warmer air, and higher energy costs. That’s why tune-ups generally pay for themselves in terms of both money and comfort in no time. If that’s what you need, we can help you out!

5. Your System Needs an Update

This is the last resort option for most people who are having HVAC problems, but it’s worth considering if you’ve been consistently frustrated with your current unit. Over time, your system will lose its efficiency in both cost and performance, and eventually, it will need to be replaced. If you’re not sure if your system needs a new update, feel free to give us a call or check out this article to see if your system needs fresh legs. We will do everything we can to help you avoid a full replacement unless keeping your unit (and continuously repairing it) will cost you more than the price of a new system. We will always do what is in your best interest!