Many homes in the Rocky River, OH area rely on forced-air furnaces to keep warm in the winter. They work by generated heat via a series of burners that warm the air through a heat exchanger, then blow the warmed air through your ducts with a fan. It’s a reliable and efficient system, but it can still run into trouble from time to time. Only a qualified repair technician can properly identify a problem with your heating system and make repairs, but certain common symptoms often crop up that will alert you to the problem. With forced-air furnaces, this includes a reduced flow of air through your ducts. Here’s a quick breakdown of why that happens and how it causes problems for your system.
The Causes
Reduced air flow tends to result from one of two general causes. Either something is blocking the flow of air or there’s a problem with the power source pushing the air forward. In the former case, the issue could lie in a clogged filter, a breach in the air ducts, or a dent or divot somewhere along the way. (If the reduced air flow is limited to one vent, the problem likely lies in the pertinent length of duct.) In the latter case, you’re likely looking at trouble with the fan motor, or perhaps an issue with the fan itself.
Why It’s a Problem
Reduced air flow means that the heater will have a much harder time warming your home, which raises monthly costs as well as elevating the chances of a breakdown elsewhere in the system. Furthermore, because reduced air flow often means that hot air is trapped in the furnace itself, it means a greater chance of a key component overheating and shutting your system down.
If you detect low air flow in your heating system, shut it off and call Westland Heating and Air immediately!
