Furnaces in the Springfield, LA area usually follow the centralized forced-air model: heating the air via burners and a heat exchanger, then blowing it through the ducts to the various corners of your house. (The same ducts are used to carry cool air from your air conditioner in the summer.) The ducts are often hidden from sight, but they — and more specifically, the vents where the air emerges — can alert you to a potential problem with the system. For example, if the air flow from your vents drops down below the level you expect, it’s usually a sign of a more serious problem inside the system.
Why Is It a Problem?
Reduced air flow is problematic because it reduces the heater’s ability to warm your home. That means it has to spend greater amounts of fuel to do its job and raises your bills accordingly. It also means increased strain on other components in your system, increasing the chances of a breakdown. Worst of all, in many cases, it means the hot air is stuck in your furnace, which will either trigger an automatic shutdown, or cause components to overheat. Either way, it spells trouble.
What Causes It?
Low air flow has a number of potential causes, but they usually boil down to one of two things: either something is blocking the progress of the air (a clog in the filter, a dent in the ducts, a breach or the like), or the fan blowing the air into the vents is suffering from power problems (usually because of an issue with the fan motor, but sometimes because the fan belt or the fan blades themselves are damaged). Either way, you need to shut the system down and call in a repair service as soon as possible.
A Professional Heating and Air provides furnace repair services throughout the area!