When air barely comes out of your vents, it usually points to a airflow restriction or a leak somewhere in your HVAC system. Before calling for help, you can quickly troubleshoot the issue by checking for a clogged filter, closed registers, or disconnected ductwork.
If no air is coming out of your vents, immediately turn your HVAC system off to prevent severe damage. Then, check for a clogged air filter, tripped circuit breaker, or ice on the refrigerant lines.
It's also a good idea to check your air vent cover and registers. Ensure that all vents and registers throughout your home are open and unobstructed. Sometimes furniture or objects can accidentally block the airflow. Make sure there are no curtains, rugs, or other items impeding the airflow from the vents.
If your HVAC system isn't blowing warm air, start by checking the thermostat settings and batteries; more complex issues like faulty wiring or ignition system problems may necessitate professional assistance. Airflow restriction due to clogged air filters can result in your system blowing cold air.
Make sure your vents are uncovered/unblocked
So, make sure each vent – both supply (which push the desired warm/cold air into the room) and returns (which pull old air into the HVAC system to be warmed/cooled) – in your home is unobstructed and able to fully circulate air.
Check for blocked air ducts by testing the airflow at each vent while the HVAC system is running. Look for inconsistent room temperatures, excessive dust accumulation, whistling noises, or a sudden spike in energy bills.
Resetting a blower motor typically involves cycling the power, checking for tripped thermal switches, or adjusting your thermostat. These methods apply to residential HVAC systems, though the exact steps vary depending on whether you are working on a furnace, an AC unit, or a car's blower motor.
Your first indication that you need furnace repair might be:
Typically, a furnace should cycle 3 to 8 times per hour, running for about 10 to 15 minutes each time. If it's cycling more frequently (short cycling) or running for 20+ minutes straight regularly, something's not right.
To check the air vents in your house, turn on your HVAC system, walk to each vent, and feel for strong, even airflow. Check for blockages like dust or furniture, identify whether it is a supply or return vent, and visually inspect for mold or leaks.
Signs of poor home ventilation include persistent window condensation, lingering cooking or musty odors, visible mold in damp areas, and unusually stuffy air. It can also trigger health issues like headaches and worsened allergies. Ignoring these warning signs can lead to structural damage and poor indoor air quality.
Low airflow in your HVAC system forces components to work harder, dramatically reducing efficiency and causing discomfort. Common symptoms include weak or no air coming from vents, uneven room temperatures, a frozen evaporator coil, and whistling noises or self-closing doors caused by imbalanced air pressure.
How to Clean Your Air Ducts
Common Symptoms of a Clogged Drain Vent Pipe
To quickly determine if your air conditioner is broken, check for these red flags: warm air from the vents, weak airflow, unusual sounds (grinding or squealing), or the unit turning on and off too frequently.
A standard residential supply vent should deliver between 50 to 100 Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) of air, which translates to a comfortable, steady stream that you can feel about 3 to 5 feet away. Overall, your system should move roughly 400 CFM per ton of cooling capacity.
No, 68°F is not generally considered cold for a house in winter. In fact, experts at the U.S. Department of Energy recommend 68°F as the ideal, energy-efficient temperature for the winter months while you are awake.
Known for his practical tips, Lewis introduced the '4pm rule' which involves using curtains strategically to retain heat. He suggests opening curtains when the sun rises at around 8:30am to let in natural warmth, and closing them by 4pm to keep the heat inside.
How to Stay Warm if Your Furnace Breaks
How can you tell if a thermostat is bad?
You know it is time to replace your furnace when it is over 15 to 20 years old, requires increasingly expensive repairs, or struggles to maintain consistent heating. Waiting for a total, freezing-weather breakdown leaves you with higher costs and limited options, so being proactive is crucial.
The heat exchanger is often considered the most costly part of a furnace to repair or replace. It is a critical component that transfers heat from the combustion process to the air that circulates throughout your home. Over time, heat exchangers can crack due to the constant heating and cooling cycles they undergo.
If it doesn't start at all, you can press the button one more time. But, if you press the reset button and your furnace goes on and turns off again, don't press the button again. Continuing to press the reset button can damage your system. Doing so will pump more oil into the furnace and worsen any existing issues.
A bad furnace blower motor usually causes weak airflow, strange noises (screaking or grinding), overheating, or completely failing to turn on. The quickest way to check if it's dead is to inspect if the fan wheel spins freely by hand or if it has seized.
The furnace reset button is typically a small, prominent red or yellow button located inside the furnace cabinet, usually on the side of the blower motor housing or near the burner assembly.