Air Conditioner Not Blowing Air Very Hard? A Phoenix Tech Explains Why.

Is your air conditioner blowing air out weakly? We’re sure it’s affecting your comfort—big time. So what’s the deal?

Typical causes of weak airflow include:

Let’s go into each problem in more detail and discuss how to fix them.

Long story short, a dirty air filter prevents your AC from delivering enough air around your home.

Solution: Change the air filter if it’s dirty.

Find the filter either behind your return grates (the metal slots in the ceiling where air gets sucked in) or in a slot before the furnace/air handler unit.

Learn more: Has Your Air Conditioner’s Air Filter Betrayed You?

Your AC cools the air by blowing it over the evaporator coil. However, if the coil gets too cold, the condensation on it will freeze, turning the coil into a big block of ice.

That ice limits the flow of air into your home.

You will know if the evaporator coil is frozen if the refrigerant line outside is also covered in ice.

Causes of a frozen evaporator coil include:

• Low airflow over the coil caused by a dirty filter, blocked return/supply vents, and a malfunctioning blower.
• Refrigerant undercharge caused by a refrigerant leak.

Solutions:

1. Turn off the unit so that it has a chance to thaw the ice build-up.
2. Change the filter (if you haven’t already).
3. Open and unblock any supply vents and return grates (the metal slots that blow and suck in air respectively).
4. Call an AC tech to check your refrigerant level, evaporator coil and blower.

Learn more: Why Is My Air Conditioner’s Refrigerant Line Covered in Ice?

Like your blood vessels carry blood around your body, your air ducts carry air around your home.

So any issues with the ducts can limit the delivery of air around your home.

Possible air duct issue that can cause weak airflow include:

• Leaky supply-side air ducts
• Loose or disconnected ductwork
• Flex duct has kinks or bends

Solution: Check your flex duct (if you have any) for any kinks or bends. Otherwise, you will need to contact an AC tech to examine your air ducts for issues.

While your air ducts carry the air, your blower is the part that’s forcefully moving air around your home.

Some blower issues can lead to weak airflow, including:

• Dirty blower wheel
• Loose, worn fan belt (do you hear a squeaking noise?)
• Faulty/malfunctioning blower motor

Solution: Contact an AC tech to examine and fix the blower.