In order for your heating and cooling systems to remain efficient, air must be allowed to flow freely throughout your home. From time to time, HVAC and air duct obstructions can occur, which will reduce system efficiency and increase monthly utility bills.

Here are a few common obstruction problems that should be rectified right away:

• Leaks in the air ducts – Holes and tears in your home’s ductwork are rather common. Not only will this lower air flow, but the effects on your energy bill will be obvious if the problem gets out of hand.
• Dirty blower fan blades – When dirt builds up on the blades of the blower fan, its ability to move air into the HVAC system is greatly diminished.
• Stuck fire damper – It’s somewhat common for a fire damper to become stuck either partially or entirely closed. If this happens, air can’t flow properly.
• Loose insulation – Over time, insulation can loosen up a bit, preventing air from flowing quite as smoothly as it should.
• Air filter in the duct system – If your system’s air filter gets sucked into the ducts, you want to fix this right away. Airflow will be blocked, but the more important issue is the chance of fire if it gets into the blower assembly fan.
• Stuck zone damper – Like the fire damper, a zone damper that gets stuck partially or entirely closed can obstruct air flow.

How to Handle the Obstructions

In most cases, you can either clean the area that’s causing the problem or move the obstruction. This will quickly fix the issue and get your home’s air flowing freely again. However, if the problem is too severe or you simply don’t know how to rectify it, call upon the help of a professional HVAC technician to get everything back to normal.

For more expert advice on air duct obstructions, or if you have any other questions about home comfort, please contact the professionals at Bill Joplin’s Air Conditioning & Heating. We’ve been serving the needs of McKinney, Frisco, Allen and their surrounding areas for more than 30 years.