No Air Blowing From Your AC Vents? Here’s Why

There is nothing worse than sitting in an oppressive climate with stagnant air and warm temperatures. Fortunately, there are simple reasons for air to not blow from AC vents. Once you troubleshoot the problem, you can always fix them on your own or have an experienced Bay Area HVAC technician do it for you.

1. Power troubles

This is the most common reason for no air to be blowing from the AC vents. The best part is that this issue can be solved at little or no cost. Most people crank up their air conditioner when unbearably humid or hot weather hits (mainly the latter for us in the Bay Area). This places great strain on the power grid resulting in power outages. The timed settings on your thermostat may have been reset. Make sure the circuit breakers are not tripped either.

2. Thermostat problems

You should make sure the thermostat settings are as you want. It can be tricky programming certain digital thermostats. Its highly possible the thermostat batteries are drained or it is faulty. This could result in your air conditioner not blowing.

3. Clogged air filters

Many houseowners fail to change the air filters regularly. Air filters are an important component of the air conditioning system. This could be one of the reasons that air is not blowing. It is the job of an air filter to remove dust and contaminants from supply air before it gets trapped in the ducts. Clogged air filter can also cause the condenser coils to freeze.

4. Ensure the registers and vents are not blocked

People are not too mindful of the registers and vents while moving furniture. Airflow will be blocked if you place the couch in front of the register or vent.

5. Condenser unit is dirty

It is possible the AC is not blowing because the condenser unit is dirty. Soot, debris, dirt, twigs, tree branches, and leaves can easily clog the condenser unit. Condenser environs need to be clean or else it could result in the system overheating. You should not undertake cleaning of the condenser unit since it contains hazardous chemicals and is powered by high voltage electricity. Get an HVAC professional to do it for you.

6. Issues with the ductwork

AC not working could also be the problem of a system that is not designed correctly or installed properly. Airflow is reduced when there are too many turns or bends in the ductwork. It is also possible that you did not redesign the ductwork after rearranging the interior space of your house.

7. Oversized system

There are several issues with getting an air conditioner that is too large for your needs. Oversized systems can cause similar airflow issues as undersized systems. Too powerful air conditioning systems tend to cycle on and off more often. Stuff air may make it feel like air is not blowing from the vents.

8. Duct leaks and blockages

Air will not make it to where it is needed the most if the ductwork is losing air through cracks and holes. Ducts often get riddled by holes because of rodents and other pests. The ductwork may also get clogged by insects, small critters, and birds resulting in blocked airflow.