Now that the heating season has finally arrived, you may have found yourself with a furnace that does not seem to work as well as it did last year. If you are noticing a poor heat flow through the house, then it may be time for HVAC repair. If you want to know what a professional may do to fix the issue, keep reading. 

Investigate Ductwork

One of the more common causes of a poor flow of heat through your home is a leak in your ductwork. If you have not had your ducts inspected in some time, then it is wise to have them checked over. In some cases, a settling house can pull the ducts away from one another at the seams. Also, mastic may become brittle over time, and the aluminum metal may deteriorate. If you have had any repairs made to the home, then a puncture may also be an issue due to a poorly placed hammer or screwdriver.

Ductwork is examined visually for signs of large openings. If none are found, then the heating system is turned on, and the various channels are felt for leaking air. Also, smaller openings can be located by viewing light through the ducts. 

A final inspection of the internal duct sections may be required using an HVAC inspection camera. This is a small fiber-optic camera with a long cord that attaches to a video screen. As the camera is moved down through the ductwork, the HVAC professional looks for large accumulations of debris or other types of blockages that may be causing an airflow issue. Special attention may be paid to joints of transition areas that feed into rooms with the lowest airflow.

Test The Blower

If you are experiencing a more widespread heating issue where all rooms are receiving low airflow, then the blower on your heating unit will be inspected. This involves the testing of the fan to make sure that blades are functioning and moving as they should. Sometimes, the accumulation of dust during the spring and summer seasons can cause a blockage in the airflow. Obstructions and general wear and tear on the motor may be an issue too.

During the inspection, the furnace is turned on and the fan is examined to make sure it activates as soon as it should. If there is a delay or if the fan is not moving at full speed, then a replacement or repair will be considered.

Keep in mind that other parts of the heating system may also need to be inspected if the airflow is a concern. This may be a sign that an older unit needs to be replaced and your HVAC professional can inform you of this. 

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