What’s Causing My Cooling System’s Low Airflow?

May 16, 2025

We probably don’t have to tell you that our cooling season begins a lot earlier than in other parts of the country. We’d be surprised if you told us you weren’t already using your air conditioner daily. This makes now the perfect time to check for any problems that your cooling system may have—any indicators that your AC may be operating inefficiently or ineffectively.

If you do notice something amiss, then the best thing you can do is to shut off your air conditioner and give our professionals a call to schedule professional San Antonio, TX air conditioning services.

Low Airflow: A Common Cooling System Problem

One of the most common AC problems we get calls for—especially in a system that is not regularly maintained—is a reduction in airflow coming out of the vents. The reason this is such a problem is because it reduces the effectiveness and efficiency of the system—forcing it to work harder than it should have to to do its job.

Over a year, the costs of running an air conditioner with low airflow will rise, and the chances of a serious breakdown will rise right along with it. Noticing low airflow from your vents is one of the most straightforward ways to identify a problem before it becomes a huge emergency—contact our professionals today should you notice this issue.

But, What Causes Low Airflow?

The exact cause of your reduced airflow will need to be determined by a trained HVAC professional, but the answer you can expect may include one or more of the following:

  • Faulty indoor blower motor.
  • Frozen evaporator coil due to malfunction.
  • The fan speed is too low.
  • Dirty coils (most often caused by the air filter not being changed often enough).
  • Debris, obstruction, or closed damper in your ductwork.
  • Loose and/or worn fan belt.

There are two general sources for low airflow: something is blocking the flow of air, or something is reducing the power that’s doing the blowing. If something’s blocking the airflow, then it could be ductwork damage, like crimps or leaks. Or, it could be a clogged air filter—a simple issue to resolve. If you notice that the problem only seems to be impacting one or two vents instead of the whole home, it’s likely an air duct problem and not an issue with the system itself.

If something is reducing the power that’s doing the blowing, then it’s likely that the problem is fan-based. It may be an issue with the fan belt, fan motor, or even the fan blades themselves—they might have been jarred or they are bent. Whatever the case, this would cause insufficient power to blow the cooled air throughout your air ducts, cutting down on the efficiency and raising the strain on the rest of the system. Until this problem is addressed, your AC system will run a higher chance of a breakdown.

For expert air conditioning services in the San Antonio area, reach out to [company_name] today!

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Getting your AC ready for summer

Over the winter, your air conditioning system likely sat idle while you ran your heating system. But now that the weather is starting to warm up, you’re probably switching over to your air conditioning system. Before you just crank on your AC, there are a few things...

Energy Saving AC Tips

We all want to stay comfortable in our homes but we don’t want to have to pay an arm and a leg to do so. Energy efficiency is a priority for homeowners these days as the price of energy seems to be climbing every year. At [company_name], we have over 25 years of...

Common AC Problems

All the use that your air conditioning system gets during the hot summer months here in Texas can take its toll. Air conditioning problems are very common and because of how critical your AC is to your home they can be incredibly frustrating and inconvenient. The San...

How An Air Conditioner Works

Having a basic grasp of the major part of your air conditioning system is a great way for homeowners to be able to discover any problems that could be arising with their AC. At [company_name], we offer fast and reliable San Antonio, TX air conditioning repair and...

We Can Help You Save on Your Energy Bills

San Antonio summers can be brutally hot, but that doesn’t mean your family or your wallet should be feeling the heat. At [company_name], we ensure that your air conditioning unit is running at its peak performance. Our certified technicians offer 24/7 emergency...

What is mini split air conditioning?

Mini-split air conditioning systems, also called ductless mini-split air conditioners, have been around for a very long time. However, they have recently started to gain more popularity with homeowners because of the tremendous benefits that they can have. If you’re...

Replacing Your Air Conditioning System

There are a lot of expenses that come along with owning a home, and it is not always a great time to undertake a project such as an air conditioning replacement. Unfortunately, even the best air conditioners cannot last forever, and quality air conditioning in San...