Forced air systems are one of the most common forms of home heating. Heat pumps and furnaces both use ductwork to circulate heated air and vents to distribute the warmth around the home. One of the most critical components of a forced air systems is the fan. Multiple fans are used throughout the system for different functions. Fans are needed to send the heated air around the ducts. In furnace systems, a fan is needed for heat transference, while heat pumps have fans in both the outdoor and indoor units for heat exchange to move air past the coils. Since fans play such a vital role in heating your home, it is important that they are in a good state of repair. A malfunction can have a massive impact on your system, and here we will explore the types of problems you can expect if you have a faulty fan.
Poor Airflow:
If a fault develops in the blower fans that are responsible for sending the heated or conditioned air into the ducts, you are likely to experience a reduction in airflow. This poor airflow will reduce the heating effectiveness, making it difficult to adequately heat the rooms. As this problem develops, it will result in no heat coming out of the vents when the fan completely fails. If you have noticed that your system seems to be emitting less warmed air, it is worth having your blower fans checked as soon as possible.
No Heat Exchange:
In heat pump systems the fan inside both the outdoor and indoor unit is important for heat exchange. The process of heat exchange requires that heat from outside is absorbed and released inside. If the fan in either unit fails, regardless of whether the compressors are operating correctly and there is the correct amount of refrigerant in the heat pump, the system will be unable to absorb heat through the evaporator coil or release it from the condenser coil. This will result in no heating power and a cold home.
Clanging Noises:
The blades on a fan can be damaged if debris enters the heating cabinet. In this scenario, the blade may strike the casing, which will cause clanging noises from the heater. This is not only unpleasant to listen to when you are trying to relax inside your home, but it can also have detrimental effects on the other cabinet components. If your heating system has started to make clanging noises, it needs professional attention as soon as possible to prevent further damage and a serious breakdown problem.
While any component malfunction in your heating system requires repair, a faulty fan is likely to cause issues that are immediately noticeable. Although this may seem like a major problem, it can actually be beneficial, since it will gain your attention quickly and provide the opportunity for prompt repair. Unlike some heating problems that can occur without causing apparent signs and allow a larger malfunction to develop. If you have a fan malfunction, you should be able to determine there is a problem and have it checked by your HVAC professional.