15 Common HVAC Problems You Can Avoid With Regular Maintenance
Summary
Your home’s furnace and air conditioner are crucial components. Your health may suffer as a result of furnace or air conditioner problems, which can also make your house uncomfortable.
HVAC systems require routine upkeep.
In this post, we’ll look at a few routine maintenance tasks that can help you stay ahead of frequent HVAC issues. These might be as straightforward as routinely replacing the air filter or having an hvac repair specialist do plan maintenance.
Here are the common HVAC problems you can avoid with regular maintenance.
Table of Contents
- Dirty filters
- Dirty coils
- Refrigerant leaks
- Duct leaks and dirty ductwork
- Clogged drain pipes and water leaks
- Pilot or ignition problems
- Thermostat issues
- Tripping circuit breakers
- The blower motor running excessively
Let’s look at each of these probable HVAC issues and the potential fixes.
Dirty filters
One of the most frequent problems influencing the functioning of home HVAC systems is a filthy air filter. Fortunately, one of the simplest issues to solve is a dirty filter. You should regularly replace your air filter. Depending on the local air quality and whether you have pets, you might occasionally need to replace a clogged filter every month.
Which type of air filter ought to be used? There are several grades, so check the filter for the MERV rating. The better the air filter, the higher the number.
Dirty coils
Your HVAC system’s evaporator coil for the heat pump or air conditioner is a crucial part. Your units’ efficiency will be significantly reduced if their coils are unclean.
On an outdoor device, such as a heat pump, a filthy evaporator coil may easily be hosed off, but coils on an inside unit, such as an air conditioner, should be cleaned by a qualified service expert.
leaked refrigerant
Your HVAC system’s air conditioning runs on substances referred to as refrigerants. Since low refrigerant levels may cause your air conditioner to malfunction, refrigerant leaks are a frequent cause of repair calls.
Many different causes can lead to a refrigerant leak. Leaks can be brought on by corrosion in the system’s coils, loose couplings, and holes in the refrigerant pipelines. Having frequent inspections done on your HVAC equipment is the best method to stop leaks. To prevent unneeded service visits, a skilled service technician will carry out the mandatory checks and cleaning.
Leaky ducts and filthy ductwork
It’s common to ignore the ducts that distribute warm or cool air throughout your house as a potential source of problems. However, your furnace and air conditioner will have to work more to cool and heat your house if air escapes from your ducting.
Having your ducts and registers cleaned and examined on a regular basis is a smart idea. As often as once a year may be suitable if you have pets or live in a dusty environment. You’ll also save money on energy expenditures and enjoy a cleaner, healthier house.
leaks and clogged drain pipes
Have you ever seen water puddles close to your HVAC equipment? Condensate is a result of each HVAC system’s heating and cooling of the air in your home, which is why this is the case. Condensate is removed through drains, however, if the drains are blocked, you may encounter leaks or musty aromas.
Pour some vinegar or bleach down the drain if you notice musty aromas near your unit’s drain. Sometimes a tiny brush or pipe cleaner can work well to clear clogged pipes. However, it’s time to contact us for assistance if you are encountering leaks that you are unable to locate and fix.
ignition or pilot issues
If you have a gas furnace, ignition issues might prevent you from having heat when you need it or put you in danger. The issue might be caused by a dirty pilot light, a clogged gas supply, or a number of other problems.
The condition of the ignition component will be examined on routine maintenance visits by an HVAC expert, along with any other potential issues. It is a wise investment to do this preventative maintenance on your HVAC system.
Thermostat issues
Smart, programmable thermostats available today can save your energy expenditures and provide a more pleasant environment inside your house. However, you might need to put in some more work to achieve the ideal thermostat settings for your house. To be sure you’re getting the most out of your thermostat, be sure to read the handbook.
But even the greatest thermostats may go wrong. An inspection by a service technician may reveal difficulties with the thermostat sensor or other problems if you’re having trouble keeping the right temperature in your house.
excessively running blower motor
Does your blower motor run nonstop? Start by checking your thermostat. The fan will continue to run if the fan switch is set to ON. The most often used setting is AUTO.
Sometimes a faulty relay can cause the furnace’s blower motor to operate. To schedule a time for an inspection, contact your HVAC specialist.
Keep your HVAC system in excellent condition.
As we’ve seen, not every HVAC problem is difficult to resolve. In reality, you may prevent a lot of typical issues by doing routine maintenance. Some of these jobs, like changing an air filter, may be done by the homeowner quickly and simply. Others need the skills, experience, and specialized equipment of an HVAC specialist.