The 10 Most Common HVAC Problems and How to Deal with Them – According to the Richardson, TX Air Conditioning Service Specialists
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While you may find that some HVAC problems are just a simple matter of cleaning filters and coils, something that most people can do by themselves, many of the issues found in cooling and heating systems will more than likely become a much bigger problem if the unit is not serviced on a regular basis. Most of these issues can be completely avoided if regular maintenance is done. It is highly advisable to have your unit checked every year to prevent it from failing, especially in serious weather conditions. Air conditioning technicians are usually needed to fix most of these problems.
1. Not Enough Maintenance
It is of great importance that you schedule regular maintenance for your system by a licensed contractor in order to keep it in the best working order possible. Most of the common furnace issues can be avoided by simply making use of a certified contractor on a regular basis. As you may have realized, you have invested a lot of hard-earned money into your home cooling/heating system, so why not protect this investment? If you do not get your system checked on a regular basis you will notice that there is an increase in the cost of energy, the performance of your unit is pretty bad, you have to deal with unexpected breakdowns and it becomes very frustrating.
If you are living in Richardson, TX you can secure your investment and get peace of mind by contacting an air conditioning service near you.
2. Filters That Are Dirty
The best thing that you can do to extend the life of your furnace is to replace the filter on a regular basis. By doing so, you will also make the furnace more efficient. When the filter is dirty it actually restricts the airflow, which causes the unit to have to work much harder in order to circulate the air throughout your home. This then puts more strain on your furnace’s blower and decreases the level of comfort that you should be feeling. A dirty filter can cause your furnace to overheat or completely shut down. Getting an air conditioning service to come in is only going to be an advantage to you.
3. Ignition or Pilot Problems
Ignition issues can be the result of a number of problems. A dirty flame sensor, pilot, or burner could possibly cause short cycling, a pilot outage, delayed ignition of the burners, or furnace lockout. It may well be a result of a gas supply issue or just the usual wear and tear of one of the ignition components that needs to be replaced like the thermocouple or the hot surface ignitor. No matter the issue, it is highly advisable that these issues are handled by a reputable air conditioning service technician, especially since there are dangerous gas and high voltage involved.
4. Thermostat Malfunctions
There are a lot of different thermostats, some are programmable and some are not. Air conditioning service professionals often find that homeowners in Richardson, TX believe that their furnaces are not working correctly when it is, in fact, an issue with the thermostat. Checking your owner’s manual could be helpful in some cases but in most instances, it will require the assistance of a professional to fix the problem. Some of the programmable thermostats could have batteries that need to be replaced every now and then but if you have replaced them and you still find that the unit is malfunctioning, calling an AC service technician to come in and take a look is the easiest way to solve the problem in no time at all.
5. Mechanical Problems Caused by Wear and Tear
Your heating system relies on a number of mechanical components in order to work. Normal wear and tear of these components can cause your unit to not perform as well as they should. These components include bearings and belts, which can cause overheating, airflow problems, and poor heating. It is therefore vital that you call in an air conditioning service for regular maintenance so that they can check for stretched or worn belts, oil the bearings and the motor if required.
6. Weird Noises Coming from Your Furnace
Some of the noises that come from a furnace are normal for operation but when there are other noises like squealing and whining, it could very well be an indication that a blower motor or an inducer motor are on their way out. Replacing the motor may be the only way to ensure that your entire furnace does not fail. Other noises can indicate that there are issues with the airflow or that the burners are dirty. Whatever the case may be, it is not advisable to ignore the signs because they could be the warning bells, telling you that there is something seriously wrong which could possibly lead to your furnace failing if not attended too as soon as possible. Once again, calling in an air conditioning service expert is the best option.
7. Tripped Breakers or Blown Fuses
If the blower in your furnace is overworking, it is the most common reason why the furnace would trip a circuit breaker. When there is something blocking the airflow to your unit, the blower needs to work harder to compensate for the blockage. A dirty air filter is the most likely cause. The blower has to work twice as hard to force the air through the filter when the air filter is dirty or blocked. When this happens, the blower needs to use more power to do the same job, which can cause the circuit breaker to trip. It is important that the filter is checked and replaced with a new one before the circuit breaker is reset. If the problem keeps on coming back, it is a clear sign that you need to call in an air conditioning service expert to determine what the problem is. They will be able to tell if it is an issue with the furnace or if the circuit breaker has malfunctioned. Other problems that can cause the blower to overwork include blocked-off or closed air registers, duct leaks, or dirty coils.
8. Dirty Evaporator Coils or Condensers
If your air conditioner is not cooling as well as it should be, it is most likely due to the fact that you have not kept up with the maintenance. Debris and dirt can end up clogging your system’s coils up, which will cause your system to wear out sooner than it should and it will reduce the efficiency of the unit. It is possible to hose off the outer coil once the condenser is turned off, which can help a little. The inner coil is a different story though, as it can become very dirty quickly if the filters are not changed regularly. A dirty or clogged evaporator coil can cause both your air conditioner and furnace to need to work harder, making them not as efficient as they should be. When the coils are very dirty, the only option is to call in an air conditioning service specialist to sort out the problem.
9. When the Blower Runs Permanently
There are a couple of reasons why a furnace blower would run permanently. Checking the fan switch on the thermostat could possibly help but if you turn off the switch and the blower still stays on all the time, you must call an air conditioning service guru in to quickly access the situation and fix the problem. A trained HVAC service technician will know precisely where to look for a possible cause, as well as what to do to sort the issue out. Attempting to sort the problem out by yourself may seem like a good idea until you realize that you are in too deep, this is the point where you need to admit defeat and get hold of the best air conditioning service in Richardson, TX. Do not make the mistake of choosing the first company in the book or online, look around to make sure that you find the best person for the job. Hiring someone who is not familiar with these systems will only end up costing you more money in the long run.
10. Water Leaks Cause More Damage Than You Would Expect
Both high-efficiency furnaces and air conditioners produce condensate. Drainage pipes are used to make sure that there is proper water drainage. If a furnace’s drain lines are cracked or clogged up it could cause leaking. By pouring bleach down the drainage lines on a regular basis, you can keep the pipes rather clean but the time will come that the bleach just does not work anymore. When this happens, it is time to hire an air conditioning service professional to figure out what to do about the problem. The problem could also be with the heat exchanger, collector box, or evaporator drain pan. These types of issues can only be sorted out by an air conditioning service expert. Trying to sort these types of problems out on your own is not advisable, unless you, yourself are an AC service guru.
Tips from an Air Conditioning Service Specialist
When you replace your old and inefficient model, you can expect to see up to a 25 percent increase in performance, which will reduce the amount of energy consumption by between 25 and 40 percent. This will be a welcomed decrease in anyone’s monthly utility costs.
Finding a company that can offer you emergency services can really help save you money in times of crisis. Having an air conditioning service professional on speed dial for these incidences is very important. They have the diagnostic equipment needed to evaluate exactly what the problem is and they have the necessary tools in order to sort the problem out very quickly and efficiently.
Skilled air conditioning service contractors are there to make sure that you get the best possible service for the best possible price. Choosing someone that you can trust is vital. The person who comes out in times of emergency should have your best interest at heart. They should not try to rush through the job just to get paid, they should correctly access the situation and do the job properly the first time around.
If you want to minimize your future bills, you must make sure that the air conditioning service representative you choose supplies you with a comprehensive plan that teaches you how to keep all of your HVAC equipment running smoothly. When your furnace and air conditioner work correctly, you save money – it is that simple!
Find a company that participates in the Home Performance Evaluation by ENERGY STAR. This is a national program created by the United States Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency. The program is designed to offer a complete-house approach, which helps to improve energy efficiency and protect the environment. A trained technician will come to your home to do an evaluation, which will help to save you money.
When you choose a company, they should be able to provide you with a wide variety of services for both your cooling and heating units. Their technicians should be factory-trained and should have in-house training to make sure that they can offer the best possible customer service, and to get the job done right, the first time.
One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating offers you 24-hour service will be more beneficial to you that one who does not have this service available. Having to wait for a company to open before they can assist you will only waste your time and money.
At the end of the day, which air conditioning service specialist you choose to make use of will basically determine how much money you save or how much you waste over time. Shop around before jumping into any type of contract or deal with just anyone.