How to Avoid the Most Common HVAC Problems

Tori Klein • July 26, 2021

Air conditioning and heating systems are often taken for granted.

Outdoor heat pump with pink tulip flowers to the right of it.
It’s important for homeowners to keep up with simple maintenance requirements. If you neglect your in-home system, it will eventually fail when you need it the most – as soon as summer or winter hits. Before the weather begins to turn and leaves you without heat, look out for these common HVAC problems.

1. Common HVAC problems and how to fix them
Temperatures are on the rise, and so is your air conditioning bill. One reason for the increase in service calls is that people would rather wait it out when they're cooler. But with our sultry summer heat getting more intense every day, we could be indirectly responsible for most common problems associated with HVAC units during this time of year – especially if you live somewhere hot where temperatures can get extreme outside. Sometimes the unit may feel like it's working extra hard to keep us cool; sometimes, there might not even seem to be any relief at all from these high temps whether or not your AC has been cleaned recently.

2. Clogged/dirty filters
A dirty filter can reduce or completely stop airflow from your air vents, which in turn makes it harder for your furnace and AC to heat/cool the home. Fortunately, this is one of the easiest fixes - swap out a clogged old filter with a new clean one. Air filters collect dirt particles that could otherwise end up back inside our homes; be sure to replace yours as often as specified by manufacturer guidelines (which vary depending on the model). One of the best ways to maintain your home's heating and cooling system is by changing the air filter every 3-6 months. With this simple adjustment, you'll be able to reduce HVAC breakdowns considerably.

3. Pilot Malfunction/ Ignition
Suppose your ignition or pilot system malfunctions, dirt, wear, and tear may be the cause. However, if a sensor becomes too dirty, it can disrupt an HVAC's flame: this will result in short-cycling of furnaces with pilot outages for air conditioners. The issue could also stem from gas supply failures or simple wear on the igniter itself due to age. For these reasons, you should call a professional who is well trained in dealing with high voltage items like furnaces. 

4. Evaporator coil Burn out
You may be noticing a problem with your HVAC system. This can often manifest itself in humidity that cannot escape or an increase in energy consumption, but there are many other symptoms as well! For example, if you notice excessive dust on top of vents and coils, it is time to call for service from professionals specializing in evaporator coil maintenance.

5. Compressor failure
With an HVAC compressor, it is never a good idea to ignore the warning signs. When you see your unit running continuously or experiencing frequent problems such as insufficient airflow and electrical issues, call us for service before these small problems snowball into a serious and expensive one.
It's important to get your air conditioner checked out as soon as it starts acting up. If you wait too long, the problem will only worsen. It may lead to expensive repairs and means that scheduling annual maintenance is easier because this can help ensure the smooth running of your AC system for years into the future.

The hot summer months are approaching, and it's the perfect time for routine HVAC maintenance. To ensure your system is working properly, we recommend scheduling a check-up with our specialists today. You may be surprised to find out that there might not even need any immediate repair work as winter approaches - just by making sure you're set up correctly now can save you money in the long run.

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