In-home HVAC systems are often taken for granted by many homeowners who fail to keep up with simple maintenance requirements.
Because of this, air conditioners and heating systems tend to pack it in when they’re needed the most — as soon the summer or winter hits.
Before the weather begins to turn and you’re left without heat, look out for symptoms of these common HVAC problems.
Common HVAC Problems and How To Avoid Them
Most, if not all, HVAC problems are avoidable with regular, preventative maintenance. It’s always wise to do these maintenance check-ups before the change of major seasons i.e. from summer to winter and vice versa.
Ideally, a licensed contractor or expert in HVAC should perform your these maintenance check-ups.
In order to protect your expensive in-home investment, here are five common issues to look out for:
1. Dirty / Clogged Filters
HVAC filters should regularly be replaced to ensure your home is being pumped with cleanest and coolest or warmest air possible.
Replacing these filters also does wonders in extending the life and efficiency of your HVAC system furnace.
Clogged and dirty filters will restrict airflow, causing your HVAC unit to work harder. As a result, this can put a strain on your furnace and blower, causing them to overheat and burn out.
Have your HVAC filters inspected by service professional at least twice a year and have them replaced accordingly.
2. Ignition / Pilot Malfunction
The malfunction of your ignition or pilot system can be caused by a number of reasons, but the most common is dirt and wear and tear.
If a pilot or ignition sensor becomes too dirty, this will disrupt the ignition of your HVAC system. This will result in a pilot outage, short cycling or furnace lockout.
The system could also be experiencing a gas supply issues or simple wear and tear of the ignition component itself.
Basically, your HVAC system will fail to start up as usual. It’s best to call in the help of a professional who is well trained in dealing with gas and high voltage elements.
3. Thermostat Malfunction
These are two main thermostat systems used in HVAC systems: programmable and non-programmable. More often than not, what homeowners believe to be a major furnace issue is simply irregular thermostat settings.
For any number of reasons, your thermostat valve could accidentally switch off. Before enlisting the help of a technician, you simply need to check that your thermostat expansion valve is operating.
Other than that, make sure programmable thermostat batteries are fully functional and replaced if need be!
4. Evaporator Coil Burn Out
Just the same as your HVAC filters, your evaporator coil can become clogged and dirty, causing it to work overtime and burn out.
With regular maintenance by a service professional, you can ensure your evaporator coils are clean and last a little longer.
Otherwise, extremely dirty and worn down evaporator coils need to be replaced to ensure your home receives the highest quality air flow.
5. Leaking Refrigerant
Refrigerant is a key component of any air conditioning system and works to keep your HVAC system cool and dehumidify the air in your home.
The refrigerant is contained within the evaporator coil of your HVAC system. It can begin to seep out of the coils due to the vibrations within the condenser unit. If this is the case, your air conditioner will not be able to function properly and leave your home hotter than you’d like!
An experienced technician will keep refrigerant levels at the appropriate amount.
HVAC Professionals At Your Service
At Sama Services we offer extensive industry knowledge and expertise when it comes to any number of HVAC problems.
Our specialty lies in the installation and maintenance of both heating and cooling systems. Get in touch today to schedule a routine HVAC check-up!