4 Residential HVAC Problems

You trust your HVAC to maintain a comfortable indoor ambiance, but some problems hinder its effective operations. Whereas you can solve some HVAC hitches via component clean-up, many issues escalate when you don't solve them early. Find below common HVAC problems you need to know. 

1. Electric Failure

Voltage fluctuations, power surges, poor maintenance, etc., can cause electric malfunctions to your unit. Examples of HVAC electric failure are:

• Damaged wires. Corrosion and disconnection of wires compromise the flow of electricity to your unit. As a result, your HVAC will struggle to achieve desired temperatures. Damaged wires not only cause breakdowns but also increase power consumption.

• Poor electrical connections. A bad electrical connection could indicate bigger problems and prompt you to tighten the connections. You shouldn't attempt to reconnect the wires lest you suffer an electric shock or cause a fire. Instead, call in an HVAC technician to fix the issue.

• Faulty circuit breaker. If a fuse blows off or the circuit breaker trips, your HVAC could suddenly stop. If the issue is recurrent, your unit will consume too much electricity and increase your energy bills. As such, you need to seek timely HVAC services.

1. Dirty Filters

A dirty filter obstructs air inflow in your residential HVAC system and causes the entire unit to shut down if it overheats. You need to frequently inspect and clean your filters and replace them every 30 days. Note that the frequency of change varies based on your environment. If you live in a polluted area, you will need to replace the filter more often.

One way to check whether your filters are clean is to use the light test. If you see the light through your filters, the filters are clean. Otherwise, you may have blockages from dirt and debris. The motor strains and consumes more power if your HVAC works with dirty filters.

1. Refrigerant and Water Leaks

The refrigerant/coolant cools your indoor air. When there is a leakage, your HVAC fails to release enough cool air. As a result, you get air that is warmer than usual.

Water leaks mostly result from problems with the drain line, e.g., blockage, cracked drain, or improper drain pipe installation. Don't hesitate to contact an HVAC technician to fix the root cause to prevent recurrent leaks.

1. Thermostat Malfunctions

An issue with your thermostat or its settings reduces your furnace's effectiveness. You could refer to the manual's instructions for the correct operational setup. If you use a programmable thermostat, you need to replace the batteries periodically. If furnace problems persist, a technician can diagnose and repair the problem.

Contact an HVAC technician near you to learn more.