The heating and cooling systems in your house probably don’t garner much attention from you. That is, of course, until something is going wrong. We count on them to keep our homes warm or cool depending on the season and assume it will happen. So, when things aren’t working right, it can be pretty miserable. When they aren’t working right, you hope it’s not one of those dreaded costly repairs. Some HVAC problems can be relatively minor and won’t break the bank to get them fixed.
Read on for the 5 most common HVAC problems you might run into with your system.
1. Dirty Filters
The filters in your furnace are simple and important for the life of your furnace. They are in place to capture all the dust and particles from traveling through your ducts.
When the filters get dirty, your furnace has to work extra hard to push that air through them. When the furnace works harder, it runs more and has more wear and tear on the unit.
It’s recommended that you change your furnace filters once a season or around every 90 days for optimal effectiveness.
2. Thermostat
The thermostat is a pretty simple part of the HVAC system. Yet, if it isn’t working effectively, your house won’t get heated or cooled properly.
If suddenly your AC or furnace isn’t kicking on, check the thermostat. Make sure it has working batteries. Check the electrical connecting the thermostat hasn’t blown a fuse.
Having a modern thermostat can be big cost savings for you too since you can control when your house needs to be heated and cooled.
3. Pilot Light or Ignition
A common furnace problem might have to do with the pilot or ignition. If the pilot light goes out, it might need to be relit. In older furnaces, the parts connected to the pilot light or ignition might wear out. This is probably something you need to hire a professional to repair.
If you are not getting heat and know the thermostat is working, the hot surface ignitor or thermocouple are common sources of breaking from wear and tear over time.
4. No Cool Air
If your AC unit seems to be working but you aren’t getting cool air a couple of things could be to blame. It might be that your AC unit needs more refrigerant. The refrigerant is what helps to cool the air before it’s pumped into your house.
You could need refrigerant because it has just been used up. More commonly though, the refrigerant has leaked from the cooling lines. This is another repair you likely want to call an HVAC specialist to consider.
5. Lack of Maintenance
Many HVAC problems can be avoided with regular routine maintenance. Like you take your car in for an oil change, you need to have your HVAC inspected.
If there is a loose part or a part wearing out, or a leak, these can be quickly addressed before they become bigger problems.
Fixing the Most Common HVAC Problems in Your Home
Avoid common HVAC problems by doing regular routine maintenance on your system. Then when you have a problem, look for the simplest things first. It can be a big relief when it’s only the batteries that need replacing in your thermostat. As an added bonus, here is a checklist of HVAC problems that you can review to make sure everything is up to snuff.
HVAC Problem Checklists
Most Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems are reliable performers, but they do have their limitations. It is best to have a basic understanding of common HVAC problems and solutions in order to keep your system running smoothly and effectively.
Some common HVAC problems are straightforward and relatively easy to address, others require a professional. At Hanover Supply Company in New Jersey, we’ve been supporting both homeowners and trade professionals for years for tools in NJ, and experience suggest that professionally cleaning and checking your HVAC system yearly especially in the fall before winter and in spring before the heat cranks up will keep problems to a minimum.
Checklist for Spring/Summer HVAC Preventative Maintenance
The items on this checklist should be done in order to prepare your air conditioning system for the summer season. It is usually best to have your system checked by a professional. Make sure that they:
- Clean/replace filters
- Clean the condenser and evaporator coils
- Clean drain lines to ensure proper flow and clear clogs
- Clear drain pans of standing water to avoid overflows
- Replace worn pulleys and belts
- Inspect the ducts for mold, dust, and debris
- Observe humidity levels
- Check refrigerant charge and check for leaks
- Test thermostats and controls to ensure temperatures and timer functions are set correctly
- Change batteries
- Check the electrical system and connections
- Check the fan motor
- Check blowers and blades for correct airflow
- Lubricate motor bearings and moving parts
- Inspect the cabinet for leaks and check the cabinet door closes securely
- Check for debris outside the unit
Checklist for Fall/Winter HVAC Preventative Maintenance
At Hanover Supply we recommend the following preventative maintenance tasks be performed to make sure that your heating system is ready for cold weather.
- Replace filters on heating equipment
- Inspect ignition burner assembly
- Examine heat exchanger or heating elements
- Study flue system and ensure secure attachment to the furnace
- Inspect for gas leaks with gas furnaces
- Assess gas pressure
- Check pulleys and belts
- Clear drain lines and pans
- Check electrical connections
- Lubricate motors, bearings and other moving parts
- Check thermostats and controls
- Check fan and blower operation and adjust as needed
- Inspect heat pump
- Examine ductwork and vents
If you need parts for an HVAC repair, we can help. Contact us today to get the parts you need to keep your HVAC system running smoothly.