At some point everyone needs heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) repairs. The HVAC industry in the United States was valued at 16.3 billion in 2018, with no signs of slowing. Everyone has an HVAC system in their home, and along with regular check-ups, these appliances can break down. Keep reading for our list of the seven most common HVAC problems that can lead to necessary heating and air conditioning repairs. By knowing these problems, you can recognize the early warning signs when it happens to you.
Dirty Filters
Replacing the filter in both your heating and air conditioning system is part of regular maintenance. Regularly switching out the filter can extend the life of your appliances as they don’t need to work so hard to operate.
For a furnace, having to work through a dirty filter puts unnecessary strain on the blower. Additionally, the dirty heater can make a furnace overheat and shut off.
Avoid this problem with annual repairs that checks if your filters require replacement.
Thermostat Issues
Thermostat issues are a typical heating and air conditioning repair problem. Furnaces have two main types of thermostats: programmable and non-programmable. Often, when an individual thinks their heater is malfunctioning, it’s an issue with the thermostat. For example, programmable thermostats have batteries that need periodic replacements. However, if this isn’t your issue and you suspect a thermostat problem for your furnace, call for repair to be safe.
For air conditioners, you’re more likely to have thermostat problems if you have an old dial-type thermostat. These types of thermostats can get incorrectly calibrated, which results in the air conditioning getting the wrong instructions from the control system. This is an easy problem to fix and simply requires the thermostat to be replaced or recalibrated. For homeowners with the newer programmable thermostats, incorrect programming can be causing issues. Either way, it’s best to call for heating and air conditioning repair to understand what the problem is.
Mechanical Wear and Tear
Your HVAC units are complicated systems that do a lot for the home. Over time, parts of the units that serve essential functions, can deteriorate and impact the performance of the device. For example, belts and bearings can be worn, which can result in overheating, airflow issues, and reduced heating or cooling. Regular heating and air conditioning repair can help to catch signs of wear early on before they blossom into more significant problems.
Water Leaks
Both furnaces and air conditioners produce condensation. For heaters, drain pipes are installed to ensure water is drained correctly. However, if the drain pipes are clogged or cracked, it can result in leaks.
Clogged drains are a problem for air conditioners too. Your air conditioner removes moisture from the air and this moisture needs to go somewhere. A drain line is supposed to transport this water, but if the drain is clogged or full, the water can back up and damage the air conditioner. This backup can also lead to water leaks that damage your ceilings, walls, and furnishings. And, if the water leak isn’t spotted quickly, it can result in mold growth.
If you suspect a clogged drain or see a water leak, call for heating and air conditioning repair right away. You need a professional to inspect the problem to understand how bad it is and if you need repairs or a full replacement of the unit.
Dirty Condenser or Evaporator Coils
If you notice your air conditioner isn’t cooling as well as it used to, it’s likely an issue with the coils in the system. Over time, dirt and debris can collect and clog the coils of your unit. This significantly reduces the efficiency of the unit and causes it to wear out sooner. Extremely dirty coils need to be cleaned by a professional, so make sure to schedule a heating and air conditioning repair to inspect your coils.
Unusual Furnace Noises
This one is complicated because some furnace noises are normal. However, squealing or whining sounds can be an indication of mechanical issues. These noises are often a sign that the bearings in a blower motor or inducer motor are failing. Additionally, other sounds may be an indication or a dirty burner or airflow issues. To be safe, it’s best to call for heating and air conditioning repair so you can understand if the noises are problems or part of regular operations.
Fan Problems
In every air conditioner, there is a fan that blows the indoor air over your device’s evaporator coil to cool the air. Then, another fan blows air over the outdoor unit’s condenser to move the absorbed heat outside of the building. If there is a problem with either of these fans, due to worn belts, a lack of lubrication, or a faulty motor, there will be poor airflow and unit problems. You need to address the issue immediately; otherwise, it can lead to compressor failure. If you allow it to get to the point of compressor failure, a complete replacement of your air conditioner will likely be needed. Call a professional for inspections and repair if you suspect fan problems in your air conditioner.
Blue Ox Heating and Air in Minneapolis, MN
Blue Ox Heating and Air have been serving the community since 2013. Three families with heating and air conditioning repair backgrounds came together to form one company. With over 100 years of heating and air conditioning repair experience between them, Blue Ox offers the family business feel with the large corporation expertise. We are fully licensed, bonded, and insured to serve our customers throughout Minneapolis, MN.
Contact us for services in furnace maintenance, repairs, and replacements, zoned systems, garage heaters, AC repair and maintenance, heat pumps, ductless systems, thermostats, air purifiers, air duct cleaning, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and more.
If you suspect an issue with your heating or air conditioning units, don’t wait any longer to resolve the problem. Left alone, a small problem can compile into a massive issue that is more costly or kills the unit. Book an appointment with Blue Ox Heating & Air today for a quote on services.
