Your home’s heating and cooling system is designed to keep you warm during the winter and cool during the summer. It’s important that you maintain it regularly.
However, there will come a time when your system needs repair. When this happens, you’ll need to decide if it’s better to fix the issue or replace your system completely.
LEAKING WATER
If you’re experiencing water leaking from your HVAC system, it could be an issue with one of several parts. In this case, it’s best to call an expert for HVAC system repair.
Air conditioners remove moisture from the indoor air by condensing it. The resulting liquid, known as condensate, runs down into a drain line.
When a problem occurs with this drain line, the condensate can back up and leak into your home. A clogged drain line is often caused by dust, dirt and debris that have gathered over time.
In addition, the line can become clogged with mold and mildew that is growing inside of the HVAC unit. The solution to this is usually to clean the condensate pump out with a 50% bleach/water solution.
Another common cause of AC leaks is a drain line that was not attached correctly during installation. In this case, the drain line will disconnect and water can leak into your home.
DIRTY AIR FILTER
A dirty air filter in an HVAC system can lead to expensive repairs or even a complete breakdown. This is why regular air filter replacement should be a top priority for any homeowner.
Most residential heating and cooling systems use an air filter to keep dust, dirt, pollen, pet dander and other particles out of the ductwork. A dirty air filter can spread these contaminants instead of catching them, which can increase your energy costs and make your home more uncomfortable.
Cold weather can also cause air filters to get dirty faster because they work harder to circulate the warm air inside your house. This can affect airflow and make your furnace work longer to maintain a comfortable temperature, leading to higher energy bills.
Additionally, a clogged air filter can trap excess humidity inside your home, making it difficult for your HVAC system to manage indoor humidity. This can lead to mold growing in the ductwork, which isn’t good for your health or your home’s air quality.
DAMAGED COMPONENTS
Fortunately, HVAC systems are designed to last for several decades with proper care and maintenance. However, they will eventually develop problems that must be addressed.
A system that has developed mechanical or physical faults will have to work harder to heat your home and may be wasting energy in the process. This can significantly increase your energy bills, and it’s a sign that your system needs repair or replacement.
If your system’s compressor turns on and off too frequently, this can be a sign that it is damaged and needs to be replaced. Compressors can also experience winding damage, which can be caused by lightning or age-related wear and tear.
Circuit breakers are designed to protect your system from power surges, voltage fluctuations, or other issues. They usually trip when something goes wrong with the system and should be reset only if necessary.
ELECTRICAL ISSUES
Your HVAC system relies on electricity to power the components that keep you comfortable. That includes the blower motor that runs the fan apparatus that blows heated or cooled air into your home’s ducts.
Wires within your system are a big component of your HVAC electrical system, and they can experience problems like fraying, corrosion, and disconnection that affect the flow of electricity to the different parts of your air conditioner. That can cause your air conditioner to work harder than it needs to, which can result in breakdowns or other non-electrical issues.
Fortunately, it’s usually easy to find the problem that’s causing your AC to malfunction. You can check for signs of frayed wires and other issues by examining the wire casings that surround the electrical wires inside your HVAC system.
If you have trouble determining whether an electrical issue is affecting your air conditioning system, it’s best to call a licensed HVAC technician who can inspect and troubleshoot the problem for you. They can also replace or repair the faulty wires and ensure that your air conditioner is running properly again.