Avoid These 12 Frequent HVAC Concerns This Summer
During the heart of summer, you depend on your HVAC system to keep your home comfortable and safe from the heat. However, your home’s air conditioning may experience problems as day-to-day use rises as the thermometer does. Get the details on these 12 common HVAC headaches in the summer months to help you prevent or fix them as needed.
1. Low Airflow
Airflow may drop if you have a clogged air filter, faulty ductwork or a blocked condensing unit. Preventive maintenance such as changing the air filter, keeping all air registers open and clearing vegetation from around the outdoor unit will help restore proper airflow. Persistent problems might mean there are serious issues such as ductwork damage or a malfunctioning compressor, all of which require professional attention.
2. Refrigerant Leak
Refrigerant is the essential component in air conditioning. A leak decreases the system’s total supply and decreases cooling efficiency, making your unit work harder even as the comfort level falls away. Refrigerant leaks are more likely in old units but may pop up in any system under high usage. The signs of a leak include warm air blowing from your vents, whistling or gurgling sounds, and unexpectedly high utility bills. Only professional technicians can fix the problem because handling refrigerant requires EPA certification.
3. High Humidity
Excessive indoor moisture levels makes the air feel damp and fosters mold spores. chills and dehumidifies the air simultaneously, but this may not be adequate in especially warm climates. Installing a dehumidifier can solve the problem unless the cooling has a hidden issue that can encourage humidity levels to go up.
4. Improperly Set Thermostat
Incorrect thermostat settings can cause problems with comfort/system performance and a spike in energy costs. If you encounter these or similar problems, check your thermostat. If a member of the family keeps adjusting the settings up or down, it’s more difficult to balance convenient comfort and energy efficiency.
5. No Power to the Air Conditioning
If your AC struggles to start, look for a tripped breaker or blown fuse before anything else. If this is not the issue, it may be something wrong with the unit’s capacitors or contactors, which start the unit. Reach out to a professional to arrange a repair visit.
6. Frequently Tripped Breakers
Another issue with the circuit breakers, you shouldn’t have to continually reset them. The HVAC system should be on a dedicated circuit designed to be compatible with this sort of equipment. Regular circuit breaker trips is a safety hazard, as it’s an electrical issue that needs urgent attention.
7. Obstructed Condensate Drain
The condensate drain removes condensed moisture created by your AC system’s cooling cycles. A piece of debris lodged in this drain can result in water damage or mold gaining a foothold. It’s a good idea to consistently inspect and clean this drain if you need to prevent water damage.
8. Ice and Freezing Problems with Your Air Conditioner
A frozen air conditioner often comes from low airflow or a refrigerant leak, either of which could prevent the unit from effectively circulating hot and cold air. A large amount of ice on the coil interrupts the cooling process and may cause permanent damage. Regular maintenance is crucial if you want to stop freezing and guarantee efficient performance.
9. Dirty Condenser Coils
The condenser coils on the outdoor unit are constantly exposed to the elements, so internal components may get dirty over time. Insects, dirt and dust, grass clippings and other common outdoor debris cover up the unit, hurting its ability to expel heat and raising daily wear and tear. Rinse these coils every now and then with a soft spray from your garden hose to help protect system efficiency.
10. Odd Smells
If you pick up weird smells coming from the air conditioner, investigate further to figure out where they’re coming from. A burning smell often means electrical sparks or an overheating motor, while a musty smell suggests mold growth somewhere. Strange smells often need immediate attention to prevent health problems and performance issues.
11. Strange Noises
A barrage of loud noises coming from your HVAC system often means something isn’t right. Screeching is associated with a belt that needs replacing, while clanging or banging sounds may be coming from loose or broken components. Don’t ignore these kinds of noises, as they can lead to more significant problems, costly repairs or premature system failure if not fixed quickly.
12. Excessive Cooling Cycles
Short cycling is when the air conditioning starts and stops too many times. This can be pointing to an oversized air conditioner, dirty air filter or electrical damage. Sudden short cycling hurts efficiency and could also shorten your unit’s life span, so consult a technician to determine the cause and recommend a solution.
We Are Devoted to Your Comfort
At Olympic Aire nothing is more important to us than your comfort and satisfaction. Our ACE-certified technicians provide prompt, yet long-lasting solutions to whatever comfort problem you’re facing, fsupported by our 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not totally happy with the results, we’ll do what it takes to make things right. So, the next time your cooling system starts short cycling or making strange noises, contact us for Expert service that always exceeds expectations.