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Are your kids constantly complaining of night sweats that cut their dreams short? Perhaps they are right to complain about the uncomfortable conditions caused by your malfunctioning air conditioning unit. Maybe it's your commercial HVAC unit that won't act right, and now your employees feel like toast, reducing their productivity. Regardless of the setting, HVAC systems are probably one of the most significant investments in our spaces. When your AC begins to misbehave, you might need to check out the probable problem and, if possible, troubleshoot it before calling your HVAC technician. If you don't know where to begin, this piece will guide you.
Problem #1: Dirty or clogged air filters
Neglected air filters eventually become problematic to your AC. Air filters are responsible for trapping and sieving out dirt particles, contaminants, and debris from the air being driven into your home or workspace. Over time, the debris and dirt accumulate, blocking the vents. This results in reduced indoor air quality, energy inefficiency, and rapid wear and tear of AC parts.
The solution
Consider changing your filters regularly. Experts recommend changing air filters every two to three months before the start of a new season. You could also make it a habit to clean the air filters. Your HVAC technician could guide you on how to do this on your own. Check out https://www.gotflowservices.com/ to get a consultation.
Problem #2: Defective thermostat
You might notice that your air conditioning unit won't switch on, cycle on and off, or have a short cycle. These are some indications that you have a defective thermostat. How do you solve this?
The solution
Your thermostat might be trying to communicate that its batteries are wearing off. Replace the batteries to see if it solves the issue. If not, call in a technician to inspect if the sensor works fine. You should also check if the thermostat is set correctly according to your needs.
Problem #3: Mechanical wear and tear
Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever, even for your air conditioner and its components. Either due to aging or overworking, the mechanical components in your HVAC may begin to wear off. You could notice bizarre noises such as screeching and rattling sounds emanating from your AC unit. Components such as belts, bearings, and ducts wear off, leading to overheating, irregular airflow, and inadequate heating.
The solution
There is no short cut to solving mechanical wear and tear. Your HVAC technician will inspect the system and recommend component replacements or replacement of the entire system.
Problem #4: Leaking ducts
High energy bills and low cooling power are two major indications that you could be dealing with a leaky duct. Typically, leaking ducts emanate from old duct-work, damaged duct-work, or incorrectly installed vents.
The solution
Begin by inspecting where the suspected crack or leak is. You might want to include your technician in the process to make things easier. Experts recommend sealing the leaks if they are minor or replacing the duct-work altogether if the leaks are numerous or significant.
Problem #5: Electrical problems
Did your air conditioner shut down unexpectedly and isn't turning back on despite all the commands you give it? You may be looking at electrical problems with the HVAC. It could be a blown a fuse or a faulty AC capacitor.
The solution
Electrical issues can get a little technical for the average individual. You might want to sit this one out and call the professionals for help. The technician will inspect your electrical components and connections to see the problem. He or she might recommend replacing the blown fuse or repair the capacitor to revive your unit.
Problem #6: Low refrigerant levels
On some occasions, you'll notice that your home is warm despite turning on the AC and confirming that it is blowing in the air. So, what could be the problem? Leaking or low refrigerant levels are notorious for these kinds of sideshows. The air will continue to blow in as usual, but it won't be as cool as you want it to be. You could also confirm this by checking for condensation water beneath the system, high electricity bills, and ice accumulation on the copper lines emanating from the AC.
The solution
This isn't one of the easy DIY solutions. Call in your technician to inspect the system, repair any leakage, refill the refrigerant, recharge the system, and test the system to ensure it's restored.
Problem #7: Inappropriate size of HVAC
As earlier discussed, overworking your air conditioner is one of the leading causes of malfunctions. Unknown to a majority of potential buyers, investing in HVAC's wrong size for your space forces it to work harder, causing problems. If you invest in a unit that's too small for your home, it will work harder to achieve the cooling parameters and eventually wear out. One that's too big works inefficiently, probably the main reason why your energy bills have been escalating lately.
The solution
Replace the system and invest in the right size of HVAC for your home. Your HVAC technician will guide you through the detailed load calculation to arrive at the right size of AC.
Problem #8: Ignition issues
Does it take longer than usual to start up your HVAC unit? Perhaps your system won't ignite at all. You may be experiencing ignition issues that need urgent attention.
The solution
While you've probably made the diagnosis yourself, it's imperative to wait for your technician to confirm the problem from a professional view. The technician might replace the pilot lights, electrical components, or igniters to solve the ignition problem.
Problem #9: Dirty coils
Although often overlooked, chances that your energy bills escalate by the day due to dirty coils are high. If your evaporator and condenser coils are located outside, they are vulnerable to accommodating dirt and debris build-up over time. This reduces the unit's efficiency.
The solution
A trained service technician will help you clean the coils if they are extremely dirty. You might want to learn how to clean the coils yourself as the more regular you do, the lower your chances of encountering them.
Through routine maintenance and seasonal tune-up, you could avoid some of these problems. But should they happen unexpectedly, this piece will guide you on how to handle the problem.
