Common Things That Go Wrong in HVACs — You want your HVAC system to blow hot air in the freezing cold winters, cold air in the sweltering hot summers, and when this does not happen it is easy to get discouraged.
4 Common Things That Go Wrong in HVACs
No matter the age or reliability of your HVAC unit, some things do go wrong during regular operation and issues can range from minor problems that a homeowner can fix to more serious complications that require the assistance of a HVAC licensed technician or a calibration services company. Here are four common things that often go wrong with HVAC systems.
Dirty Filters
HVAC filters prevent dust, dirt, and other irritants from entering your home. Therefore, it is essential that these are changed on a regular basis to prevent the filter from getting clogged. Many homeowners neglect to change their HVAC filters regularly or do not change them enough.
This can lead to decreased airflow and will eventually cause your system to wear due to an increased workload as it tries to push air through a filter clogged with debris. Not only will you and your family be exposed to cleaner air, it will ensure your HVAC unit is working to the best of its ability.
Thermostat
The thermostat is an important HVAC component as it is the central control for heating and cooling. It reads the temperature of the home, compares it to the programmed desired temperature setting, and then triggers the HVAC unit to release either warm or cool air.
Some homeowners may think that they need a whole new HVAC unit when troubles arise but, it could just be the thermostat which is an easier, cheaper component to repair. If your HVAC unit is not responding how you want it to, chances are you need to adjust your settings based on your desired room temperatures.
If your thermostat is showing a blank display screen, you may not need to change your backup batteries. If your batteries are OK or you changed them and nothing is displaying, you may need to call a licensed technician to check the wiring from the component to your HVAC unit
Breaker/Fuses
When an HVAC unit is not working at all, one of the first things to be checked is the breaker or fuse on your home circuit panel. A tripped breaker or blown fuse on any component of your HVAC unit will prevent it from working properly and may be indicative of a problem with the electrical system in your house.
There are also fuses found in your HVAC unit itself which prevent the compressor and motor from overheating. You can test the fuses with a voltmeter but if you are unsure, call a licences technician to assist you.
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Uneven Heating/Cooling
It is not uncommon for a home to experience uneven heating or cooling meaning some rooms are getting the adequate amount of air and some are not. If this is occurring, it is usually due to several reasons. It could be that your home’s ducts are not allowing air to pass through to certain areas.
If so, your ducts need to be cleaned or the dampers need to be adjusted to allow sufficient air to enter all rooms of the home. Uneven air balances could also mean that some vents in your home are open and some are closed. Look around your home and confirm that vents in the rooms that you want the most air in are open and vents in rarely used rooms are closed.
If you have a basement, closing those vents off in the summer to prevent cool air from entering is beneficial as basements are usually cool enough. That way, the cool air will be re-routed to rooms that you want to cool off.
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