Throughout the year, many people find themselves using their HVAC systems to keep warm during chilly nights or cool in the peak heat of a summer day. Whether it’s for heating or cooling, the system is often run throughout the day and into the night. Because of this, when something goes wrong with the air conditioner or heater, it’s often the first thing on the list to be fixed. After all, heating and cooling is one of the most important things when it comes to your family’s comfort.
As such, there are a number of different ways that the system can show you that it needs repairs. Many of these problems can be caused by a range of ways as well, whether it be due to age or just because it needs some regular maintenance. Most of the time, these issues can be prevented if you take proper care of your HVAC system, though it’s easy to overlook some issues if you aren’t familiar with how they work.
This article covers some of the most common problems that can be found when dealing with a HVAC system. In hot cities like Phoenix, Arizona, for example, it’s important to know more about AC repair in Phoenix and what steps you can take to fix these problems.
The air conditioner is releasing warm air
One of the most common problems when dealing with a malfunctioning air conditioner is that the system is releasing warm air when it shouldn’t be. On a hot summer afternoon, this can be a big deal when it comes to home comfort. It’s already hot enough without the added warm air.
This can be caused by a number of different reasons, some of which you can fix by yourself. One main reason is that the condenser unit outside your home is blocked. This can either be caused by grass or dust covering the outside of the unit or a buildup of said debris clogging the inner workings.
Another potential reason is that the air filter installed into the air conditioner is dirty. This often means that the internal parts aren’t working at peak efficiency due to the fact that the air filter isn’t cleaning the air that comes through. All that sand and dust clogs up the parts and interferes with how the heat is pulled out and the cool air is released into the house.
Finally, a far simpler reason for the air conditioner releasing warm air is incorrectly setting the thermostat to heat. While this is the simplest of causes, wrong or incorrect settings on the thermostat may go unnoticed because of their simplicity or the fact that it’s assumed that the settings have not been adjusted. However, it’s always important to make sure that everything is fine first before calling a professional as it saves you money that you might not have needed to spend.
The air conditioner isn’t cooling the house properly
Another of the most common issues with your air conditioner is that the system isn’t cooling down the house well. When it comes to hotter climates, this can be a very serious problem, especially considering it always seems to happen right when the air conditioner is needed the most. The good news is, at least, that it can be caught and fixed much earlier.
One main cause, much like when it comes to heating, is the system’s air filters. The dirt building up on the filter leads to the parts inside the air conditioner becoming dirty too. This leads to less heat being drawn out due to less contact with the coils and lowered cooling capacities.
The system might also be low on refrigerant, which is what helps cool the air down within the system. The refrigerant is what absorbs the heat from the air brought in before transferring that same heat outside. Lower levels in the air conditioner means that less heat is released outside, which can lead to warmer air being blown throughout your home instead of the cold air you’d want.
The system is dripping water
Occasionally, you might find that there’s a small wet spot on the ground surrounding the HVAC system. This moisture can, if not addressed immediately, cause mold and water damage to the floor and surrounding area. But despite its seriousness, dripping water, puddles, or moiste around your HVAC outlets doesn’t always mean that there’s damage or gaps causing a leak.
A low level of refrigerant may be one possible cause of a puddle or a wet spot. When the air around the system gets too cool, the condensation that builds up on the tubing can freeze. While this might not damage the pipes themselves, when the unit turns on, the ice ends up melting and dripping onto the ground.
The ductwork around the unit may also not be sealed properly. When the water passes through the system, the gaps in between connections let water leak through. Additionally, this can pop up when dealing with the air conditioner’s drain lines. This might not be caught very quickly, especially if it pops up during hot days where water evaporates faster.
The system is making loud sounds
A simple but common problem is that, on occasion, your air conditioner might make loud bangs and clanks. This can be one of the easiest to diagnose problems, regardless of what the system’s functions are. Most of the time, these loud sounds are caused by loose or broken parts inside the system that rattle and hit the sides whenever the unit’s on. Another cause, more often found in water systems, is that there’s a buildup of loose sediments that clump together. Much like with loose parts, these clumps hit the sides of the tank or pipes and cause the loud sounds.
Takeaway
At the end of the day, there are a large number of signs that let you know that your air conditioner or water system needs to be fixed or replaced. Sometimes, parts can become loose, or dirt can cover them. While some of these problems are easy to solve, calling a professional can sometimes be the best option, especially if fixing the issue may be too complex.
