Willis Carrier invented air conditioning by moving air through water-cooled coils in 1902. These days, nearly 90% of American households use air conditioning.
HVAC systems are complex and sturdy pieces of equipment, but they still need regular servicing and maintenance. An HVAC emergency can happen unexpectedly if you don’t know how to care for your system properly.
So, keep reading to learn more about common HVAC issues and how to deal with them.
Low Refrigerant
Refrigerants like Freon are what allow your HVAC to cool the air and remove humidity. If there isn’t enough refrigerant or a leak in the refrigerant lines, your system won’t work effectively.
Without enough refrigerant, your system will need to work longer and harder to achieve the same effect. This can drive up your utility bill quite a bit. So, if you notice a sudden spike in your bills, you might need some air conditioning repairs.
Dealing with refrigerant issues isn’t something you can do yourself. You need to get an HVAC repair service to find the leak and to determine whether the leak can be fixed or if the pipes need to be replaced.
Frozen Coils
The evaporation coils in your HVAC system are filled with refrigerant. The coils are in charge of absorbing the heat from the air.
While you might think frozen coils would work better to cool down the air, the coils need warm air around them to work as intended. If the warm air is interrupted and the coils get too cold, then a layer of ice can build up on the outside. When this happens, the heat isn’t pulled from the air, meaning you’ll either get warm air from your air conditioner or no air at all.
To address this issue, you first need to deactivate your HVAC system and allow the ice to melt. This can take a few hours, so be patient during this process. You should also place a towel near the coils to absorb the water as it defrosts.
Once everything is melted, you should gently clean the coils to remove any dirt or grime that might be on the coils. You should also replace the air filters while you’re working on the unit.
If you start the system back up and notice after a few days that the issue persists, then you’ll need to get an HVAC repair team to come and take a look.
Dirty Coils
Condenser coils are part of the outdoor unit. They remove heat by expelling it outside of the building. These coils can’t do their job if they’re covered in dirt, dust, and debris.
Areas that have a lot of soot and pollution in the air are more prone to struggle with dirty condenser coils. The dirt buildup impedes the heat transfer, meaning the other parts of the system must work harder to achieve the same effect. This causes the parts of the HVAC to wear down faster and can lead to system failure.
This issue can generally be solved simply by cleaning the condenser coils regularly.
Ductwork Issues
The ductwork is what carries the cooled air throughout your home. Depending on your HVAC system, these ducts can run through the walls and ceilings of your home, connecting the vents to the air conditioner.
If there are holes, leaks, or breaks in the ducts, then the cooled air doesn’t reach its destination. This could mean that your air-conditioned air ends up between your walls instead of in your home.
These issues can be caused by a variety of things ranging from rodents all the way to careless installations. You’ll need to get a professional HAC repair team to inspect your ductwork and locate any issues.
Fan Issues
In your HVAC system, a fan blows over the evaporator coils, and another blows over the condenser coils. These fans are crucial in your HVAC system as they are what move the air and allow the other parts of the system to do its job. If either of these fans isn’t working properly, your unit won’t work as expected.
There are a lot of things that can cause the fan not to work properly. Some possible issues might be:
- Lack of lubrication
- Worn belts
- Faulty motor
- A buildup of dirt and debris
If you look at the fans, you can probably see what’s wrong, but if not, you should start by cleaning them and lubricating them. Then, inspect the belts to ensure they aren’t worn down. If none of your efforts have made a difference, then it’s time to call the professionals.
The best way to avoid fan issues is through regular inspection and maintenance.
Clogged Drains
Since your HVAC system removes moisture from the air, there has to be a place to put that moisture. The moisture is generally removed from the system through a drain line that leads into a pan. From the pan, the water flows into a drain.
If any part of this process gets clogged, the water can back up in the drain line and enter the system again. This can cause a lot of damage as electrical equipment shouldn’t be in the water.
Not only can this damage your HVAC system, but you can also get water damage throughout your home. If it gets bad enough, it can start dripping inside your home, in turn ruining your furniture. Lastly, this can lead to the growth of unsightly and dangerous mold.
To prevent this, you need to ensure the pan isn’t overflowing and the drain line is clear.
HVAC Emergency Prevention
When it comes to dealing with an HVAC emergency, you don’t get to choose the time. But through proper HVAC servicing, you can prevent quite a few issues from popping up! So don’t delay and schedule an inspection and maintenance as soon as possible.
If you’re looking for professional heating and cooling services in Pensacola Beach, FL, look no further than All Seasons Service Network. Whether you are in need of an air conditioning repair or a complete heating system replacement, our team is ready to help!
