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Common HVAC Issues That Can Be Avoided With Routine Maintenance

The function and efficiency of your home’s heating and cooling system depend on how well you maintain it. Routine maintenance can minimize or eliminate numerous HVAC issues.

1. Poor Indoor Air Quality

Your home’s air can contain various contaminants, such as pet dander, mold spores, dirt, and dust. They can trigger indoor allergy flare-ups, causing you and others in your home to experience symptoms like coughing, itching eyes, and skin rashes. Regular HVAC tune-ups help lower contaminant levels and improve your indoor air quality.

2. Poor Airflow

Debris such as dust and dirt can clog your home’s vents and its intake air return register. These clogs impede airflow, making your home feel stuffy, humid, and uncomfortable.

Keeping this part of your HVAC system clean helps improve airflow. It also helps your system run more efficiently, keeping your heating and cooling bills more affordable and your indoor environment more comfortable.

3. Unreliable Thermostat Function

The thermostat plays a key role in your HVAC system’s operation. To ensure it performs optimally, you can hire an HVAC technician to inspect and test it regularly.

The technician will ensure the thermostat provides you with reliable temperature readings. This service also ensures the thermostat does not contribute to problems like your system cycling continuously or freezing up.

4. Refrigerant Leaks

A refrigerant leak prevents your unit from working normally. You may not even know your system has this type of leak until your air conditioner freezes or starts blowing out hot air.

Repairing the leak can also put a dent in your household budget and leave you without indoor cooling for several hours or longer. You could avoid leaks better with routine HVAC maintenance.

5. Clogged Condensate Drain

A clogged condensate drain can cause your HVAC unit to leak water. Water leaks not only compromise the function of your system. They can also cause damage to your home’s flooring and walls.

Removing algae, dirt, and other accumulated debris from inside allows water to drain away properly. This task also minimizes the risk of expensive water damage to your home.

6. Dirty Coils

Similarly, dirty coils can contribute to your HVAC unit not working properly. It can cause issues like your system freezing up, poor air quality, and higher energy costs.

Dirty coils can also cause condensation to build up on surfaces like the inside windows in your home. You should have them professionally inspected and cleaned at least once a year to avoid these issues.

7. Broken Belts

Several signs can tip you off that you have broken belts in your home’s HVAC unit. You might hear it making loud squealing noises as it runs. Your home’s air may also feel warmer or more humid than usual.

You may also see visible damage like fraying and cracks in the belts. An experienced technician can replace these belts for you.

8. Power Issues

Routine maintenance mitigates the risk of your unit experiencing power issues. You can make sure the circuit for it does not frequently trip. You can also ensure the power switch turns on and off reliably.

A licensed technician can inspect the wiring and breaker for damage like fraying and burn marks. You can have damaged wiring and switches replaced when needed to avoid power problems with your unit.

9. Motor Burnout

A burned-out motor in your HVAC unit not only inconveniences you. It can also cost you money to repair or replace.

A burned HVAC motor causes several issues, such as reduced or no airflow, excessive vibration, and a burning odor coming from inside the unit. A new HVAC motor can cost several hundred dollars or more to replace.

10. Blower Problems

A new HVAC blower can also cost you hundreds of dollars. You could experience a lack of airflow when the blower malfunctions. Your unit may also experience inconsistent air speeds.

Troubleshooting this part requires the use of specialized equipment like a multimeter. Rather than risk the blower going out, you can have this part inspected and serviced regularly.

11. Compressor Issues

The compressor in your HVAC unit compresses refrigerant gas, circulates refrigerant throughout the system, and enables your unit’s cooling effect. When it malfunctions, it can cause your unit to make loud screeching noises.

It can also cause the system’s circuit breaker to trip and diminish the airflow in your home. Depending on the size and brand of your HVAC system, it can cost you several hundred dollars to buy a new air compressor.

12. Capacitor Problems

Routine maintenance prevents issues with your unit’s capacitors. These parts provide the jolt of energy to start your system.

They also stabilize the voltage and reduce power fluctuations while your unit runs. Routine tune-ups minimize problems like humming and reduced air output.

13. Heat Exchanger Cracks

A faulty heat exchanger can lead to soot and water building up at the base of your unit. It can also cause your system to give off gas or burning odors.

A cracked heat exchanger can cause corrosion, as well as unusual noises when your furnace turns off. This part can also cost thousands of dollars to buy and replace.

14. Pilot Light Ignition Problems

The pilot light serves as the ignition source for the furnace’s main burner. When it fails to ignite, it can cause an incomplete combustion of natural gas, releasing carbon monoxide into your home.

Ensuring the pilot ignites properly requires preventative measures like testing the gas valve. An HVAC technician can inspect and test the pilot light during routine maintenance.

15. Leaky Ductwork

Leaks in your HVAC system’s ductwork let in air and moisture from the outdoors. These elements compromise the indoor temperature and air quality.

They can also cause your system to work harder, raising your utility bills. Sealing openings in and around your ductwork helps your system work better and keeps your indoor environment more comfortable.

16. Unusual Noises

Unusual noises coming from your system can hint at bigger problems within your HVAC unit. These malfunctions can include blocked airflow or motor parts that need lubricating.

They can also include loose parts or broken belts. Preventing unusual noises can require having your system professionally maintained at least once a year.

17. Overheating

Overheating can quickly become an expensive problem. It leads to your unit blowing out hot air and your motor burning up.

This problem can also force you to pay premium prices to repair the underlying issue or replace your entire system. Routine maintenance costs less and minimizes the risk of your unit overheating.

Benefit From Our Routine HVAC Maintenance Services

At Hoff Heating & AC, we serve the O’Fallon, MO service area as a Premier Lennox dealer. Our locally owned business has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and won the Super Service Award from Angi’s List in 2017 and 2018. As a member of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America, we employ experienced NATE-certified HVAC technicians who can competently maintain your home’s heating and air conditioning system. Contact us today to learn more about our maintenance and other professional HVAC services!