5 Common Causes of HVAC Breakdowns
Your HVAC system is the heart of your home comfort system. When it breaks down, you and your family are left without sufficient cooling in the heat of the summer or heating in the cold of winter. HVAC units are usually very efficient and rarely need repair. However, there are a number of common causes of HVAC system breakdowns. While it is unlikely that your unit will experience any of these problems when they are properly maintained, it’s very helpful for you to learn the most common causes of HVAC breakdowns and how to deal with them.
Dirty air filter
Perhaps one of the most common causes of HVAC breakdowns is a dirty air filter. A dirty air filter causes your HVAC unit to have to work harder because of the lack of proper airflow. It also reduces the efficiency of your system and causes it to run longer thereby shortening its life expectancy. If you forget to clean or change your filters regularly, then that may cause your HVAC unit to break.
In order to prevent dirty air filters from damaging your system, it’s best to have the filters cleaned or replaced regularly. It’s best to replace your filters every month or two, depending on how often you use your unit. If you have pets or live in a dusty environment, then you may need to take care of your filters every week.
Clogged Condensate Drain Line
Similar to the HVAC filter, your drainage line can be clogged with dirt, dust, and other external elements from your home. When your drainage line is blocked, you’ll notice leaks along the sides or back of your unit. This can cause damage to your AC system, furnace, or other things around the system.
The best way for you to prevent this problem from affecting you and your HVAC system is to observe proper maintenance. You should also make it a habit to clean the condensate drain line of your AC. The most ideal thing you could do is have a professional HVAC technician do it for you to make sure that the job is done right.
Lack of proper maintenance
Your HVAC system is made out of many different moving parts that are essential to its function. Over time, these parts wear down and cause the system to malfunction. If your unit hasn’t been serviced regularly, then it would be best to schedule an appointment with experts like American Home Water and Air. The longer you wait to get your unit serviced, the greater the chance is that it will break down. If your unit has already broken down, then it would be wise to get it repaired as soon as possible to prevent damaging your system any further.
Faulty thermostat
Thermostats are important parts of your HVAC systems as they allow you to control the temperature of your home. A faulty thermostat can also cause your HVAC system to stop functioning properly. Broken thermostats can cause your HVAC systems to cycle on and off frequently and make it seem like your HVAC units have problems. Over time, thermostats can break down and cause you to lose your settings. You may need to consider getting a replacement if ever your thermostat stops working properly.
Refrigerant leak
Refrigerant leaks can cause your air conditioning units to function inefficiently and ineffectively. If you’re encountering a refrigerant leak, you might notice that your cooling system is cycling for longer periods and isn’t cooling as much. You might also notice that you’re spending more on your energy bills.
Each air conditioning unit uses a certain volume of refrigerant to keep your house cool. With a well-functioning AC unit, the refrigerant should not leak. If ever your HVAC system shows signs that its refrigerant is leaking, then there’s probably some sort of damage somewhere in the unit and it would be best to call a technician immediately to repair your unit and recharge the refrigerant.
Final Words
These are just some of the possible causes of HVAC breakdowns which you can prevent by observing proper maintenance. If ever you encounter any of these problems, make sure to take swift action to prevent further damage and prevent incurring any further costs than necessary. If you have no prior experience in troubleshooting and repairing HVAC systems, then it would be best to hire a professional to do the job.
