No matter how well you have care of your property’s HVAC system, the truth of the matter is one day it will start to develop problems and you will have to make a decision. Do you try and fix the issue yourself and hopefully succeed, saving yourself a pretty penny? Or do you call for help, and risk paying for something you easily could have just done yourself? At AFM Heating & Cooling, we understand your confusion and frustration, and therefore have put together a list of common HVAC concerns along with information on how you should handle them.
Inconsistent Temperature
Whether your upstairs is hotter than it should be, or some rooms in your home seem to stay colder than the rest during the winter, inconsistent temperature seems to be one of the most common and frustrating HVAC concerns. Most of the time, blocked, dirty, or clogged air vents are to blame, preventing adequate airflow for heat or air conditioning to every room, to which the simplest fix is making sure your vents are clean and out in the open. However, if after making sure your vents are clear you’re still exhibiting the same problems, the issue might be a leak in your ducts or an HVAC unit that’s not big enough for your home. In a case like this, a professional HVAC specialist will be able to provide effective solutions.
Water Leaks Around Your Unit
If you’re seeing water around your unit and are concerned about a leak, the first thing you should do is try to locate the source. Find a flashlight and take a look underneath your system. If you see a small hole or leak you might be dealing with a simple overflow pan issue – which can be easily resolved by having a skilled HVAC technician install a new one. If it’s not your overflow pan, you might have a clog in your condensate line. This issue may even cause your entire system to shut down, making you think it’s completely broken, but it might just need to be cleared out. If you’re feeling especially brave, you may be able to try and vacuum the clog out yourself (just make sure you turn the unit all the way off first), which may or may not work, or you can have a professional come out and quickly take care of it for you, which definitely will.
Weird Or Loud Noises
HVAC systems can make all kinds of strange noises. A hissing sound may indicate a leak or loose filter, while a banging sound may indicate a broken piece of equipment. The best thing you can do if you hear a strange noise is to turn off your system and make sure your filters and everything else are clean and free of debris. If the noises persist or get worse, and you suspect something inside the system may be damaged, you should turn off your systems and contact an HVAC specialist immediately.
Unreliable Heat
If your heat isn’t kicking on right away when you need it, there could be a few things going on. For one, check to make sure your thermostat is set to the correct desired temperature and that there isn’t any direct sunlight interfering with its temperature gauge. Secondly, check to make sure your pilot light is lit and/or you gas meter is turned on and supplying enough fuel to your system. If your thermostat is set correctly and you’ve already inspected and/or tried re-lighting your pilot light to no avail, you will definitely want to contact an HVAC professional. Just make sure you turn off your gas if your furnace isn’t working properly to avoid any gas leaking into your home.
Unreliable Air Conditioning
Whether your problem is your unit’s evaporator coils, or your compressor unit, you will likely need professional help if your air conditioning starts becoming unreliable. Even if the problem is just a lot of gunk clogging up the system, this type of deep cleaning is often best left to the professionals who have experience maneuvering within such complex machines.
Busted Motor
If your HVAC system’s motor has simply stopped working for no apparent reason, you should first determine if the problem is because your breaker/fuses are getting to hot and tripping. If the issue is not tripped breakers, your best bet is to have a professional come out and take a look. You may need to have your motor replaced entirely, so getting help as soon as possible is key.
Steep Utility Bills
If suddenly your utility bills are much higher than they normally are, your problem is likely that your system is working harder to compensate for a lack of adequate airflow caused by a dirty filter. If changing your filter regularly isn’t helping, you might have a bigger problem that requires a professional’s touch.
Just remember, if your HVAC problems ever exceed your knowledge or capabilities, our highly qualified air quality specialists at AFM Heating & Cooling are always here for you! Call AFM Heating & Cooling at 734.464.6700 for a free consultation, or simply fill out the form in the sidebar, today.
