Certain HVAC issues just crop up over and over. Some may be easy for the homeowner to remedy, while others may take a little more finesse, requiring the attention of a trained HVAC technician.
Learn which common HVAC issues you’re most likely to encounter with your system and what to do about them.
Dirty Air Filter
Here’s hoping your air filter is located in a place where you can easily access it and change it. If not, schedule a visit from an HVAC tech. Changing your filter as recommended by the manufacturer will keep your system running smoothly, cutting down on energy use and making your equipment last longer.
Dirty Coils
Some homeowners know their way around their air conditioners well enough to clean the indoor and outdoor coils, but even if that’s the case, make sure your HVAC tech inspects the coils during spring maintenance and cleans them as needed. Dirty coils make it harder for the A/C to cool your home and remove moisture.
Condensate Drain
This is the part of your HVAC system that gets rid of excess moisture from the home’s return air so that the relative humidity isn’t uncomfortably high. Moisture condenses on the indoor coils and is sent through the drain outdoors. Over time, the drain can become obstructed with plugs of dust, debris, fungus, or other particles. The HVAC tech should always inspect the drain and run bleach through it during maintenance. Otherwise, you could experience flooding in your home.
Dirty Furnace Burner
During the combustion process, gases leave residue on the burner that can cause the flame that heats the air to burn improperly (orange flame instead of blue). The burner should be inspected during your fall maintenance visit and cleaned if necessary.
Thermostat Malfunction
Often a malfunctioning thermostat requires nothing more than a change of batteries or reconnecting or replacing wiring. Also, be sure to check that the home’s power is on or that a fuse isn’t blown. If the thermostat is indeed malfunctioning, call your HVAC tech to replace it.
For more common HVAC issues, contact Ace Hardware Home Services of Dayton.
