HVAC systems are incredibly complex and have a large number of components that all need to work properly for the system to cool or heat effectively. Almost every type of HVAC system will eventually need at least some repairs throughout its life. Putting off any repairs is always a bad idea since it can lead to increased energy bills or cause your heating or AC to suddenly quit working altogether. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the issues that can lead to an HVAC system failing or not performing properly and also look at the signs that indicate you need a professional inspection.
Common Reasons Your Air Conditioning Can Stop Working
Most air conditioning systems stop working or no longer cool effectively due to a lack of maintenance or simply as a result of age. Annual maintenance helps avoid the majority of common problems since the AC technician will always fully inspect your HVAC and make sure to clean important components like the evaporator coil, condenser coil and blower. There will almost always be some components that end up wearing out over the life of your AC system, and an annual inspection can identify any parts that are wearing out so you can replace them before they cause a major problem.
Keeping the coils and blower clean and replacing your air filter regularly can also make a huge difference in avoiding problems like your AC freezing up or the outdoor unit overheating. Both of these issues are an especially big concern since they could result in major damage that requires expensive repairs or potentially forces you to replace your AC condenser.
Issues That Can Prevent Your Furnace From Heating
Annual maintenance and regular filter changes are equally as important for ensuring that your home’s furnace continues working properly and lasts as long as possible. If you don’t change the air filter often enough, your furnace may end up constantly overheating. Overheating is an extremely serious issue since it can damage the wiring and other sensitive components. Even worse, it can lead to the heat exchanger in your furnace cracking, which can allow carbon monoxide and other harmful fumes to leak into your ductwork and get circulated throughout your house. Replacing a cracked heat exchanger is also by far the most expensive repair a furnace can need and is so expensive that most people just opt to replace the entire furnace instead.
Cleaning the burners and the flame sensor is equally as important for ensuring the furnace runs when it should and heats effectively. If the burners get too dirty, the gas flowing out of them may not fully combust. That means the flames will produce far less heat. There is also a much higher risk of the furnace producing carbon monoxide when the gas doesn’t combust completely and doesn’t burn cleanly. A dirty flame sensor can also be a serious issue since it can result in the furnace frequently or always shutting off after just a few seconds. That’s because the gas valve will always close as a safety measure if the flame sensor doesn’t immediately sense that the burners are lit.
Signs You Need HVAC Repairs or Replacement
The most obvious sign that you need an HVAC inspection is if your heating or air conditioning suddenly won’t turn on when it’s supposed to. This can happen for a variety of different reasons from a failed unit to electrical issues like a damaged or loose wire, worn-out capacitor, failed contractor, etc. It can also indicate that there is some issue with your thermostat and it either needs to be recalibrated or replaced.
Another sure sign you should schedule an inspection is if your heating or AC starts working less effectively and runs much more even in milder weather. In this case, you’ll also notice that your electricity or gas bill is higher than usual when you get your next bill.
Loud or unusual noises are also not something to ignore since this can indicate an issue that could end up causing your HVAC to suddenly give out or lead to your furnace, AC or heat pump not lasting as long as it should. For instance, a squealing or screeching sound often indicates that the bearings that drive the blower, AC condenser fan or AC compressor are wearing out and need to be replaced immediately. If you wait to replace the bearings and they completely wear out, you’ll likely end up with the motor burning out and have to pay far more in repairs.
If your HVAC isn’t working properly and you need to have it inspected, you can count on the experts at Queen City Heating & Cooling. Our team specializes in repairs and maintenance and can work on every make and model. We’re also the company to turn to if you have a failed unit you need to replace or just want to upgrade to a more energy-efficient option. If you need to schedule any heating or air conditioning service in Nixa or a surrounding area, give us a call to get the reliable, expert assistance you deserve.
