HVAC Technicians rely on their technical knowledge and manual skills to repair, install, maintain, and service residential and commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units. While some technicians hold bachelor’s degrees or self-learn through on the job training programs, others rely solely on on-the-job training programs for certification.
Preventative maintenance is key when it comes to keeping your air conditioning system in top shape, and fixing any existing problems the right way is essential to keeps your machine running efficiently – so read the article below to learn about several common issues and why you should call in the pros.
Thermostat Issues
Your thermostat is an indispensable part of your HVAC system that plays an integral role in setting and communicating desired temperatures to your air conditioner. However, when this component malfunctions it can lead to excessive cooling equipment use, increasing energy bills significantly and placing additional strain on units themselves.
Though it can be disconcerting when your HVAC system ceases functioning as intended, minor thermostat problems are typically easily identifiable and remedied. Start by checking your thermostat settings; ensure its set to cool during summer and heat during winter and make sure the system is turned on – if this doesn’t help contact a specialist HVAC specialist as soon as possible.
If the display on your thermostat has gone completely dark or features don’t seem to work correctly, there may be an electrical power problem at play (https://www.cnet.com/home/smart-home/what-to-do-when-your-thermostat-is-wrong/). Replacing batteries might solve this issue; otherwise, check your breaker box and turn back on any switches controlling it that might control it instead.
Another possibility is that your thermostat is not getting an appropriate signal from your HVAC system, possibly due to damage or disconnection of its high voltage wire connecting it with it. An experienced professional can replace or reconnect this cable and ensure it remains connected correctly with the thermostat.
Dirty Air Filter
A lot of HVAC technicians frequently see costly AC repairs that could have been avoided with simple maintenance measures like air filter replacement – this being a common one. A dirty filter restricts airflow through an air handler and may cause it to overheat or short cycle (a state in which constant switching between cooling and heating occurs).
If your air ducts seem dirtier than normal, chances are your HVAC system’s air filters haven’t been replaced as frequently as needed. This is an easy job for the pros at Fox Heating & Air Conditioning, so try giving them a call. A dirty air filter during the summer months could actually damage your A/C unit and make cooling your home harder than intended.
Dirty air filters can significantly diminish the overall efficiency of your HVAC system by forcing its blower fan to work harder to maintain airflow, increasing energy consumption and driving up utility bills.
Dirty Ducts
Over time, your ducts can become dirty for various reasons. This includes exposure to cigarette smoke, cooking fumes and cleaning agents that release particles into the air; these particles settle inside your ducts and around vents where they eventually form an unsightly layer of dust that eventually gets cleared away when your heating and cooling system operates.
Dirty ducts pose another significant danger – moisture accumulation that results in mold growth can quickly lead to allergies for asthmatics. If your family seems sick more frequently, this could be a telltale sign that it’s time to have their ducts professionally cleaned.
Clean ducts can prevent your HVAC unit from having to work harder than necessary in order to reach the temperature you have selected on your thermostat, thereby leading to higher energy costs than usual and justifying regular duct cleanings as another reason to get them serviced regularly.
Keep in mind that your HVAC system is a significant investment and you should have it serviced by an accredited technician at least every 3-5 years to ensure it runs efficiently, thereby cutting your energy costs and saving you money on heating/cooling bills.
Low Refrigerant Levels
Reducing refrigerant levels to an ineffective level prevents your AC system from efficiently cooling your house, leading to higher energy bills and costly repairs for your air conditioning unit. If this sounds familiar, contact a professional immediately for an AC tune up; they will be able to identify any problems which are contributing to low refrigerant levels while refilling them as necessary.
According to this video, a hissing or bubbling noise is another sure sign that your refrigerant levels are low, usually caused by leaks in your system that need fixing. An HVAC technician can use special gauges to assess pressure and temperature within your system as well as dye to easily identify leaks in refrigerants.
As another indicator that there may be an issue with your refrigerant system, when you discover ice on the evaporator coil you know something is amiss. This typically indicates improper flow through the coil which leads to moisture freezing off. You could attempt to scrape away at this with scrapers but ideally contact an HVAC specialist immediately as they will be able to quickly resolve and recharge your refrigerant levels quickly and easily.
