You may be surprised to know that about three-quarters of homes in the United States have air conditioning. This figure makes sense because very few people are willing to sweat the summer away.
Calling HVACs lifesavers is an understatement. Thanks to these beauties, folks can enjoy cool summers and keep the draught away during winter. Also, we can use air conditioners to improve air quality because ACs filter excess dust and bacteria from the air to only circulate clean air.
In as much as air conditioners are lifesavers, troubleshooting HVAC problems can become a real headache. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a technological expert to troubleshoot the most common problems with HVACs.
This piece will highlight some incredible tips from leading HVAC experts on how to troubleshoot the most common issues with HVACs. That way, you’ll at least have an idea on how to go about it the next time your HVAC makes those weird noises.
The Working Principle of an HVAC
Before getting to the troubleshooting part, it might be helpful to know the underlying working mechanism of a typical air conditioning system. Don’t get your Physics course books yet; we’ll try to keep this explanation as concise and simple as possible.
Your HVAC system applies the same principle as your refrigerator in its operation. Now your HVAC probably has two units, one inside and the other outside the house. Although we typically have many types of HVAC systems.
The outside parts are as follows:
Vents– You’ll mostly find the vents near the ceiling. They distribute cooled or heated air to various rooms across the home. This air comes from the duct system, and these vents generally face downward and should never block.
Refrigerant lines– These are small duct lines that carry the refrigerant in gaseous form. This gas transforms into liquid then moves back to the evaporator coil to become gas again. Heat is lost and gained in this process.
The parts inside your home consist of the following:-
Thermostat– The thermostat is responsible for temperature regulation. It is the part you’ll interact with most as an HVAC owner.
Condensing unit– It is the unit that houses the refrigerant gas. This refrigerant is cooled to liquid then moved to the evaporating coil, where it transforms to gas again.
Evaporator coil– This unit cools down air when you set the thermostat to a lower temperature.
Furnace– The furnace is what brings the whole HVAC system together. The furnace heats the air, which the ducts then distribute to various rooms in your home.
The basic operation of an HVAC involves these processes.
First, air comes from the outside through the vents and ducts. Depending on the thermostat settings, the device will either cool or heat the air to a particular temperature.
This air is then distributed through the duct system to the various rooms. When air pushes into the coils for heating, air displaces from the room to the outside, then back to the system, and the cycle continues.
Troubleshooting HVAC Problems Like the Experts Do
It can be very frustrating when your HVAC doesn’t work as it should. No one likes a stuffy and uncomfortable room. It can be an especially embarrassing situation when you have guests over.
Fortunately, you don’t need to be an HVAC expert to troubleshoot some of the most common problems with your HVAC. All you need is the right tips form the seasoned experts, and you’re good to go.
Here are a couple of resourceful tips for troubleshooting HVAC problems you could try out next time your HVAC is giving you problems.
1. Uneven Cooling
Uneven cooling is a problem most homes face with their HVAC units. You may find that your HVAC cools parts of your home very well but doesn’t do a good job in some parts.
Sometimes it’s not an issue with the unit itself but your home’s sealing. Some regions may not have proper sealing, which allows for cold air to escape.
Turn your AC ON and find a room that remains stuffy even with the AC working. Try sealing the room off to create even more efficient airflow.
2. Filters are Dirty
Dirty filters could affect how your HVAC system works quite significantly. Clean filters allow for better air circulation, which makes for quicker cooling.
To prevent dirty filters, you need to exercise proper HVAC maintenance practices consistently. That way, you’ll never have to worry about your filters getting dirty.
3. Coil Issues
Issues with the coils are pretty common among many HVAC units. Now depending on the severity of these coil issues, you may need to call in the experts.
Hissing noises from the outdoor unit could indicate a leak with the coil. You may also realize an unpleasant smell whenever you turn on the system. If your system also takes a while to kick in, it could also indicate an issue with the evaporating coil.
4. Ignition Problems
There are many causes of ignition problems. The most common is a dirty pilot flame or burners that can cause a pilot outage.
There could also be an issue with the gas supply. Whatever the problem is, it is typically challenging to repair ignition problems by yourself. You’re better off calling an expert to help you fix the issue.
5. Tripped Breakers
Tripped breakers go hand in hand with blown fuses. Your HVAC is an electrical machine with electronic components. Your fuse will most likely trip if the blower overworks.
It is up to you to figure out why the blower is overworking. The most common reason could be dirty air filters. Also remember, the more your blower overworks the more you pay for your power.
It’s best to get to the root of the problem soonest so you can save on your power bills.
Call the Experts When Needed
Undoubtedly you’re now a pro at troubleshooting HVAC problems. Remember to carry out the best maintenance practices and you won’t need to troubleshoot any of these problems.
Not everyone is an HVAC expert, so though you can troubleshoot the problem, you can’t always fix them. Don’t be afraid to call the experts whenever needed. That way, you can get everything fixed up the professional way.
If you need professional HVAC installation, maintenance and repair, contact us today for quick and expedient service.