Your heating and cooling system are an integral part of your home, not only keeping you comfortable but healthy too. When it does not work properly, you notice it quickly and experience a quick uptick in stress.
Fortunately, it does not have to cause that, as problems do not necessarily mean you are left replacing your system. There are a lot of fixes that will cost very little if you know how to do them, and will keep you from an expensive replacement.
But when do you know the difference? Keep reading to learn how to tell what you can do, when repairs might be needed, and when you may be considering a major replacement.
Restricted Airflow
Low airflow is one of the most common problems for your HVAC system. It can create major problems when not addressed but is also very simple to repair.
Your furnace filters should be the first thing you look at when you notice your system is not passing air properly. If your filters are dirty, they will restrict the flow of air coming in to be warmed and recirculated.
There are also clogs in the system that may cause restricted airflow. This could be at the heat exchanger, evaporator coil, clogs in the ducts, and a dirty circulating fan. A professional system cleaning can easily take care of these problems.
A more serious condition that can restrict airflow in your air conditioner is low refrigerant. Continue reading below for more on that. (continue below)
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Low Refrigerant
An Air conditioner is a sealed system, and so should not need recharging. However, it is common for aging systems to develop very small leaks. When there is not enough refrigerant in the system, what is still in the system will freeze.
This frozen block will restrict airflow and put incredible strain on your system. If you have a minor leak, a simple recharge may be sufficient. However, keep an eye on it because small leaks may very well lead to larger leaks in the future.
If you have an older system that is still running R-22 refrigerant, it is time to look at a replacement. This refrigerant has been banned from production. What little is still on the market is extremely expensive to have put in the system. It may actually be less expensive to have a completely new air conditioning system that runs the current R-410A. A professional HVAC technician in Clarksville can help install a quality system.
Air Not Cool or Warm Enough
When your air is not the right temperature, you jump into action to find out what is going on. After all, what good is the system if you cannot properly heat and cool your home.
The causes of such a problem can be varied, and it is important to know when it is appropriate to repair or replace your system. Here are some common causes:
- Faulty thermostat or low batteries.
- Low refrigerant level in the AC system.
- Restricted airflow to the heating or cooling coils.
- Faulty system sensor.
- Leaks in the ductwork.
- Obstructed or blocked registers.
- Faulty capacitor.
- Obstructions around the air conditioning unit.
Once you have checked for obstructions and your thermostat, it is time to call an HVAC technician in Clarksville.
Frequent System Cycling
One thing many people fail to recognize quickly is the system cycling on and off frequently. The first clue may actually be an increase in heating and cooling bills. This usually accompanies the system not heating or cooling to the temperature desired.
Like many other symptoms, there are many possible causes. On a rare occasion, it may be that the size unit you have is not sufficient for your space. It could also be that you are experiencing extremely hot or cold weather.
Sometimes this frequent cycling is due to problems with your thermostat not registering temperature properly, or the limiters in it being maladjusted. Your system may also be low on refrigerant, causing it to not operate efficiently.
Constantly Making Repairs
When you are constantly making repairs, it is time to evaluate whether to continue to repair or replace your system. It is a fine balance between continuing to help your system keep attempting repairs. At some point, the system is not worth the repairs needed.
First, evaluate the age of your system. The average furnace and air conditioner will last 15-20 years when properly maintained. If you are nearing or have exceeded that service life, you may want to consider a replacement. If you have an system using the banned refrigerant, you may also want to consider upgrading.
When you have components not working correctly, it will put immense strain on the rest of the system. When you make repairs to keep your system running optimally, you will not have to replace your system as quickly.
Call an Experienced Professional if Your System is Malfunctioning
Do you have an extremely old system? Are you seeing or hearing things that weren’t there before? If you suspect that the system is not working properly, you should call a professional as soon as possible.
A few signs that the system is in trouble include abnormal noises or smells, an extremely cold home, expensive bills, and frequent shutoffs. Regardless of the concern, an experienced professional can solve the problem and perform the necessary repairs before an emergency occurs.
Prevention and maintenance costs are much more reasonable than having a costly repair later. Whether you live in Clarksville, TN or somewhere close by, the professionals at DOC Heating and Cooling are ready to help. The highly-trained technicians are available 24/7 for emergency calls and for regular maintenance to help keep your heating & cooling system running smoothly.
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Whether you live in Clarksville, TN or somewhere close by we are ready to help. Our highly trained technicians are available 24/7 to keep your heating & cooling system running smoothly.
Thanks for helping me choose between a heating system repair or replacement by proper assessment of the damage. I remember back in February when it was still cold season, our furnace has been making strange noises, which I think is an indicator of a faulty system. Now that we have time for repairs, it’s good to know that calling an experienced professional is a great choice since one can perform the necessary repair before a serious issue occurs. After reading your piece, perhaps what I need is a repair.