Did you realize the average homeowner spends around $170 per month on general maintenance and repairs? Providing vital systems like your plumbing and HVAC unit with proper maintenance can reduce the frequency and severity of the repair issues you experience.
Some homeowners make the mistake of calling in HVAC professionals to fix issues they could have easily handled on their own. Before you call professionals for assistance with HVAC problems, consider the following helpful tips for diagnosing these issues by yourself.
Diagnosing Common Home HVAC Issues
1. A Dirty Air Filter Can Cause Lots of HVAC Problems
Is your HVAC unit’s evaporator coil constantly freezing up? Do you feel like the airflow coming out of your vents is significantly weaker than usual? If you answered yes to both of these questions, you may need to check the condition of your unit’s air filter.
Over time, an HVAC air filter will collect a lot of dust and dirt. If this filter is not changed out on a regular basis, it can restrict airflow and cause major problems for your unit.
In essence, a dirty air filter suffocates your HVAC unit and prohibits it from running at full capacity. If you are using pleated air filters for your HVAC unit, then be sure to change them out every 2 months or so.
2. Assess Your Thermostat Settings
There are times when the issues your HVAC unit has will be caused by thermostat problems. If your HVAC unit won’t turn on or you feel hot air coming through your vents, the first place you need to go is to your thermostat.
Some homeowners make the mistake of setting their thermostat on heat when they really want cold air. When the unit simply won’t come on, it can be due to a faulty thermostat.
If you are unable to get the root cause of your HVAC problems, consulting with an experienced company like Metro Energy Savers is your best bet. With their assistance, you can get your HVAC repair issues diagnosed and fixed in a timely manner.
3. Issues Caused By Circuit Breakers
Did you realize that the power your HVAC unit needs to operate is provided by a circuit breaker in your home’s electrical panel? If these breakers are overloaded, they will cut the power going to the unit immediately.
When an HVAC unit refuses to come on, it is usually caused by electrical issues. If you are able to fix this problem by simply turning on the circuit breaker, then there is no need to dig any further.
However, if this issue continues to persist, you may need to call in an electrician to take a look. Faulty wiring or a bad breaker are both difficult to diagnose and dangerous to fix. This is why entrusting this work to professionals is a wise move.
4. A Dirty Outdoor HVAC Unit Can Cause Functionality issues
Often times, having a dirty outdoor HVAC unit will cause problems like higher than normal energy bills and inadequate cooling. Outdoor units with a layer of dirt on the condenser coil will be unable to work properly.
Inspecting this portion of your unit regularly is a great way to detect these problems early on. The best way to remove this dirt is by using a water hose.
Diagnosing HVAC problems on your own can save you lots of money over time. However, there will be times when hiring professionals to address these issues is essential. The money paid to these professionals will be worth it considering the results they can provide.
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