The HVAC system keeps your home or business toasty warm in winter and cool in summer but can also cause headaches if something goes wrong. Fortunately, these problems are usually simple to repair or avoid with regular maintenance work and checkups by a trusted professional.
The most common problems are listed below, along with their solutions.
Overflowing Ducts and Drain Pans
Seeing puddles around your HVAC Ottawa system indicates condensation is building up inside your home. Condensation is a healthy side-effect of your AC unit cooling the air, but it can lead to water damage in your home if it isn’t properly managed.
The problem is usually caused by grime or algae clogging the drain line. This leads to the drip pan filling up, overflowing, and damaging your unit.
This problem is common; you can fix it with a simple DIY project. First, shut off the power to your unit and remove the access panel. Next, pour a gallon of water into the pan to ensure it is unclogged and drains freely. If it does, you can save yourself the cost of a professional service call.
Frozen Lines and Coils
Frozen lines and coils are a common problem caused by a lack of routine maintenance. When air filters are clogged, it restricts warm air from entering the evaporator coils, which eventually causes them to freeze over.
A technician will need to replace the air filter and clean out the evaporator coils to get the system up and running again.
It’s also important to make sure that all supply vents are open. Closing them will reduce HVAC function, ductwork leaks, and higher energy bills. Switching your thermostat from cooling to fan mode while the coils defrost is also a good idea to help speed up the process.
Dirty Air Filters
Over time the air filter in your HVAC system becomes clogged with dirt, dust, and debris. If this problem goes unchecked, it causes contaminated air to be recirculated back into your ductwork and throughout the home. It also restricts airflow and makes your blower fan work harder to bring in air. This increased strain and extra energy usage will result in higher monthly bills.
Dirty air filters also allow contaminants like pollen, dander, and dirt to spread around your home. Not only does this increase dusting, vacuuming, and other cleaning tasks, but it can lead to more serious respiratory problems and health issues for you and your family. Changing your air filter is a small price to prolong the life of one of your biggest investments.
Faulty Thermostats
Often, when an HVAC system doesn’t turn on or respond to the thermostat, something is wrong with the thermostat. Thermostats are the “brains” that tell the system how to operate, so if you are having issues with yours, it is best to have a professional look at it.
The first thing to do is ensure the power switch is on and the batteries are good. Then you should remove the cover and see if any loose wires need to be tightened. If you do this yourself, be careful; touching any electrical components can be dangerous.
Another problem is when the system seems to run continuously, this can cause the blower to circulate air constantly. You can fix this by adjusting the auto fan setting on the thermostat.
Uneven Temperature Distribution
If you notice that certain rooms in your home or commercial property are warmer than others, uneven heating and cooling distribution may be the culprit. Blocked vents or a poorly-insulated duct system usually cause this problem.
If this is the case, simply unblocking the vents in these rooms should solve the issue. However, it would help if you also considered installing a zoning system that gives you more control over your heating and cooling distribution.
Another cause of uneven temperature distribution is a worn-out contactor or capacitor. These components are found in the compressor and blower motors. They engage when cooling is needed and create an electrical connection to start those motors. When these parts wear out, arcing and pitting can form that prevent the motors from starting.
Leave a Reply