Signs of a Malfunctioning HVAC System

HVAC systems are a crucial appliance in every home. It is responsible for ensuring a healthy and comfortable environment inside the home. The HVAC system regulates the temperature around the house and lasts for several years if properly maintained. 

This comfortable environment is stripped if the air conditioning and heating system fails to perform efficiently. A malfunctioning HVAC system often results in discomfort, health problems, and so on. But there are quite a few signs of a bad HVAC system, including poor airflow, strange sounds, and so on, that would help you get ahead of stuff.

In this guide, AC repair, Allen, TX experts will explain the symptoms of a malfunctioning HVAC system. 

Signs of a Malfunctioning HVAC System

HVAC systems display signs and symptoms which indicate a malfunctioning system. Check out the top symptoms that ensure the HVAC is not faulty.

Poor Airflow:

Poor airflow is typically the most common sign that the heating or cooling system of your home is not working properly. The problem occurs due to several reasons, such as a broken blower fan, dirty or clogged air filters, blocked ducts, and many more. These issues restrict the flow of air, which results in poor airflow. 

As a result, the overall efficiency of the HVAC system will take a hit. This will cause the system to work significantly harder to cool or heat up the place properly. 

Unusual Sounds:

Unusual sounds when the HVAC system is operating signal a severe issue. Oftentimes, the parts or components inside the air conditioning and heating system become loose or get damaged due to wear or tear. 

These damaged components make loud and strange noises as they bang or rattle against other components inside the system. Ignoring these unusual sounds can lead to severe damage to the HVAC system in the future. 

Incorrect Readings On The Thermostat:

Undoubtedly, the thermostat is a crucial part of the HVAC system. It reads the temperature of the system and surroundings to turn the HVAC on/off and adjust the temperature accordingly. However, if the thermostat is malfunctioning, it will not be able to take correct readings.  

The incorrect readings will prevent the system from working efficiently and cause the HVAC system to work harder than regular. In cases like these, getting the HVAC checked by a professional contractor from a reputed HVAC company like Green Leaf Air is important to decide whether to repair or replace.

Bad/Unpleasant Odor:

Oftentimes, mold, bacteria, and mildew make their homes in the HVAC systems or ducts in the home. When the HVAC system operates, mold or mildew spreads foul or unpleasant odors around the home. This makes the environment inside the house uncomfortable. Not only that, but it also worsens the air quality and can lead to diseases such as asthma, allergies, etc. 

Excessive Energy Bills:

If you notice a sudden and unexplainable rise in the amount on your energy bills, it is a symptom of a bad HVAC system. If the air conditioning and heating system is not working properly, the efficiency of the system decreases. This causes the system to work harder and consume more electricity to heat up or cool the same amount of space. As a result, the increased consumption of energy leads to unusually high electricity bills. 

Uneven Temperatures:

One of the main reasons why we have HVAC systems in homes is it maintains an even temperature throughout the house. However, the temperature distribution becomes uneven if the HVAC system does not operate efficiently. Typically, clogged air ducts or filters and bad thermostats are responsible for the trouble. However, incorrect sizing of the HVAC system can also contribute to the issue. 

Short Cycling:

The thermostat connected to the system is usually responsible for adjusting the temperature and turning the HVAC system on and off. Short cycling of an HVAC system means that the heating or cooling systems turn on and off automatically on a frequent basis. This usually occurs due to a faulty thermostat or a bad compressor. Short cycling results in uneven temperature distribution, faster wear or tear of components, and high electricity bills. 

Leaking Refrigerant:

In order for the HVAC system to operate properly, it needs a certain amount of refrigerant in the system. However, the refrigerant often leaks out of the system, and this can be a sign of a bad HVAC system. This leakage can lead to a decreased efficiency of the heating and cooling system and can cause electricity bills to skyrocket. 

In addition to that, the leaking refrigerant can result in several other issues. These include a damaged compressor, uneven cooling or heating, and so on. 

Excess Humidity:

Excessive humidity inside the home can make the environment extremely uncomfortable to live in. This also indicates a malfunctioning HVAC system in your home. High humidity often results in mold growth inside the house, which can worsen the overall air quality indoors. 

Bad air quality can create several health problems, such as nausea, headaches, and so on. The problem with excessive humidity usually occurs when the dehumidifier is faulty or when the HVAC system is smaller than the required size. 

Conclusion:

Surviving in the Texas heat without a perfectly functioning heating or cooling system is next to impossible. However, the HVAC systems encounter issues and problems over time which impact the performance. But it shows several signs that indicate the heating or cooling system problem. 

Make sure that you pay attention to the symptoms of a bad HVAC system. This will help you to diagnose the damage or problem at an early age. On top of that, it will allow homeowners to solve the issues and protect the HVAC system from additional damage. Do not hesitate to ask for professional help from AC repair, Allen, TX experts when you notice any of these signs.