When it comes to your heating and cooling systems, each system should receive maintenance by a licensed San Marcos, CA, HVAC technician at least once a year. It’s common to wonder if paying for yearly maintenance is important. We’re going to share with you some of the most common HVAC issues that are typically avoidable with routine professional maintenance.
Lack of Cold Air
One of the worst AC problems to have during the summer months is a lack of cold air coming out of your vents. While this can be due to various issues, one that could be prevented by regular maintenance is a refrigerant leak. When an HVAC technician performs service on your cooling system, they will check over the coils to make sure there is no refrigerant leaking. They will also top off any low refrigerant levels to ensure that you get adequate cooling all summer.
Malfunctioning Thermostat
A common reason that your HVAC system may be working inefficiently is due to a malfunctioning thermostat. When your thermostat isn’t calibrated correctly, it can cause your HVAC system to run more often than necessary. This translates to higher utility bills. When you have a professional service your system on a regular basis, they’ll test your thermostat to ensure that it’s calibrated correctly. They may even recommend that you upgrade your current model to something that is more efficient and convenient.
Inefficient Cooling
Your air conditioning system has coils that are filled with refrigerant. Heat is transferred through the coil and into the refrigerant to be transported outside of your home during the hot summer months. When the coil is dirty, it’s much more difficult for the heat transfer process to take place. This can leave your cooling system running extremely inefficiently.
Your air conditioning system may feel like it’s hardly producing any cold air. This whole problem could be avoided by simply having regular maintenance performed on your HVAC system. During your maintenance appointment, your HVAC technician will work to clean the coils off with an industrial-strength cleaner. This ensures that they’re dirt-free and ready to work as efficiently as possible during the scorching summer months.
Ducting Issues
Your ductwork is an essential part of your home’s heating and cooling system. When it becomes clogged with particulates and debris, such as pet dander and dust, it can restrict the flow of air. This can significantly reduce the effectiveness of your HVAC system over time. When you have a regular inspection by an HVAC technician, they will check your ducting to see if it’s in need of cleaning. Additionally, they’ll check to see if there are any noticeable leaks in your ductwork that need to be addressed.
Clogged Drain
As your cooling system works to remove heat from the air, it also removes excess humidity. This humidity shows up in the form of water droplets on your system’s coils. The water drops off the coils and down into the drain pan, where it’s diverted down the drain. When this drain becomes clogged with unwanted debris over time, this can cause a backup of water in your drain pan.
Eventually, this will lead to a puddle of water at your air conditioning unit. During your annual maintenance service, your HVAC technician will check to ensure that your drain is free from excess debris, so you never have to experience this unfavorable situation.
Pilot Light Issues
If you have a gas-powered furnace, then it utilizes a pilot light. This light is responsible for igniting the gas that is released into the ignition chamber. Unfortunately, the safety sensor inside your furnace can develop a buildup of tar on its eye over time, thanks to the natural burning process. When your sensor is dirty, it can restrict your furnace’s ability to start. With regular maintenance, you can ensure that the sensor inside your furnace is clean and won’t prevent your furnace from working properly.
Blocked Air Vents
For your heating or cooling system to work effectively, all the vents throughout your home must have adequate airflow. If just one of your vents is obstructed, it can cause inefficiencies in maintaining a proper temperature inside your home. When you have an experienced HVAC technician perform maintenance on your system, they will walk around to each vent and manually check it for adequate airflow. If there are any restrictions in your ducting or in front of the vent, they’ll let you know so that you can take the appropriate action to eliminate them.
Broken Fan Belt
Each cooling unit will have two fans that work to move air throughout the system. The first is in the indoor air handler unit and is responsible for blowing warm air over the evaporator coils. The second is outside and is responsible for blowing air over the condenser coils. Each of these fans uses a belt with a pulley to operate.
When the belt reaches the end of its lifespan or is not properly cared for, it can shred apart. This will render your cooling system incapable of working properly. Part of professional maintenance service is examining the condition of each fan belt. If the belt is showing any signs of wear, like fraying, your HVAC technician will recommend replacing it to avoid a future system breakdown.
Carbon Monoxide Issues
Both gas and oil-burning furnaces produce carbon monoxide as a byproduct of burning fuel. Typically, these fumes are vented outside of your home with a chimney or stove pipe. However, if there is any damage to your venting or heat exchanger, it can allow toxic carbon monoxide to leak into your home. This is a serious problem that could cause fatalities if not caught in time. An HVAC technician will test your heat exchanger and the air to ensure that there’s no carbon monoxide leaking out of your unit.
Faulty Electrical Connections
The inside of both your heating and cooling systems has an intricate system of wires that work seamlessly to power their various functions. Over time, these electrical connections can work themselves loose and can even become faulty due to excessive corrosion. As part of your routine maintenance service, your chosen HVAC technician will check all your electrical connections to ensure that they’re tight and free from unwanted corrosion.
Poor Indoor Air Quality
There is nothing worse than having allergy flare-ups while trying to relax inside your home. These symptoms can be the result of poor indoor air quality because your HVAC system’s air filter is extremely dirty. A dirty air filter can allow unwanted airborne toxins to recirculate in your indoor air. This can even reduce the efficiency of your system overall. With regular maintenance, your HVAC technician will be sure to replace your dirty air filter so that your system can operate flawlessly.
Expert HVAC Service
Oak Island Heating and Air Conditioning offers expert HVAC service for the entire San Marcos region. We can also help with all your indoor air quality, heat pump, and ductless mini-split needs. Simply contact us today to schedule your next service appointment with one of our highly skilled technicians.
