Why Your HVAC Unit Isn’t Working | 4 Things That Cause HVAC Issues
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Posted April 15, 2018
Having a working HVAC unit is essential for two very big reasons – the comfort of your home and the size of your energy bill. For you to get the most cost-savings, efficiency, and lifespan out of your unit, everything must be fully operational. We’ve broken down the four main things that cause HVAC issues and why your HVAC unit isn’t working.
1. Dirt Buildup
Before you panic that your HVAC unit isn’t working, simply check to make sure you’ve got a clean system. If you notice a drop in efficiency, it can be as simple as a little extra dirt and grime build up. When you’ve got excess dirt in your system, your home won’t heat and cool as quickly or evenly as it should. Your indoor air quality will also see a drastic reduction meaning you might see more asthma and allergy related symptoms. Dirt and grime add wear and tear to each component of your HVAC system.
The first spot to clean is your air filters. You’ll easily be able to see all of the dust and dirt on the air filters if they are due for a change. Make sure you are changing your filters every 1-3 months (depending on the size of your home) and that you are buying the appropriate grade of filter to clean up your air efficiently. You can learn more about what you need in our air filtration blog. Heat pump condenser coils are another area to check. Dirty coils can degrade air flow capacity and significantly reduce efficiency. Follow our heat pump condenser guide to clean your coils properly.
2. Age of Equipment
Have you noticed that over time your house has felt less and less comfortable? If this is the case, your unit may be nearing the end of its lifespan. Unfortunately, HVAC equipment can’t last forever – even with proper care, you can only extend the life by a few years. Many homeowners replace their HVAC units after roughly 10-15 years for a new, more efficient model. The more maintenance you perform, the longer your system can last. If your unit is nearing the end, and you don’t feel like it’s running as well as it should, then consider replacing your system.
3. Poor Installation
When your HVAC unit isn’t installed correctly, it can start running inefficiently. If this happens, you’ll see it reflected in really high energy bills and reduced heating or cooling in your home. This is why it is crucial to choose a professional to install your system.
A few of the other problems you can expect:
- Short circuit: if the electric voltage isn’t correct, then the unit won’t run properly. A short in the circuit will likely occur.
- Poor results: if the unit is too small for the size of your home, then you’ll have issues getting your house to feel comfortable. This could mean uneven heating and cooling. Learn more in our blog on how to buy the right size unit for your space.
- Uneven heating and cooling: We mentioned hot and cold spots before, but when the ducts aren’t correctly installed you’ll develop air leaks, which means the temperature changes room to room could be drastic.
4. Lack of Maintenance
Your HVAC system is continually working hard to ensure that your home is comfortable. Because of this, it requires a little TLC to ensure that it runs correctly. This means scheduling annual maintenance and cleaning services. These checkups can find minor problems before they turn into major ones that cause your HVAC unit to break down, leaving you without heat or air conditioning. In the summer or winter months, this could be a serious problem! If it’s been a while since you had maintenance performed, you should sign up for an annual inspection to ensure your system is on the right track. The sooner you determine what the problem is, the more likely the repairs can be done affordably.
We know that having your HVAC unit working properly is a big part of your comfort at home. That’s why we want to make it as easy as possible to maintain your unit. Even though this list of four issues doesn’t cover all of your HVAC unit problems, they are some of the most common HVAC issues we see. As always, feel free to reach out to us at Hiller with any questions or concerns about your unit.
As part of the Happy Hiller Club, you’ll be able to schedule precision tune-ups and preventative maintenance to ensure that your heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical are all running smoothly along with additional discounts that your wallet will appreciate. Visit our HHC page to learn more about this program and sign up today!
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