Just like any other machine, equipment, or appliance you have at home, the HVAC system also needs regular maintenance, including timely repairs. If you do not take care of your system, utility bills go up high and will catch you off guard. But that is not the worse that could happen. Eventually, you may have to face a complete breakdown of your HVAC, which means you are left with no other option but to have it replaced.
So, before that could happen, you must learn how to figure out the signs that your HVAC system needs servicing. Again, the last thing you want is to pay for the huge cost of replacing your system when you could have prevented it from happening in the first place.
1 – Your home feels uncomfortable.
It is time for an HVAC repair if you feel like some areas or rooms in your house no longer has the ideal comfort level. It is either too hot or too cold for your liking, instead of a comfortable temperature you once enjoyed when your HVAC was first installed. There are so many different possible causes for an uncomfortable home. However, all of those reasons are in a way connected to your HVAC system. The most common ones are a leaky or clogged ductwork, broken thermostat, a severely undersized or oversized air conditioning unit, or a malfunctioning fan. Well, there still are more serious problems that only an HVAC technician can figure out.
2 – There’s a strange smell somewhere.
Let’s say it has been awhile since you used the furnace since it is out of season. Now when you finally turn it on after a couple of months of idling, you realize it is emitting some kind of burning smell. It is not a cause for alarm if the odor lasts for a few minutes, but if it stays after a couple of hours, you must immediately turn it off and call the HVAC repair service. If you are using gas for your heating equipment and you believe there is a leak, leave your home immediately and call the fire department.
Furthermore, a strange smell is not only about something burning or a gas leak; it also could be a stale or musty odor brought about by the presence of mold. Aside from the awful smell, the presence of mold causes allergies and could worsen asthma. It can build up in the ductwork, as well as the insulation and drywall areas. If your home has high humidity, it likely is housing mold. This has something to do with your HVAC because it may not be taking enough moisture out of indoor air.
3 – Call a certified HVAC technician if there is frosting or build-up of ice on your HVAC unit.
If you observe that there already is a quick build-up of ice or frost on your air conditioner or heat pump once you use it, it is a sign that airflow may be blocked. Pair this observation with higher utility bills in the past couple of months and there you have it – a damaged system that needs to be addressed right away. The build-up of ice usually is caused by a dirty evaporator coil, low refrigerant level, or another problem that only a professional can figure out. So, when you see one, do not assume that it is normal because it isn’t. What you need to do instead is turn your HVAC unit off and do not use it until the HVAC professional arrives to have a look at it. Also, do not remove the ice since there is a chance you might damage your HVAC in the process.