You should always have your HVAC system inspected and tuned-up by a professional team every year. Skipping these annual services increases the likelihood that you’ll experience problems with it in no time at all! It could also be due to nearness towards its end of lifespan (15 – 25 years).
HVAC airflow problems typically occur when the condenser unit is blocked, jammed, or otherwise obstructed. This device is located outside your home and uses a motorized fan to move air throughout the system.
But since this unit is located outside, it’s one of the most vulnerable components of any HVAC system.
The only way to be sure that your HVAC system is working properly and maintaining the optimal temperature for you home, it’s important find time in between all of life’s distractions. Behind every human-created invention there are some pretty ingenious machines! The same goes with heating/cooling systems – if something doesn’t look right then chances could highly suggest taking care off things before they become worse.
2. Has Your Air Filter Been Replaced?
Did you know that your HVAC’s filter is a necessary component? Most people maintain their HVAC filters because it improves the air quality of their home. However, the filter plays an important role in preventing your system from clogging.
An air filter should be replaced every one to three months, depending on your model and allergies. If you forget to replace the filter or choose not to, air contaminants will damage your system and restrict airflow.
3. Liquids Are Leaking From the HVAC
When your air conditioning isn’t cooling, the first thing you should do is look for leaks. Refrigerants are an important component inside of a device that’s responsible for chilling out homes with cool relief! As this vital liquid refrigerant slips through small punctures or cracks in its container – things will gradually decline in performance until there’s no more freezing cold coming from anywhere near it.
But your AC may be leaking more than refrigerant. Water condenses in the system as part of the heating or cooling process. Normally this water is drained, but the lines are susceptible to cracks or clogs. If you spot a leak in your system and noticed reduced AC airflow, you should contact an HVAC technician.
4. Maybe It’s the Thermostat
Remember that your HVAC doesn’t work alone. When your system is running at odd times — or not at all — your thermostat may be the culprit. A typical thermostat has a lifespan of about ten years, so it’ll likely need a replacement before your HVAC system.
If the timing of your heater or AC is on the fritz, but the airflow and air temperature seem to be fine, take a look at your thermostat. The problem may be that your thermostat needs its batteries replaced. Change the temperature setting of your thermostat to see if it’s properly activating your HVAC system.
5. Your Condenser Coil is Filthy
A condenser coil resides within your outdoor condenser unit. This piece is responsible for dissipating heat from your home. Just like the unit itself, dirt and grime can gather on the coil and impact its performance. This is especially troubling since the condenser coil will run dangerously hot.
You can clean the condenser coil by disconnecting your condenser unit from the power and disabling your HVAC system. Once done, you can hose it off. Since this could damage your system, it’s best to leave the work to a trained HVAC professional.
6. HVAC Problems Come With Strange Noises
An HVAC system is one of the noisiest devices in your home. Thankfully, this means that when HVAC problems occur, you can usually hear them. If anything sounds different about your system, it’s time to troubleshoot the cause.
Squealing often occurs in failing fans and blowers. When belts snap or come loose, you may hear clanking or rattling in the heart of your system. These are some of the most worrying noises that definitely require a professional inspection.
Noises such as hums or whistling tend to be minor HVAC problems, usually related to debris. If you can’t detect the debris or cause, you should also opt for an inspection before the problem becomes worse.
When your HVAC acts up often, it may be time to replace the AC unit completely.
Clogged ducts hamper your system’s airflow. It may just be dust buildup, but sometimes insects and other pests make their homes in your ductwork. Cracks in old ducts could also be hampering the effectiveness of your HVAC system.
If the temperature is not consistent across the rooms of your house, your ducts may be to blame. Take a brief look at your ductwork and inspect it for blockages or holes, or have an inspector do the job for you.
8. Reduced Airflow? Could Be the Blower Fan
Responsible for circulating air throughout your ducts, the blower fan is a susceptible piece of equipment. It’s the main reason why you want to keep your air filter maintained.
Even with good air quality, dust can still accumulate on your fan as years go by. Cleaning a blower fan can be hard work, and it’s a job best left to professionals.
When It Comes to Your HVAC, Don’t Wait
Every homeowner encounters HVAC problems from time to time. The damage — and repair costs — will worsen until they’re repaired. If you’re having difficulty troubleshooting or repairing it yourself, trust in your local HVAC professionals.
Our service technicians have been serving the Santa Fe area for over ten years. Contact us by phone or email to set up your HVAC inspection or repair.
Homeowners are advised to take a proactive approach in maintaining their home’s appliances.
Have you noticed a strange noise coming from your HVAC unit lately? If so, don’t wait until it’s too late! Most people recommend checking heaters during summer months and maintaining AC’s year-round. However there is no need for concern if the unit fails early because of these issues – we’ll explore what causes them as well as how they can affect both performance (heating) or product quality over time – take action today before problems get worse .
In these cases—and if you have the budget for it—thinking of replacing your A/C is a normal reaction. However, to replace a unit that’s just slightly broken and hasn’t reached its optimal use will be wasteful. And to repair an A/C that has reached the end of its operational life will be useless.
Here are a few tips on how to distinguish between the two.
Most homeowners choose to replace their A/C unit when it’s a decade old. At this point, this robust machine will have performance issues that will make it unusable. An example of this is when your unit is no longer cooling your home evenly. Although an A/C unit replacement costs a fair bit, it will help you save on repairs in the future.
Performance
One of the most common problems in A/C units is performance issues. These include refrigerant leaks, not blowing cold air, and electronic control failure. Of course, the best way to determine if the unit needs repair or replacement is to consult a technician. They’ll inspect the unit and identify the problem and its solution.
Noise
If your current unit is making a ton of noise, it usually means it’s struggling to do its job. At worst, it might be caused by loose internal pieces and components that will damage the unit over time. Ask a technician to see if it’s salvageable or if you will need to replace the unit.
Benefits of Replacing Your A/C Unit
When you still have your old A/C unit, don’t let it get in the way of comfort. Replace that outdated machine with something modern and efficient so your home stays cool all summer long!
If your A/C unit isn’t that old and you’ve noticed some performance issues, you can get away with repairs now and then. However, it would help if you worked with a trained services team.
Get a new warranty.
If you’ve had your A/C unit for the past 10 years, chances are you’ve blown through its warranty. It means you are on your own for any repairs, including finding the right technician. Getting a new A/C unit comes with a new warranty that will cover any issues that might arise.
Achieve better energy efficiency.
Newer air conditioning models use eco-friendly refrigerants, allowing you to cool your home without harming the environment. Not only do these newer A/C units consume less energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a building but they also save on electricity bills!
Experience more convenience.
In some cases, the parts of old A/C units are no longer available. Most manufacturers cease production for old models because they want people to buy new models. Replacing your old unit will help you avoid using ill-fitting parts or paying a premium for discontinued parts.
“DIY HVAC maintenance often results in amateur mistakes that can damage the unit.”
Save money in the long run.
Trained technicians have the skills and expertise to address the most common HVAC problems. They can determine the problem and its cause by conducting a thorough examination of the unit. Technicians save you the trouble of dealing with issues that worsen over time, such as leakage and uneven temperatures.
Earn money before moving.
If you’re planning on selling your home, you’ll need to make some repairs to the property. Including your A/C unit in this plan helps you earn more money because you can add it to the asking price. Most homebuyers don’t mind HVAC systems that are only a couple of years old.
Improve air quality in your home or commercial space.
Sometimes an A/C unit isn’t performing well because it accumulated dust, dander, and debris in its filters and pipes. A technician has special tools to deep-clean your unit, instantly improving airflow and air quality in your home.
You have options when your current A/C unit is struggling to work. Use this guide to determine which one is best for your property or commercial space.
Living in the Santa Fe Springs, CA area and need indoor cooling assistance? Contact us, and we’ll send one of our local team members your way.
At 15.98 cents per kWh, Santa Fe Springs’ average residential electricity rate is over 4% more than that of the state. In fact, it’s almost 35% greater than the national average rate of 11.88 cents per kWh!
But you know what? If your air conditioner is running inefficiently, then not only are they making less money off of each kilowatt that’s used but also the whole system as a whole suffers. And who can afford those extra costs when living in Santa Fe Springs??
The good news though- there are plenty ways for us all to cut down on our energy bills!
That’s what we’re here to share with you today, so be sure to keep reading!
1. Weak Air Flow or Air isn’t Cool Enough
If you notice that there’s not enough cool air coming out of your AC’s vents, check the filter first. You may have a dirty or clogged one which is stopping its flow- so change it every three months and also keep an eye on those temperatures to make sure they don’t go too high!
If you recently changed your filter though, damaged fan blades may be to blame. These not only cause weak air flow, but can also lead to a faulty condenser. Condenser unit problems are some of the top causes of AC failure, so be sure to get that fan fixed ASAP!
If the problem is that your AC isn’t producing cool enough air, a bad compressor may be the culprit. The compressor is the part of your AC that turns the refrigerant into gas and then back into liquid. It needs to do this in a constant cycle so that you can keep enjoying cool air.
So, if the compressor is on its last legs, it may no longer be able to complete that cycle. Or, it may not even be transforming the refrigerant into gas anymore.
Either way, it’s best to call an HVAC repair pro in Santa Fe Springs to inspect your air conditioner. The experienced technician will determine the exact cause of the airflow issue.
2. Your AC Blows Out Warm Air Instead
You don’t want your AC producing warm instead of cool air! But a more dangerous cause is refrigerant leak. Especially if you have R22 or Freon in there, it can lead to an explosion and fire hazard- so be sure that any repairs are done by professionals who know what they’re doing before this happens!
Air conditioners manufactured on or before 2015 use Freon, a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC). CFCs are chemicals that deplete the ozone layer, which is why this refrigerant is nearing a phase-out. Come January 01, 2020, production and supply of R22 will stop.
Refrigerant leaks also often produce hissing sounds, so if you hear those, call an AC repair pro. Better yet, consider replacing your air conditioner if it’s using Freon.
3. Skyrocketing Electricity Bills
12% of your electricity bill already goes towards AC use, so you wouldn’t want that to jump any higher. The thing is, a broken air conditioner part (like a failing motor) requires more energy to run. In most cases, it’s the unit’s attempt to compensate for its inefficient performance.
Let’s say your AC’s condenser motor is already dying. Since it’s failing, it’ll have a hard time removing heat from inside your home. So, it’ll make up for that inefficiency by running longer, thus consuming more energy.
The longer you put off having your AC repaired, the higher your electricity bills will be. Also, even if the unit is still working, it won’t be long until that motor completely dies. Wait until it does, and you’re looking at even more expensive repair expenses.
4. Powers On and Off
Your air conditioning system is more than just a bunch of cooling coils and an evaporator plate. In order to work, it needs certain components that are integral for proper operation: A thermostat – which you can find on most systems under the dashboard or inside near your windows; fans –to move hot outside air through them so they cool down before entering our homes’ walls etc., but these same devices provide relief when we need fresh
If your thermostat malfunctions, it can’t read the room temperature right. This then leads to shorter cooling cycles, or “short-cycling”. If you run into this problem, you’ll notice your unit powers on or off by itself or it cycles on and off more quickly.
Either way, you’ll feel that the room doesn’t seem to be cool enough or that it warms up too fast. Call an AC repair expert to check your thermostat as it may already need replacement.
5. Foul Smells Coming from the Vents
The AC unit you bought may be causing a stench that smells like moldy bread or wet socks. This could just come from your condenser pan, which sits water and leads to development of the molds thus producing those off odors in your home’s atmosphere!
A simple fix is draining this part but if there are other issues arise such as burning wire insulation then call an HVAC technician right away because they’ll know what needs done next
Other Signs You Need AC Repair in Santa Fe Springs
Air conditioners, even the most “quiet” ones, still produce a gentle humming sound. But if you hear odd noises, such as squeals, scraping, and grinding sounds, that’s a different story.
A common culprit behind this is a loose or broken fan belt. The rubber may be rubbing or slapping against other internal parts of the AC. A grinding sound often indicates two metal parts rubbing against each other.
Whichever the cause of the sounds, contact an experienced AC repair technician ASAP. Delays in repairs can cause bigger damages to more sensitive internal parts of the unit.
Get Those AC Problems Fixed ASAP
As soon as you notice any of these symptoms, pick up that phone to request AC repair in Santa Fe Springs. Especially if you smell exhaust-like or burning odors. Not only are they telling signs of a broken AC, but they can also signal poisoning and fire hazards.
If you need immediate HVAC repair services, know that we can help. Don’t hesitate to connect with us now so we can get your AC or furnace back to excellent working order!
Hi my name is Angel Muro I established Comfort Time Heating & Cooling driven by my deep passion for HVAC and a sincere commitment to improving our customers' comfort. My initial fascination with plumbing, heating, and air conditioning systems has evolved into a dedicated profession, emphasizing the significance of both technical expertise and a warm, customer-centric approach. This blog aims to provide valuable insights and information. While some pages provide details about our services, my primary goal is to share real-life experiences that can assist you in various HVAC matters.
Have A Plumbing, Heating Or Air Conditioning Project & You Can Us Our Help?
Comfort Time Plumbing Heating & Cooling Servicing Southern California
At Comfort Time Plumbing Heating and Cooling, we are your trusted HVAC & Plumbing experts serving Southern California. With years of experience in the industry, we take pride in delivering top-notch heating and cooling solutions tailored to the unique climate and needs of the region. Whether you're in the coastal areas, inland valleys, or urban centers, our team of dedicated professionals is here to ensure your year-round comfort. We stay up-to-date with the latest technologies to offer energy-efficient solutions, and our commitment to customer satisfaction means you can rely on us for prompt and reliable service. When it comes to your HVAC needs in Southern California, Comfort Time is the name you can trust.
