Many home and business owners are surprised when they walk out of their homes in the morning to a frozen outdoor unit or are unable to warm up their business. This is because home and business owners often do not know much about HVAC maintenance, which leads them to spend hundreds of extra dollars trying to fix common problems themselves.
Here are the top ten winter HVAC problems that homeowners should watch out for:
Frozen Pipes/Insulation
When temperatures drop below freezing, insulation can freeze, causing pipes connected to an external unit (including water lines) to freeze as well. Homeowners should make sure the temperature around these pipes does not fall below 32 degrees Fahrenheit (freezing point). Even if it feels warm outside, it can be cold where the pipes are. Placing space heaters around such areas or using fans to circulate warm air can prevent such problems from occurring.
Frozen External Unit
When external units drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, they freeze and lose their cooling power. Homeowners should ensure outdoor temperatures do not go below freezing when this is likely to occur (before the beginning of winter and in early morning/late night hours). By placing coverings over these units, homeowners can reduce the chance of them becoming frozen and losing their cooling capabilities.
Dirt and Debris on an Outdoor Unit
Besides keeping an HVAC unit clean throughout the year, it becomes even more important during the winter months when snow accumulates on rooftops. This can sometimes drop down on an outdoor unit and clog it up or damage its components. If you have a unit installed on your rooftop, you should consider having a roofing company install a roof rake system so that this does not happen.
Frozen Outdoor Condenser
When outdoor units are located in colder areas of the country or when they do not receive enough sunlight exposure, they can become frozen and eventually stop working even when the temperature rises again. Homeowners should ensure such units get at least 7 hours of sunlight exposure daily (direct sunlight exposure is best). If necessary, homeowners should use small mirrors to reflect light onto these units or relocate them elsewhere.
Dirt and Debris on Air Intake
Keeping an air intake free from debris and dirt throughout the year will allow an HVAC unit to continue working efficiently during the winter months. If an air intake is clogged or covered by dirt, dust can accumulate around it. This makes it harder for an HVAC unit to suck in clean air and will make the system work harder at conditioning indoor air. If necessary, homeowners should hire professionals to do this job every six months rather than doing it themselves.
Outdoor Unit Not Properly Balanced
When outdoor units are not properly balanced, they move less air through them and cause heating problems. Homeowners should ensure that their outside unit does not have more pressure on one side of the fan coil than on the other side (you can tell this by looking at the louvers). If one side of the fan has more pressure over another, you should place some insulation underneath the low-pressure side.
Reduced Airflow
Airflow can be reduced throughout an HVAC unit when outdoor, and indoor units are too large for the home’s square footage or if filter restrictions keep air from blowing through them at proper speeds. If you find that your entire house is not as cool as it used to, this may be the cause of such problems (note: dirty filters can also restrict airflow). Homeowners should address such issues with a professional HVAC company by installing smaller accessories inside or changing out existing ones with newer ones.
Dirty Coils
When coils on an HVAC unit become too dusty and dirty, they cannot effectively remove heat from indoor air (and vice versa). While some dirt buildup is expected, too much of it over time will reduce an HVAC unit’s overall efficiency and effectiveness. Since dust and debris attract insects and rodents (which can damage coils), homeowners should schedule regular maintenance or cleaning for their units every six months instead of doing this themselves.
Dirty Filters
Dirty filters on an HVAC unit restrict airflow and make the system work harder at conditioning indoor air (reducing energy costs). If you notice that your home feels stuffy during winter, replacing dirty filters with clean ones is an excellent place to start (this also improves indoor air quality). By placing clean filters in all sections of your HVAC system, you can help ensure that your entire house has clean air throughout winter.
Low Refrigerant
If your home suddenly doesn’t feel as cool during winter, this is usually a sign that the refrigerant in the HVAC system needs to be refilled (if you can still hear an outside unit running, but it isn’t cold inside your home). When technicians need to add or refill refrigerants, especially when outdoor units are located in areas where temperatures drop below freezing, they should only do so with approved and certified equipment. Improperly handled chemicals can cause lung damage and even death among homeowners and untrained individuals. For this reason, hiring professionals for such tasks is always recommended instead of doing them yourself.
Regular Maintenance Can Prevent These Issues
By performing regular HVAC maintenance, such as replacing dirty filters and cleaning coils, homeowners can keep their units running smoothly throughout winter. Since it is always better to hire a professional for this type of work, any homeowner who needs help with their AC during the winter months should schedule an appointment with a trusted local company. Keep in mind that even if you have your unit repaired or replaced immediately upon noticing problems, dealing with them quickly will save home costs in the long run.
In conclusion, many common HVAC problems arise during the winter months due to colder temperatures and limited indoor air circulation. In order to avoid these issues from occurring within your own system at home, homeowners should consult a trained professional beforehand while also regularly maintaining both indoor and outdoor units for better home comfort and efficiency all year long.