Many people find that their HVAC systems become problematic in the winter months. These issues can range from expected to unexpected and usually come with a hefty price tag if you aren’t prepared. It’s important that homeowners understand how their HVAC systems function and how to maintain them so that they aren’t stuck with a high repair bill during the coldest months of the year. This article will cover some common HVAC issues and some useful tips to help avoid them.
HVAC Winter Troubleshooting Tips
If you are facing issues with your HVAC system, it’s important to determine the cause and fix the problem as quickly as possible. The following troubleshooting tips will help:
– Know how your system works:
The more you know about how your HVAC system works and what it is supposed to do, the easier it will be for you to troubleshoot. If you understand how heating and cooling systems work, you might even be able to identify the problem yourself and reduce the costs associated with hiring a professional.
– Look for common problems first:
Some issues, such as clogged filters or dirty ventilation ducts, are relatively easy fixes that can save you money in the long run if they’re identified early on. You don’t always need to call in an expensive repair person when you can fix the problem yourself.
– Be prepared for emergencies:
A broken air conditioner during the summer isn’t ideal, but having no heat in the middle of winter is far worse. What’s more, repairs are typically much pricier when they come in the midst of an emergency. Save yourself some money and make sure that you don’t find yourself in this situation by keeping heaters on hand and ensuring your heating system works properly before the winter months arrive.
Common HVAC Issues During Winter
There are many common HVAC issues that homeowners experience during the winter months. The following sections will cover some of them in more detail:
– Frozen Coils:
When you lose heat, it’s usually because your system is struggling to transfer heat from one place to another and the most common place where this loss of efficiency occurs is with the coils on top of your furnace. When these coils get too cold, they can freeze over and prevent proper heating. This is often a sign that you need to increase your home’s insulation or check for small drafts around windows and doors since they may be allowing warm air to escape before it reaches the desired location.
– System Malfunctions:
The exterior of your home or office has a surprising effect on the performance of your HVAC system. If you find that it’s struggling to keep up with heating demands during winter months, check for things like blocked vents, broken windows, and dirty filters. If they aren’t performing at their best, they likely won’t be able to heat your home effectively either.
– Dry Air:
During the winter, you are often running the heat more frequently, which can leave you feeling dry and uncomfortable. This problem is made even worse when combined with indoor air pollutants such as smoke, smog, mildew, pollen, etc. These contaminants are removed from the air by passing through an HVAC system’s filter. Still, if this filter becomes clogged, it can reduce your system’s functionality and make you feel uncomfortable. Regularly changing the filter in your system will extend its life and keep it running smoothly.
– Inefficient Furnaces:
Many furnaces begin to lose efficiency just a few years after being installed, leading to higher electricity bills and poor heating. Replacing an outdated furnace with a new model that uses less energy when operating is one of the most effective ways to save money during the winter months if you face high heating costs every year.
– Interior Temperature Variations:
Suppose some areas of your home are warmer than others or rooms on the upper-level stay cooler than those on the lower level. This could be a sign that there is insufficient ventilation or insulation or that your ventilation ducts need to be cleaned. The air from your HVAC system should flow evenly throughout your home, and you should be able to comfortably maintain a steady temperature in every room.
– Evaporator Coil Freezing:
When water or debris freezes inside your furnace’s evaporator, it can cause a blockage that prevents the humidity levels in your home from decreasing, which means that you’ll likely experience condensation on windows and other surfaces that can lead to problems like wood rot, mold growth, etc.
– Dirty Filters:
If you keep seeing dust around your vents despite regularly changing out filters, this is likely due to dirty filters having less surface area than clean ones, so more dust is left behind than usual. Plus, if this dust isn’t regularly removed from your system, that can lead to costly blockages and other maintenance issues and negatively impact your HVAC system’s operation.
How to Maintain Your HVAC System
– Annual Maintenance:
HVAC systems are constantly working under pressure from your indoor environment and the constant effects of gravity which is why it’s a good idea to have a professional check on them regularly. If you wait too long between inspections or maintenance examinations, this increases the risk of expensive damage to your system before you even notice there is a problem with its performance. Having an annual inspection can not only catch problems early but also save money over time and provide peace of mind that your system is running at peak capacity when needed most.
– Cleaning Filters Regularly:
When you clean out your HVAC filters regularly, this allows more debris to be removed from your system before it can affect the performance of your HVAC system. A clogged filter can significantly increase your energy bills while also leading to issues like overheating and reduced airflow that can cause damage to your system or make you uncomfortable in your own home.
– Replace Filters on Schedule:
Since air quality is an important concern for many homeowners today, it’s not uncommon for them to replace their filters at shorter intervals than before, even if they don’t notice any problems with their systems. However, changing out your filters too frequently can decrease their overall lifespan, so replacing them when necessary according to the manufacturer’s specifications is key for continuing good performance.
– Keep Areas Around Ducts Clear:
Keep your HVAC vents clear at all times, starting with a regular schedule of vacuuming beneath furniture, which is typically where dust and debris accumulate quickly. During the winter, it’s easy for seepage to accumulate around your ductwork if you don’t regularly clean them out. This reduces the airflow of your system and could also lead to mold or mildew growth, which can spread throughout your home and cause health problems.
Final Thoughts
In addition to the tips included in this article, you should also consider talking to a heating and air conditioning professional during the winter months. Only highly skilled technicians must work on your HVAC materials to provide your system with the best possible performance. Reach out to the team at Austin AC today to get your HVAC system serviced and ready for the new seasons.