How To Check Your HVAC
Your HVAC system consists of 3 main components, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit. From these units the travels through flexible pipes known as ducts or ductwork to finally arrive at the vents that you see. All of these units have different functions that work together to control the temperature in your home.
However, if any of these components stop working it can be very costly to repair. So it’s important to do what you can to make your unit lasts as long as possible. Here are some of the common causes of HVAC system failure.
One common cause of HVAC failure is low refrigerant. This will cause you A/C to perform very poorly because the refrigerant is what makes the air cold. This, however, cannot be fixed by adding more refrigerant. The HVAC technician must first find and repair the leak otherwise you will have the same problem again within a short period of time.
Dirty or damaged condenser coils are another common failure point for your HVAC. The condenser coils are the units that sit outside your house. When these are covered in a layer of dirt and grime they cannot cool air properly causing your unit to have to work harder. This can often result in a higher energy bill.
There are also fans inside and outside your house that help cool the air. These fans can fail due to old worn belts, faulty motors, etc. When these fans fail it can cause poor airflow which can lead to much bigger air conditioning problems.
Another common failure point is the leaky ductwork. If your HVAC is not working great and having trouble maintaining the temperature in the house. There is a good chance you might have leaking ductwork. This is somewhat common in older houses where all the cool air ends up in the attic. This will greatly affect your energy bill.
The good news is that you can do something to help prevent damage to your units.
- Keep your outside unit clean and clear of debris
- Replace air filter regularly
- Repair leaking ductwork
- Have regular maintenance done to your units
Here are 7 more things you don’t see that could be costly if there’s an issue (always check regularly)
- Foundation
- Electrical Wiring
- Plumbing
- Roof
- Termite Damage
- Water Damage
- Mold