HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. Essentially, your HVAC system maintains a comfortable temperature within your home, by cycling air in and out of your home.
Your HVAC system works hard every day, without a break, cooling exterior air and removing warm air from inside. As such, it will occasionally face some problems with or without regularly scheduled maintenance. While some HVAC problems will require a professional repair company, a competent homeowner can fix other issues and perform maintenance duties on the unit.
Common problems generally come from dirty or clogged air filters, clogged drains in your HVAC system, debris from around the outside unit, or low refrigerant. Like any technological, hard-working system, regularly maintenance is highly advised. Below are some common HVAC problems that, fortunately, have do-it-yourself solutions.
Dirty or Clogged Air Filter
One of the simplest and most common problems with any HVAC system comes from a dirty or clogged air filter. Since it’s recommended that you change your air filter every 3-4 months, neglecting to do so means your system isn’t running at its top efficiency. Think of it like removing lint from your dryer, but on a grander scale. The passage of air is what makes the HVAC capable of cooling or heating your home.
If your HVAC unit becomes clogged, airflow slows down or may even come to a complete stop. This can also cause your system to shutdown or even breakdown completely. To avoid being forced to pay for a new system sooner than necessary, take the time to change your filter every 3-4 months, or more frequently if you live in a dusty area or have pets that also live in the home.
Clogged Drains
In addition to cleaning out shower drains and sinks, your HVAC unit also has a drainage system that can get clogged if neglected for too long. If your HVAC system’s drains get clogged, it’s possible that this could lead to major water damage, which can be one of the most complicated and costly repairs for a home.
If you notice a leak near your air conditioner, make sure to address the problem immediately. If it looks like you can fix the problem yourself, go ahead and get out the wet-dry vacuum to clean the drain line. Then, run a water hose through the line to make sure it’s clear. If the job looks more complicated than a quick fix, call a professional to make sure the job is done right.
Remove Debris from Outside Unit
Similar to cleaning your air filter, it’s also important to clean the area around the exterior unit. If nothing else, make sure there are no piles of leaves or excess dirt around the base of the unit and trim back shrubbery to increase airflow. If the exterior unit is too crowded, the system can become overworked just trying to find air to bring into the home.
For those who want to take this a step further, take some time to remove the cage from your exterior unit and clean it with a garden hose or brush. The more air that circulates in and out of your home, the better your HVAC system will run year-round. This type of job should also be performed regularly.
Preventative Maintenance
All in all, preventative maintenance is key for any homeowner. Similar to changing filters and oil on your vehicle, an HVAC system requires regular maintenance and inspections to work well consistently. This means checking filters, cleaning debris from the exterior unit, and cleaning the drainage system.
Some weekend handymen might want to take their inspections a step further, but most HVAC problems come from clogged drains and dirty filters. If you’re not experienced with electricity, it’s not a good idea to dive into fixing more complicated issues, such as faulty wiring or low refrigerant problems.
For Freon leaks or any other signs that you might need to change your AC unit, make sure to call a professional to come out and evaluate your HVAC problems. Since your air conditioning system is likely the most expensive and most used device in your home, maintain what you can and call a professional for larger, more difficult jobs.
