As a homeowner, it's important to be aware of any major maintenance issues that may arise in any part of your home. One system that is critical to your family's comfort and requires regular maintenance is the HVAC system.
Most homeowners will do simple maintenance tasks. One of these includes periodically replacing the air filter. Not doing this regularly can cause major HVAC problems to crop up. Making sure the vents that the heated or cooled air exits from are clear is another simple precaution.
Sometimes, there are problems with an HVAC unit that require the attention of a professional. Fortunately for you, there will typically be tell-tale signs of what may be major impending issues if they are not dealt with quickly. At The Boiler Shoppe, your Toronto area HVAC pros, we are very familiar with these signs. In this blog post, we'll go over a few of them.
Is the Air From Your A/C Not as Cool as It Should Be?
If your air conditioning seems to be running longer to cool your home, the problem could be that the air is not being sufficiently cooled. You might try putting your hand up against the vent and feeling the air coming out. If you're not sure about the temperature by feeling the airflow with your hand, you might try holding a thermometer against the vent. You should leave the thermometer at a vent for 15 minutes, and then you'll put it against a return vent for 15 minutes. A general rule of thumb is that the air coming out of the vent should be about 20 degrees cooler than the temperature of the air going in.
If your air conditioning is putting out air that's warmer than ideal, this could be a sign of a refrigerant leak. Unlike some other types of fluid leaks, an air conditioner refrigerant leak isn't necessarily given away by a puddle of fluid in any given spot. For this reason, it will be hard for you to detect a refrigerant leak, so you'll want to call a professional to check out the system for you.
Refrigerant fluids are unhealthy for you and the environment. They can also cause further problems in your HVAC system. Because it's blowing warmer air, it will need to blow longer to get the house to a given temperature. This creates additional wear and tear on the system as well as increasing your energy costs. This is one issue where you should definitely be saving money in the long term by having a professional diagnose and fix the problem.
A Bad Blower Motor
Your HVAC unit has a blower motor connected to a fan that blows the conditioned air throughout your home's duct system. As with all motors, this one can wear down with age and may start to fail.
Have you noticed weak airflow coming from the vents? If you've checked the air filter and it's clean, then this weak airflow might be explained by a failing blower motor. Another indication is any strange sounds coming from your HVAC unit when it's on. Any squealing or screeching sounds might mean a bad belt or perhaps bearing problems. A loose or broken part in the motor might make banging or clanking sounds. In either situation, you'll need to hire a professional to diagnose the problem. You don't want to let this go too long either. What could be a relatively inexpensive repair now may turn into a more expensive replacement down the road.
Short-Cycling Problems
This is a situation where an air conditioner becomes stuck in what's known as its start-up cycle. It causes the unit to turn on and off rapidly before it has had a chance to finish a full cooling cycle. This produces excess wear and tear on the compressor since it's having to turn on and off many more times to get your home to a given temperature.
You should know that the compressor is a major component in your air conditioner that will cost more than any other part. There are a number of things that can cause an HVAC unit to short cycle. Given the cost of this component, you want to get a professional out to your home to diagnose and remedy it sooner rather than later.
Unusual Smells Can Indicate a Serious Problem
As far as your nose is concerned, you shouldn't notice your HVAC system at all. If, on the other hand, you do smell something coming from your air vents, this can be bad news. A rotten egg smell is a major indicator of a natural gas leak. A burning or electrical smell can indicate a risk of fire or at least a health hazard. A moldy or musty smell could be a sign of the presence of biological contaminants in your HVAC system's ducts. Mold can be a serious issue. Depending on the type of mold, the effects can range from aggravating those with allergies or asthma to being downright hazardous to one's health. Your HVAC system should be producing warm or cool air, not smells. Any odors are your clue to call a professional.
Your Professional HVAC Service Pros in the Toronto Area
Hopefully, you are conscientious about keeping your HVAC system well maintained. Regularly changing the air filter and making sure the vents are clean and unobstructed are a couple of things you can do yourself. By taking care of it, you are ensuring that it continues to take care of you and your family. That said, an HVAC unit, like any complex mechanical system, can develop issues over time that you'll need a professional to address. In fact, it's wise to set up a regular maintenance plan with a professional HVAC contractor to keep your system in tip-top shape.
Your team at The Boiler Shoppe has been serving customers in the Toronto area for over 35 years. We are knowledgeable at installing and replacing furnaces, boilers, water heaters and air conditioners. As a TSSA registered contractor in Toronto, Ontario, we meet the highest professional standards to work on your home or business HVAC system. We are available 24/7, so give us a call at any time to schedule a service appointment that's convenient for you. We'll provide personalized service and expertise to remedy whatever HVAC problem you are experiencing quickly and inexpensively.