This symbol indicates a possible danger — if this is located next to the issue you’re experiencing, contact a professional HVAC technician immediately!
1) Lack of Maintenance
Just like any good technician will tell you, regularly scheduled maintenance by a professional is a must to keeping your high-end purchases in tip-top shape. Many common HVAC problems can be avoided with proper maintenance by a certified service contractor. Neglecting to perform regular maintenance on your HVAC system will most likely result in costly repairs down the road and a possibly poor-functioning system.
Regular maintenance on your HVAC system also means getting your ducts cleaned. Sam’s Heating & Air Conditioning offers this service. Contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment. Professionally having your ducts cleaned out is also a great idea if you just renovated your home, had animals living in your system, recently encountered mold or other contaminants within your system, or if someone in your home is suffering from an unexplained allergy-related illness.
2) Dirty/Clogged Filters
With time, HVAC unit filters get dirty and clogged. Filters should be changed regularly to prevent this from happening. When a clogged filter isn’t changed, the airflow is reduced causing the system to work overtime — this can lead to an increase in your energy bill. A dirty filter can also cause more allergens to circulate through the HVAC system. Holding a filter up to the light is a good indicator of whether it needs to be replaced or not. If no light passes through, it’s time to change the filter.
3) Pilot or Ignition Problems
Ignition problems can be due to a number of causes. A dirty pilot, flame sensor, or burner can cause a pilot outage, short cycling, furnace lockout, or delayed ignition of the burners. It could also be the result of a gas supply problem or wear and tear. Whatever the reasoning, this issue needs to be addressed by a professional since this deals with dangerous elements like natural gas and high voltage.
4) Thermostat Malfunctions
It’s easy to blame something within the HVAC system when things go awry, but occasionally the problem is within the thermostat itself. The good news is that sometimes the problem isn’t a problem at all, but just a minor issue with how the thermostat is set. Your thermostat regulates the timing and amount of hot or cold air your unit should produce. Referring to your owners manual may prevent you from paying for a costly or unnecessary service call. If your thermostat runs on batteries, be sure to check those as well.
5) Unusual Furnace Noises
Noise from your furnace can be part of normal operation, however, some sounds may be a warning or indication of a mechanical problem.
- A high-pitched screeching noise can be a motor bearing problem. Another screeching sound could be a bad belt.
- A sound that is similar to a card stuck inside the spokes of a bicycle typically indicates something is stuck in the blades of the blower or something is stuck inside the housing of the furnace.
- In the unfortunate event that you hear a scraping sound like metal parts rubbing together, you’ll need to call a professional right away as this can be the result of a much larger issue such as a broken wheel or the blower assembly hitting the housing.
6) Blown Fuses or Tripped Breakers
A common reason the furnace trips a circuit breaker is that the blower is overworking. If something is blocking airflow to your system, your blower has to overcompensate. That being said, one of the main reasons is a dirty air filter. Check your filter and replace it if needed before resetting your circuit breaker.
7) Dirty Condenser or Evaporator Coils
Chances are regular maintenance isn’t being conducted if your HVAC unit has this issue. You can hose off the outdoor coil after shutting off the power to the condenser. The indoor evaporator coil will need to be cleaned by a professional if it is extremely dirty. If regular maintenance is performed on your HVAC unit, coils should remain relatively clean and could possibly only need a professional cleaning roughly every three years.
8) Drips and Leaks
While both air conditioners and high-efficiency furnaces can produce condensation, drips and leaks are traditionally signs of a bigger problem. The common causes of leaks are:
- Gas Line Leaks – usually imply a broken or cracked furnace heat exchanger
- Refrigerant Leaks – Mainly caused by weak joints or faulty connections in an AC or heat pump
- Water around the air conditioner – typically caused by a clogged drain hose or dirty coil
9) Blower Runs Continuously
There are several reasons a furnace blower may run continuously. First, check to see if the fan switch on the thermostat is on – this will cause the motor to run continuously. If that didn’t do the trick, then you most likely have one of these three problems:
- Your furnace fan limit switch is set to “manual overrideâ€
- The fan limit switch is faulty and needs to be replaced
- There’s a problem in your thermostat wiring
Unfortunately, you’ll need a professional to fix those last two problems.
10) Outdated HVAC Design
Most heating and cooling equipment have a service life of around 20 years. However, unmaintained units face reduced efficiency and lifespans. Older units may need to be completely replaced, especially if home or office renovations have taken place since the original installation.
Another good reason to consult an HVAC expert: you may find that simple ductwork changes can make a huge difference in your HVAC airflow and comfort.
If your furnace is more than 10 years old, a new high-efficiency model may provide better comfort and cost far less to operate.
If you are experiencing problems with your HVAC unit(s), give Sam’s Heating and Air Conditioning a call at (970) 249-6790. Addressing a problem today could mean a more comfortable tomorrow!
