Learn why air conditioning systems and furnaces break down, and how to avoid an HVAC failure.
When your furnace or air conditioner is running smoothly, it might be easy to forget that you need to schedule an annual tune-up – and if you have a relatively new HVAC system, you might be able to skip that maintenance visit without suffering immediate adverse consequences. Over time, though, infrequent maintenance can lead to costly breakdowns and shorten the life of your HVAC system.
Think of it this way: Annual HVAC maintenance is just like your yearly health checkup or dental exam – an opportunity to identify small problems before they can do a lot of damage. An experienced HVAC technician can spot potential causes of mechanical failure and help prevent problems such as:
Clogged Filters
A clogged air filter causes an HVAC system to expend a lot of energy in order to keep indoor air comfortable, which increases wear-and-tear on your system and reduces efficiency. A badly clogged filter could eventually cause an HVAC failure.
Frozen Coil
A frozen air conditioner coil can have a number of causes: a dirty air filter, a refrigerant leak, blocked condensate lines, or a malfunctioning AC fan or thermostat. When the coil freezes, an air conditioning unit may begin leaking water.
Blower Motor Failure
This common problem is easy to detect – if you can feel cooled or heated air when you put your hand on a vent, but the air isn’t blowing outward, your blower motor is dead. The solution could be as simple as replacing a broken fan belt or cleaning and lubricating the motor, but a severely worn motor may need to be replaced.
Electrical Malfunctions
A faulty circuit board or worn wiring can cause HVAC system failure, including air compressor failure, which is a costly problem. That’s why HVAC maintenance technicians don’t just look at your furnace or air conditioner – they examine all related components indoors and out during an annual inspection.
Avoid an Emergency
When your HVAC fails (usually when you need it the most), you might have to wait longer than you’d like for repairs. With older HVAC systems, repairs may be delayed because replacement parts aren’t readily available. HomePro does offer 24/7 emergency service, but we also encourage our customers to enroll in our annual maintenance plan, so they can hopefully avoid the inconvenience and expense of emergency repairs.
Choose HomePro for your ongoing HVAC maintenance, and we’ll remind you when it’s time for heating and cooling service. Just give us a call to set up your plan: (317) 271-2665.