5 Major Reasons Why Your HVAC System Breaks Down

August 8, 2016

Your HVAC system is made up of various heating, cooling and ventilation components that operate together to make your indoor living spaces more comfortable. Keeping all the components of your heating, cooling and ventilation system in good working order will ensure that you and your family feel comfortable in your home.

How much of an effect does your HVAC system have on your energy bills? According to research by the U.S. Department of Energy, “Heating and cooling your home costs about 54% of your utility bill. That’s quite a large dent in your monthly expenses.

Here are 5 reasons why your HVAC system may operate poorly:

1. Your Thermostat is Broken
Your home thermostat gives you complete control over your home’s heating and cooling system. Comparing your temperature settings to your room temperature and also turning on the AC or heater to make the temperature suitable for you. By letting a faulty thermostat run for a long time, you risk cutting the longevity of your HVAC unit.

Signs of a bad thermostat:

• The air conditioner does not turn off
• Cannot sense your room’s temperature perfectly
• Replacing the batteries does not help
• The thermostat settings are perfect, but the HVAC system does not respond as it should
• The furnace or AC does not respond

2. Your Filter is Dirty
A significant reduction in the efficiency or performance of your HVAC system could mean a filter change. Regular tune-ups are also necessary to keep your system running efficiently and keeping your air filter running effectively while reducing the amount of dirt and dust your AC has to filter every day. Benefits of regular filter changes:

• Greater system efficiency
• Cleaner Indoor Air
• Lower Utility Bills
• Increases longevity of your equipment
• Fewer HVAC repair bills
• Cleaner physical environment
• Steady and unfailing comfort throughout the year

3. Improperly Balanced Dampers
Some rooms are colder than others, or a forced air system works well for heating but not for air-conditioning. Although such problems may require repositioning duct work or adding booster fans – the first thing you should check is that the duct work is balanced differently for each season.

Any professional you call will set it right, but constant tweaking on your part will get it to the temperature you are most comfortable at.

Test and identify your Summer and Winter settings for your air flow dumpers and fine tune your entire system according to each. But make sure to have it fine tuned at the beginning of each season.

While we are talking about the seasonal changes of dampers, don’t forget that any air conditioning system that uses furnace ducting requires that the humidifier is blocked off for the summer.

4. Improper Installation
You can end up spending up to 30% more for heating and cooling your business if your HVAC system is not properly installed.
Improper installation can lead to:

• Improper Airflow Rate: Cause by leaky ducts and or blockages within your system.
• Refrigerant Undercharge: Not enough refrigerant ensures that there is not enough cooling.
• Refrigerant Overcharge : This can freeze the lines or cause excess strain on the unit.
• Improper Refrigerant Sub cooling: If this tends to happen regularly, it can lower the lifespan of your system.
• Presence of Non-Condensable Gases: Caused when lines are not properly installed according to the pressure.
• Improper Electric Voltage: Too little of this voltage and your unit won’t perform at optimum capacity and too much could cause a short circuit.
• TXV Under sizing, Cooling: When the unit is too small for the space and cooling becomes inefficient

5. Lack of Regular Maintenance
Maintenance is an expense that does not give any instant gratification to its owners immediately. This gives you instant peace that your AC has been fully serviced, is operating at optimum capacity and will ward off both heat and cold at all times. This will increase the longevity of your HVAC system.

Keep Your HVAC System Running Smoothly by Avoiding these Problems

Avoid these problems and ensure that your HVAC system is fully maintained at all times, so you stay both hot and cool throughout the year at minimal costs.