Signs your HVAC system needs repair

While your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) is a source of modern day comfort for you and your family, it is not exempt from failure. Serious malfunctions occur due to wear and tear, lack of maintenance, and improper installation. It is frustrating to know that at some point you will have to replace your air conditioner or pay a huge electric bill because of a huge problem that should have been prevented.

It’s worth knowing the warning signs you need to look out for to indicate that your HVAC system needs to be repaired immediately. Read below to learn more.

Rising utility bills

If you notice a sudden surge in your electricity bills, the main culprit is probably your failed HVAC system. Compare your bill from last winter with the last one and see the significant difference. If you haven’t set the thermostat and get a high bill, it just means that your HVAC system will work twice as long to cool or heat your home more than before.

Do not hesitate and contact a trustworthy and reputable HVAC expert such as Willard Power Vacto check what’s going on with your HVAC system.

Not as comfortable as it used to be

Your failed HVAC system may have difficulty maintaining the level of comfort you want because of a problem with the fan, improper cooling or heating of the air in your home, or some other component problem that creates inefficiency. It is important to diagnose and fix HVAC problems early on before they get worse to avoid costly repairs and replacing HVAC parts or systems.

Strange noise

While your air conditioner may have a typical operating noise, you should not hear any noticeable noises when the HVAC system is running. While you’re used to the usual subtle background noises, hearing changes in the sound or strange noises such as whistling, hitting, or rubbing metal are clear indicators that something is wrong. You must call an experienced HVAC technician right away.

Strange smells

Unusual smells can indicate a dangerous HVAC problem. There are different types of odors depending on the cause of the HVAC problem. The problem could be dirty ducts that need cleaning, a wiring problem, or something else. If you notice a strange smell from your air conditioner, you must turn it off immediately and call one HVAC repair company.

Here are the unusual smells that can arise from a malfunctioning HVAC system:

• Rotten egg smell: You will notice a slight smell of rotten eggs if your HVAC system has a natural gas leak at home. However, the smell should not be noticeable. Immediately leave your home if you suspect a gas leak. Many people die every year from natural gas explosions. Contact the gas company to immediately inspect your home and stay with relatives or friends until the HVAC professional makes sure your home is safe.
• Burned Electrical Smell: Like other devices, your HVAC system can emit a burnt smell when overheated. Faulty or damaged electrical wiring can lead to an electrical smell, which can pose a great fire hazard in your home. Immediately turn off your air conditioner with the main shutdown and call your local HVAC technician for repairs immediately.
• Musty or moldy smell: Your air conditioner creates a lot of moisture inside by collecting condensed water that remains in the device. However, if moisture gets into the device’s duct system, mold growth will develop quickly. An HVAC specialist will clean the lines, check the source of the moisture leak, and correct the problem to protect you and your family.

water is leaking out

Visual inspection can help you identify water leaks that can mean a broken condensate pump or a frozen evaporator coil. Oven leaks can mean a clogged drain or a damaged condensation line. Water leaks can be a slip hazard. It also provides a suitable breeding ground for mold.

Defective heat exchanger

For a gas oven, the most critical component is the heat exchanger, which transfers heat to the air via the gas burners circulating through the system. Heat exchangers tend to crack when the temperature is too high and expand beyond design limits. Excessive moisture can also damage the heat exchanger over time.

A HVAC specialist checks your oven for dirt and cleans it or carries out major repairs if necessary. However, if there are holes or cracks, or if your device is old, a replacement is imminent. Any breakthrough in the furnace heat exchanger causes exhaust gases to combine with the circulated air, which can be dangerous Carbon monoxide Levels in the house.

Here are the indicators of a bad heat exchanger:

• You can feel the smell of exhaust gas in your living space
• Soot around your stove
• Soot around the heat registers in your house
• Water under your heater
• Corrosion in the device

Conclusion

Your HVAC system is critical to the comfort of your family. Therefore every warning sign should not be ignored. Contact an HVAC company right away if you experience any of the above symptoms so that you no longer have to deal with stressful issues in the future. Of course, regular inspection and preventive maintenance at least once a year is strongly recommended.