HVAC systems are a huge part of our lives. They keep us warm in the winter and cool in the summer, but they can also be expensive to maintain.
However, it’s not uncommon to feel like your HVAC system is on its last legs. After all, it’s a machine you rely on to keep your home comfortable and safe—and if anything goes wrong, you could be in for some serious problems.
In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, HVAC issues account for 25% of all home repairs.
It’s no wonder: HVAC systems are incredibly complicated and often require extensive maintenance and repairs. Unfortunately, many people don’t know how to identify the warning signs of an HVAC problem or what to do when encountering one. And that’s why they call for HVAC service. In the United States, there are approximately 3.6 million heating, ventilation, and air conditioning professionals. Every year, they perform more than 14 million service calls. The average HVAC service call cost is $51.88, while the average hourly rate for HVAC installation is $63.66.
So, if you’re looking for ways to take care of your heating and cooling system without breaking the bank, it’s important to understand what kinds of things can cause problems with your HVAC system and how often they occur. This way, you’ll know when it’s time for an HVAC service call!
In this article, HVAC experts in Hurricane, WV, will help you understand some of the most common reasons and HVAC problems for which homeowners call them.
30 Most Common HVAC Service Call Checklists
When your HVAC unit breaks down, it can be a huge inconvenience—especially if you’re in the middle of a heat wave. The good news is that most HVAC service problems are fixed by a technician in no time.
But what are the most common reasons behind HVAC service calls? Here are 30 of the most common reasons:
Dirty Air Filters
Dirty air filters are the number one reason for HVAC service calls, according to a study accomplished by the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI). The study found that dirty air filters cause 14% of all HVAC repairs, which is more than any other problem.
Air filters are easy to check and change, but if you don’t know when they need to be changed, they can lead to problems. If you have a regular schedule for changing your air filters, then you won’t have to worry about it as much. It’s important that you replace your filter every 1-3 months, depending on how dirty it is and how often you use your HVAC system.
Thermostat Problems
Another common reason for HVAC service call software is thermostat problems. If your thermostat is set incorrectly or if your thermostat isn’t working properly, then this can lead to increased energy bills and an inefficient system overall. It’s important that you regularly check your thermostat settings so that they’re accurate and working properly so that you don’t waste money on heating or cooling when it’s not necessary!
Electrical Issues
Electrical issues are probably another major reason that people experience HVAC service calls. This can be anything from a blown fuse to an electrical short circuit. Once an electrical issue has been identified, it’s important to have it fixed immediately because if left unchecked, it could lead to further damage and more expensive repairs later.
Lack of HVAC Maintenance
Another common reason for HVAC service calls is the lack of HVAC maintenance. If you don’t keep up with regular maintenance on your unit (which includes cleaning out filters and checking for leaks), then it will eventually stop working properly or break down completely. This means more money out of pocket for repairs! It’s important to remember that just because something works doesn’t mean it should be ignored indefinitely—especially if it involves safety concerns like carbon monoxide poisoning!
Refrigerant Leaks
According to a U.S. Department of Energy study, 33% of all HVAC service calls are related to refrigerant leaks.
Refrigerant leaks can occur when your air conditioner or furnace isn’t properly maintained, and the seals around the unit fail to hold in the coolant. When this happens, you may notice a sweet smell coming from your vents or simply a change in temperature, depending on where your leak is located.
If you’re not sure if you have a refrigerant leak, it’s best to call in an expert who can find it and do HVAC repair before it causes more damage to your system.
Refrozen Evaporator Coils
An evaporator coil is responsible for getting cool air into your home by absorbing heat from the outside air and transferring it to your home’s interior. When an evaporator coil freezes up, it can cause problems with your HVAC system because the ice will block airflow through the coil and prevent it from producing cold air. The most common causes of frozen evaporators include:
- Poor insulation around your ductwork
- Improper installation; and
- Failing outdoor temperatures (such as those that occur during winter).
Most homeowners call an HVAC expert if they suspect that their evaporator coils are frozen because they will likely need to be defrosted before they can start functioning properly again.
Faulty Fan Motor
The fan motor is the most common reason for your HVAC service call. The fan motor drives the air through your air ducts and out of your vents, and it’s designed to last for a long time. But if it starts to fail, it won’t be able to move all of the supposed air, which can cause your home or business to get too hot or too cold. If you notice that the temperature in your home is uneven, or if one area is colder than another, you may have a problem with your fan motor.
A Clogged Condensate Drain
If your air conditioner’s condensate drain is clogged, water may not be able to drain properly. This can lead to mold accumulation and mildew inside your unit, leading to expensive repairs down the road.
Sensor Problems
Your HVAC system is made up of many different pieces that work together to provide you with the comfort you need during the summer and winter seasons. The most important piece is the thermostat, which tells your system what temperature it should be running at. The thermostat then sends a signal to the furnace or air conditioner, telling it when to turn on or off. If there is an issue with either of these components, your HVAC system won’t be able to work properly.
Ignition/Pilot Control Issues
The ignition is what starts up your furnace or air conditioner so that it can run properly. If something goes wrong with this component, you’ll notice that your system doesn’t heat or cool as expected! This can lead to major problems if not caught early enough because it could mean that there’s something wrong with your ductwork or other parts of your home’s HVAC system as well!
Dirty Or Malfunctioning Heat Exchanger
The heat exchanger is a crucial part of your HVAC system, but it’s often overlooked until something goes wrong. The heat exchanger transfers heat from your home’s air to the incoming and outgoing air streams. If this part is damaged or clogged with dirt, it will limit the amount of air that can be heated or cooled properly, which means you’ll have to turn up the temperature for your home to feel comfortable—and that’ll lead to higher energy bills.
Ductwork Leaks
Ductwork is essential for distributing warm or cool air around your home. If there are any holes or cracks in your ductwork system, it might not be able to deliver enough air flow to keep your entire house comfortable. This could result in cold spots or hot spots within certain rooms, depending on where the leak is located within these systems.
Capacitor Failure
The capacitor is a component of your HVAC system that can fail, causing the motor to stop working. When this happens, you may notice that your blower motor isn’t working. This can cause a buildup of dirt and dust in your ductwork, which can reduce the efficiency of your heating and cooling system.
Malfunctioning Blower Motor
The blower motor is responsible for moving air throughout your home and cooling down the air before it reaches your vents. It turns on when you turn on your thermostat or when you press a button on an electronic thermostat. If this component fails, it can cause problems with ventilation in your home and lead to poor indoor air quality (IAQ).
Faulty Limit Switch
A faulty limit switch can cause the HVAC to constantly turn on and off, which will result in a service call. The limit switch is responsible for knowing when the temperature outside is too cold or too hot and then turning it on or off accordingly.
Limit switches can be faulty due to age, improper installation, or damaged wiring. If you suspect your limit switch may be faulty, we recommend contacting a local HVAC technician for further diagnosis.
Tripped High-Pressure Switch
A tripped high-pressure switch can cause an HVAC unit to operate at a lower capacity than normal, which will result in a service call. The high-pressure switch is responsible for sensing when there is too much water in the system and turning it off automatically to prevent damage to the compressor or other components of the system. High-pressure switches can be faulty due to age, improper installation, or damaged wiring. If you notice your high-pressure switch may be faulty, we recommend searching for an HVAC replacement near me.
Malfunctioning Control Board
A control board controls the operation of your system, so if it breaks down, your entire unit will stop working. This is a common problem with older models and can be easily repaired by an experienced technician.
Dirty Condenser Coils
If your condenser coils are dirty or clogged with dirt, they won’t be able to do their job properly—and that means that the air being cooled will be warmer than it should be. Cleaning them regularly is vital for your system’s proper performance and longevity.
Gas Supply Issues
If your system isn’t getting enough gas or if there’s too much gas in the line, it won’t be able to operate as efficiently as it should. This can cause overheating and failure. If this happens, contact a licensed HVAC technician immediately so they can fix it before any more damage occurs.
Compressor Failure
When your compressor breaks down, your system will stop working properly—or not at all! This means no cooling or heating for your customers or employees until someone comes out and fixes it again shortly afterward, which means lost productivity time for everyone involved! Make sure your Hurricane HVAC technicians always check their compressors before starting any new project.
Excessive System Cycling
Another common reason why homeowners in Hurricane, WV, will need an HVAC repair is because their system is cycling too frequently. This happens when one part of the system isn’t operating properly—like if the thermostat isn’t set correctly or if there’s no airflow through the ductwork—and the unit needs to overcompensate by running more often than usual. This can lead to higher utility bills and increased wear and tear on your equipment!
Uneven Heating Or Cooling
If you notice that one room in your home is significantly warmer than others, that could be an indication of problems with your HVAC system. It could mean that the ductwork is clogged or improperly insulated, resulting in uneven heating or cooling throughout your home. In addition, if one room feels colder than others, it could indicate that there’s something wrong with the thermostat itself (like a broken sensor).
Strange Noises
Strange sounds can be caused by a variety of things, including bad bearings, loose belts or hoses, or failing hardware (such as fans). The first step in diagnosing this issue is to listen closely and try to identify what might be wrong. If you have an idea of what’s causing the noise but aren’t sure how to fix it, give a call to Best Virginia Heating and Cooling! We’ll help you figure out the problem so that you can get back to enjoying your home again without worrying about those pesky noises.
Inadequate Airflow
If your home’s air feels stuffy and hot, it may be due to inadequate airflow through your HVAC system. This can be caused by clogged vents or filters but also by other factors like poor ductwork or a dirty blower fan motor.
Malfunctioning Pressure Switch
This common problem occurs when the pressure switch fails to turn on or off as needed. The result is that your furnace will not turn on when you need heat, or it will keep running even after you’ve turned off the thermostat. Some other symptoms include short cycling and high energy bills due to having to run the system longer than necessary to keep up with demand.
Damaged Or Worn-Out Belts
The belts are what turn your HVAC system’s fan blades so that they can blow air through your home. If the belts break or become worn down, it could mean major problems for your system—including overheating and other safety hazards. To avoid this issue, you’ll want to make sure there aren’t any cracks on these parts of the system, which could lead to them breaking down faster than usual over time if left untreated; this should also be checked regularly during each service call!
Faulty Ignition Systems
The NACCA survey found that faulty ignition systems were the number one problem with HVAC units. A faulty ignition system can cause your furnace to stop working altogether or make it work very slowly or inefficiently. Faulty ignitions are usually caused by dirt and debris that has built up around the thermostat’s wiring and switch contacts or by corrosion on the wires themselves.
Leaking Ducts
Leaking ducts were ranked as the second most common problem in the NACCA survey. Leaking ducts can cause your heating system to work harder than necessary and waste energy—not to mention create more wear-and-tear on components within your unit. Duct leaks are typically easy for an experienced technician to detect, so don’t wait until winter when you’re trying to stay warm!
Tripped Circuit Breaker
If you find that you’ve tripped the circuit breaker for your HVAC system, it’s likely that there is a problem with either the control board or the wiring. This could be a sign of a serious problem, like a shorted wire, blown a fuse, or just an easy fix, like a loose connection. Either way, contacting your local HVAC technician for assistance is best.
Aging system
If your HVAC system has been around for over ten years and hasn’t been maintained regularly, it may be time for some repairs! An aging system may not be able to keep up with demand during peak usage times (like when everyone comes home from work) or during hot summer days when everyone wants their cool air turned on high at once. Consider installing an energy-efficient new system if you haven’t already done so recently—you’ll save money on energy costs while also protecting the environment!
FAQs
When the weather gets cold, you want to keep your home warm without relying on an old furnace that might not even be up to code. But who do you call if you’re in the Hurricane area and want to make sure that your new system is installed correctly and safely?
Call HVAC experts – Best Virginia Heating and Cooling.
Best Virginia Heating and Cooling is here for you when it comes to your heating and cooling demands. We’ve been helping people in Hurricane, WV, with their heating and cooling needs for years, so we know there’s no job too big or too small.
When you call us for HVAC emergency services, you can expect:
– A certified technician to arrive within an hour of your call
– Someone who knows how to work with your specific type of HVAC system
– The best tools for the job
– An honest assessment of the situation and an affordable solution
– A promise that we’ll never leave you in the dark about what’s going on
– A Free Estimate on Services and Maintenance
– Same Day Service if Needed
Our team of experts can help you upgrade your current equipment or install new systems in your home or office. We offer solutions that are tailored to meet your needs and budget.
Our comprehensive HVAC services include:
– Air conditioning repair service
– Air conditioning installation service
– Air conditioning replacement service
– Air conditioning maintenance service
– Heating repair service
– Boiler repair service
– Furnace repair service
We also offer everything from 24/7 Emergency HVAC Services Calls in Hurricane WV to routine maintenance checks on your furnace or air conditioner. We know how important it is that your heating and cooling systems work properly all year long, so we offer regular maintenance programs to keep them running smoothly. Our goal is always to keep our customers comfortable while saving them thousands of dollars on energy bills!
So, if you are looking for emergency HVAC services, call us today at (681) 655-1214!