Complications to Avoid with Your Home Heating and Cooling System

Your home should be a place of comfort all year long. Many homeowners ignore the HVAC system until something goes wrong. Repairs can be expensive; they may not be limited to the appliance itself. Insulation, floors, walls, ceilings and roofing materials can be affected as well. Complications with the system can be avoided by applying preventative measures. While mechanical/electrical problems can still arise, they are caught earlier and are often less expensive than problems allowed to continue.

One condition that requires immediate furnace repair is a gas leak. A rotten egg smell indicates gas is leaking into the house. Do not turn on any light switches or any electrical appliances. Exit the house immediately and call 911 for assistance. This condition is least likely to happen when regularly scheduled maintenance is performed by HVAC technicians.

A heat pump works by transferring heat from outside air or the ground into the house in the winter. In the summer, the system transfers heat from the indoor air to the outside. One of the most common problems is that the outside unit stops working. This could be due to freezing up, broken wires, defective thermostat or transformer or other problem. Routine maintenance will prevent many of these problems from occurring. Protecting the unit from lawn mower debris and keeping it clear of grass, weeds or other obstructions will also prevent damage to the unit.

One of the most common emergency calls for cooling contractors during the summer is water backing up into the house from the drain lines. During the summer, algae can grow in the drain lines and water pump. This can clog the drain line and possibly burn out the drain pump. Each month, pouring a cup of bleach into the drain pan and lines will help kill the algae. If a clog exists, a technician may need to manually clear the drain line or replace the pump.

Avoid or alleviate seasonal respiratory problems by having the ducting system cleaned and inspected each year. Leaks allow moist air to escape and contribute to wood rot, destruction of insulation and mold growth. When sealed, all the heated or cooled air is delivered to the home. This helps to lower the utility bill as well. The ducts will be insulated to prevent condensation from forming and causing problems.

To help the outside condensing unit run more efficiently and last longer, keep all debris and plants away from the unit. Provide shade to the unit during the summer to help the motor stay cooler. This prevents the motor from burning out too soon. Straightening any bent aluminum fins will allow the coils to cool the refrigerant with maximum efficiency.

If the HVAC system is not cooling efficiently, the vents or filters may be blocked. Change or clean the filters once a month to ensure the unit can take in and deliver the highest amount of air. This also prevents debris from coating the evaporator coils. Debris will prevent the air from coming in contact with the metal coils; this results in less dehumidification and cooling. The system will have to work harder to keep the selected temperature, resulting in higher utility bills.

Our highly trained technicians will evaluate the home’s entire HVAC system and give a clear report of necessary repairs or maintenance. We can also advise homeowners about new HVAC technologies that will help save hundreds to thousands of dollars each year on energy costs. We can perform energy audits as well as design, install and maintain HVAC systems in any size home. Call us at 847-403-7010 to schedule an appointment to begin saving on heating and cooling costs today.