The changing of the seasons usually brings about an influx of calls regarding furnace or air conditioning issues.  While you might not really think about how your system will work until you need to use it, proper maintenance of heating and cooling systems can reduce the amount of problems you may experience.

Some of the most common HVAC service calls include problems with the following components:

Blown Fuses

Found in the evaporator coil, fuses provide protection for the working components of your system. Any good technician will check the circuit breaker upon arrival to make sure there aren’t any blown fuses. Overheating is a common problem with any HVAC system, as the motors and compressors generate a large amount of heat- sometimes so much that they shut down altogether.

Leakage

Refrigerant leakage or leakage within the ducts, either on the intake side or exhaust side, can cause your system to work inefficiently. A refrigerant leak can be serious and unfixable, depending on where the leakage occurred. Sealing leaks within the ducts help increase comfort and help reduce the amount of air escaping.

Thermostats

Your thermostat is responsible for telling your system when to turn on. If you’re having problems with your thermostat, check to make sure the battery doesn’t need replacing and that the unit is set correctly.

Bad Contactors

Contactors are located in the condenser fan motor, the blower motor and the compressor. Contactors are responsible for providing an electrical connection to start the system. When contactors are malfunctioning, the electrical current will not pass through to start the component.

Dirty Filters/Systems

A dirty filter can restrict air flow and cause the unit to freeze up. The filter can easily get clogged with debris and air particles over time, and a clean filter is key to protecting your system. Regularly change your filter to keep your system working properly. Likewise, a dirty system overall can cause problems. It’s recommended to get your HVAC system inspected once a year to ensure that air is flowing and each component is in good working order.

Remember to perform some routine maintenance on your HVAC system to help protect it and extend its life. It’s common to see major problems caused by an inexpensive problem or just plain negligence, and by the time you notice there’s a problem it can be too late.

Have questions about your how your HVAC system is running? If you’re in the Cleveland area, give us a call at 216-663-6462.