Some Early Fall Issues You May See With Your HVAC System

You may be ready to enjoy the cooler weather and all the fall festivities, but your house may not be adequately prepared. While some HVAC issues are merely a matter of cleaning and changing filters, something you can do yourself, most of the below issues may develop into more serious issues if they’re not addressed early enough. Most of these problems can be avoided by scheduling regular preventative maintenance and tune-up services. We recommend you get your system checked annually to avoid having breakdowns and outages during extreme weather conditions.

Below are early fall issues your HVAC system might encounter.

Dirty Filters

Regularly replacing your air filter is among the essential things you could do to extend your furnace’s efficiency and lifespan. If the filter is dirty, it can restrict airflow, causing the unit to work twice as hard to circulate air throughout the house. This also puts unnecessary strain on the furnace’s blower, resulting in comfort issues as well. A dirty air filter can also cause your unit to overheat and shut off. Debris and dust particles trapped in the air filter can be circulated with the warm air in your house, leading to health problems for individuals with allergies or asthma. We recommend you change the air filters as often as the manufacturer’s manual instructs you to.

Lack of Proper Maintenance

To keep your heating unit functioning properly and efficiently, you must schedule regular professional maintenance. Almost all furnace problems can be avoided with proper maintenance from an experienced and certified service contractor. Having a home heating system is an investment. Protect that investment today by contacting our experienced and certified technicians at Integrity Heating & Cooling. Neglecting to perform regular maintenance on your unit will lead to unexpected breakdowns that require costly repairs, higher and increased energy bills, ineffective performance and a lot of frustration.

Ignition or Pilot Problems

The pilot light is the heart of your heating unit; it’s essential to keep tabs on it regularly. A well-functioning pilot light should be blue. If you notice a yellow or flickering pilot light, be alarmed. It could be a sign of carbon monoxide emission or other types of contamination in the flame. If you are familiar with the unit, you could check the carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working. You’ll need to also make sure your household is not in immediate danger. Ensure you turn off the gas and electricity from the unit before doing anything.

Ignition problems can also arise from numerous causes such as a dirty flame sensor, pilot or burner. These issues could cause pilot outages, delayed ignition or furnace lockout. Whatever the problem is with your unit’s ignition or pilot, don’t attempt to solve it yourself. Contact us at Integrity Heating & Cooling; our technicians are highly experienced and equipped to handle the dangerous elements involved, such as high voltages and natural gas.

Thermostat Malfunction

There are two types of thermostats: non-programmable and programmable. The thermostat is the control hub of your whole heating system, and how well it’s functioning can significantly affect your household’s comfort. Often, if your furnace is not functioning properly, the problem is with the thermostat or its settings. Refer to your user manual and review the thermostat’s operating instructions. This could save you hundreds of dollars on unnecessary service calls. If you have a thermostat malfunction, you can start by removing the cover to see if debris and dust particles are the root cause of the problem. You can also check the batteries and replace them if necessary. If nothing works, contact us at Integrity Heating & Cooling. We are always on standby to assist.

Unusual Furnace Noises

Some noises produced by the system are part of the normal operations, while others indicate a mechanical issue. A squealing or whining motor may mean that the bearings in a blower or inducer motor are failing. A replacement of the motor is needed to avoid a failure of the whole system. Dirty burners or airflow issues can cause other noises. Whatever the problem is, please don’t ignore any weird noises coming from your furnace; they may be a warning sign that the unit is operating under dangerous conditions. They may also indicate an impeding furnace failure.

Water Leaks

All HVAC systems produce condensate and are equipped with drain pipes to ensure that the condensed water is drained correctly. Your furnace may leak water if the drainpipe is cracked or clogged. To keep the drain lines clean, you can pour bleach down the drain from time to time. Other possible sources of water leaks may be the heater exchanger, evaporator drain pan or the collector box. If you notice any leaks, call us, and our technicians will help you determine the source of the leak and advise you on the best repair.

A Continuously Running Blower

There are several reasons why your blower may be continuously running. Before picking up the phone to call us, ensure you check the fan switch on the thermostat first. The motor will automatically run if the thermostat is set to the “fan” position. Most people accidentally turn the fan switch on. A fan also relies on your furnace, and it turns the blower on wherever there is a call for heat. The blower will run continuously if the relay sticks. There are also other types of limits and safeties on your furnace that, if activated, could cause the circuit board to cool the furnace down. If the safety or limit doesn’t reset, the blower often runs continuously. Our trained technicians will evaluate the problem and present you with repair solutions.

Tripped Breakers or Blown Fuses

When the blower is overworked, it causes the furnace to trip the circuit breaker. If there is an airflow blockage in your system, the blower often works harder to compensate. The most common cause of this problem is a dirty or clogged air filter. If the air filter is clogged with debris and dust particles, the blower has to work harder to force the air through the filter. This often increases the amount of energy the blower is consuming, and sometimes it can trip the circuit breaker. If it’s a recurring problem, it’s essential to contact a professional to diagnose if the problem is caused by a malfunctioning circuit breaker or the furnace itself. Other issues that cause the blower to overwork include dirty coils, blocked air registers or duct leaks.

Schedule Fall Maintenance Today

If you want your system to be ready for the fall and coming winter, call us today for a maintenance check. Regular maintenance and tune-ups could prevent smaller problems from turning into significant issues. It could also extend the lifespan of your unit. Whether you need a furnace or AC tune-up, repair, maintenance or installation services, Integrity Heating & Cooling can help. We are a NATE-certified and leading Lennox and Trane preferred dealer, and we offer numerous comfort solutions for your home. Call us today to schedule service in Charlotte and the surrounding areas.

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