Tips for Avoiding Holiday HVAC Breakdowns

An HVAC breakdown is never a good thing, but it can be especially problematic during the holidays. Between the colder weather and the need to deal with holiday issues, no one wants to have an HVAC system failure on their mind. Follow these tips to reduce the odds of an HVAC headache this holiday season.

System Checks

One of the simplest solutions is to perform basic system checks. Inspect the air filters to ensure they aren’t dirty. Replace them with a new filter if there is an issue. Remember to check the batteries in your home’s thermostat to ensure they don’t die at an inopportune time.

Inspect the indoor vents and air returns for any blockages or unusual levels of dirt. Clean the vents and returns, too. Make sure the vents and returns are open. Also, verify that furniture, curtains, and tables aren’t obstructing the system’s airflow.

It is also a good idea to check the outdoor components. Even if you’re only concerned about the heating system, visually inspect the exhaust system to ensure it isn’t clogged or damaged. In many cases, you can manually clear the obstruction or adjust the exhaust vent.

Identify Warning Signs

Running a couple of system tests is another good way to reduce the risk that your HVAC might unexpectedly fail this holiday season. Turn off as many other things inside the house as possible. Likewise, perform the check when no one will be around to make noise.

Listen for clues like grinding, clicking, or banging sounds. These are signs of issues respectively with the blower motor, relays, and ignition. Also, check how well different rooms compare in terms of comfort. Something like a stuck damper or vent can significantly divert airflow, making one or more rooms cooler than the others.

Also, note how long the cycle takes. A short cycle, meaning the system comes off and on every five to ten minutes, may indicate that something is triggering an emergency shutdown in the system.

If your home has a heat pump, check the exterior components for ice buildup. This is a sign that the refrigerant isn’t circulating properly, which may indicate a leak or additional problems with the unit. Regardless of your type of heating system, note any musty smells. This could be a sign that the HVAC is underperforming or that the dehumidifier may have failed.

Humidity Control

People often think of winter air as dry air, especially if their home has a forced-air furnace. However, humidity can still be an issue in dry weather. The optimal target humidity level is 30-50%. This is low enough to prevent mold growth while staying moist enough that your skin doesn’t dry out.

Notably, controlled humidity also optimizes HVAC efficiency and reduces wear and tear. Moist air has a greater thermal mass. This means heating or cooling one unit of moist air requires more energy than the same unit of dry air. The more your HVAC has to work against humid air, the more likely it is to fail.

Musty smells indicate that a house has humidity problems. Also, cold outdoor air hitting a home’s warmer windows in winter increases the likelihood of condensation when humidity is high. If you notice these issues and your place has a whole-house dehumidifier, we can check for signs of problems. If your house doesn’t have one, you should consider adding one.

Schedule Routine Maintenance

Even if there doesn’t appear to be anything wrong with your HVAC, routine maintenance prevents issues. Many people schedule semi-annual maintenance at the end of fall or the start of winter, when colder weather begins. Our technicians can check your system’s settings and components. Even if we don’t identify a problem, we can lubricate moving parts to keep them running well through the holidays and the rest of winter.

Integrity Heating & Cooling technicians are happy to discuss your home’s heating and cooling needs, including indoor air quality concerns. We perform installations, repairs, maintenance, and replacements. Whenever there’s a job, our fully licensed technicians arrive in fully stocked vehicles. Also, our work comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Our technicians make every effort to leave your home as clean as it was when they arrived, too.

If you’re worried about the risk of a holiday HVAC failure in your Charlotte, NC home, schedule an appointment with Integrity Heating & Cooling today!