Heating & Air Conditioning Problems Part II

Heating and air conditioning systems provide consistent, trouble-free performance day after day. As a matter of fact, we generally don't think about them until something goes wrong, and when that happens, the effect it has on your living space is significant. Below are five common air conditioning and heating problems and what you can do to fix them.

Problem — Heating or cooling never reaches the temperature set on the thermostat.

• Your thermostat could be malfunctioning or broken: This is an easy and affordable fix; simply replace the thermostat.
• Heat or cooling loss due to leaks: Leaks and holes in air ducts lead to many problems — one of the most noticeable is significant heat loss. With heated air escaping through air ducts before reaching its intended target, achieving your desired room temperature becomes difficult. Have a professional diagnose and repair the problem as soon as possible.

Problem — Ignition failure/difficulty

These problems can result from several causes. A dirty pilot light, flame sensor, or burner can cause short cycling, furnace lockout, or delayed ignition of the burners. The best course of action is to call a licensed, reputable HVAC company immediately.

Problem — Wear and Tear

As with anything mechanical, moving parts will wear out/break down over time. Broken or failed parts can cause issues that range from excessive noise, reduced airflow, and improper heating or cooling. The best way to prevent this is to make sure a professional performs seasonal maintenance.

Problem — Tripped circuit breaker

If your system is working too hard to cool or heat your home, it may experience and overload, which will trip your circuit breaker. While resetting the breaker seems an obvious solution, there are most probably underlying problems that are causing the breaker to trip. Have these problems diagnosed and repaired by a skilled HVAC technician.

Problem — Water leaks

Both air conditioners and high-efficiency furnaces produce condensate (water runoff). Drainpipes are installed in these systems to ensure adequate water drainage. Both types of units can leak water if the drain lines are clogged or cracked. Other possible leak sources could be the collector box, heat exchanger or evaporator drain pan. Always keep the area around drain lines clear, and if you do spot a leak, call an HVAC technician.