The Importance of Annual HVAC Maintenance
The leading cause of HVAC problems for homeowners is usually due to a lack of scheduled annual preventative maintenance. After a few years of reliable climate control from heating and cooling systems, it’s easy to forget that there are condensers, coils, vents, boilers, filters, and more that require seasonal cleaning, inspection, and maintenance to continue to provide the temperature control we expect. A quick check by trained professionals of your heating system in the fall and your air conditioner in the spring is usually enough to ensure that your HVAC system will continue to operate reliably. If there are any signs of wear or mechanical breakdown, addressing these before they cause a malfunction with the unit will save you money down the road. Parley’s PPM Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling offers annual preventative maintenance programs that take the burden off customers from having to remember to schedule seasonal maintenance. Contact us to learn more about these great annual tune-ups for complete peace of mind every season.
How to Troubleshoot Common Air Conditioner Problems
If you notice your air conditioner is not cooling your home as it should, the best way to get an idea of the scope of your problem is to be aware of some of the more common issues that cause poor AC performance. Knowing what to look for can help you decide if you can make an easy tweak to fix the problem yourself, or if you need help from the air conditioner repair team at Parley’s PPM Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling. A few things that can cause problems are:
- Dirty Filters: The filter in your AC unit gets dirty over time. After all, it’s filtering dirt and dust particles out of the air. Filters require replacement every year, but if that vital maintenance step is skipped, a clogged filter will reduce your air conditioner’s output and require it to work harder, adding more strain to the unit. Check and replace your filters each season.
- Leaking Refrigerant: If air is blowing out of your vents, but it doesn’t feel cool, that could be a sign of low refrigerant levels. You can tell if there might be a problem with the level if you notice water around the base of the air conditioner or leaking anywhere from it. Also, look out for any ice build-up on the copper lines.
- Ductwork Problems: Low air pressure from the vents could be a sign of duct-work issues such as a clog or leak. Clogged ducts will redirect air to other vents, and a hole or gap in the duct will allow the air to escape in the attic or basement before it reaches the rooms of your house.
How to Troubleshoot Common Heating Problems
Heating systems experience routine problems similar to those of your air conditioning unit. Whether you have a boiler or furnace generating heat for your home, you can be on the lookout for a few common problems that might prevent your heater from operating at its potential. An HVAC system that runs poorly will not only end up costing you in heater repairs but will also cost you more in energy bills. Here are some basic heating problems home-owners experience:
- Pilot Light Problems: The pilot light in your boiler should always be lit so that it can burn the flame required to boil water when the thermostat calls for heat. If your pilot light goes out, it can be relit by following the instructions in your boiler’s manual. If you don’t have the manual or don’t feel comfortable lighting the pilot, call Parley’s PPM Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling for assistance. A pilot light that goes out frequently usually indicates a larger problem with the pilot that needs to be addressed.
- Thermostat Issues: Sometimes, homeowners believe there is a problem with their home’s heating system, but the problem is actually with the thermostat. If you have a digital thermostat, make sure the battery is not dead and has been replaced recently. Programmable thermostats might be off-cycle, so you can save a service call by consulting the owner’s manual to reprogram your thermostat.
- Tripped Circuit Breaker: If your heating system doesn’t come on at all, check your circuit breaker. If the heater or boiler has tripped the circuit, you can turn the circuit back on and see if it trips again. A heating system that continues to trip the circuit breaker is probably doing so because it is working too hard to heat the home. This could be due to blocked airflow from a dirty filter, and a professional can properly diagnose the cause.
Sign Up for Annual HVAC Maintenance to Avoid Common Problems
Having some knowledge about how the HVAC system in your home functions can be helpful when it comes to trying to troubleshoot the reason your heat or air conditioning isn’t working correctly. Whether you want to tackle common problems yourself or prefer the work of professionals, knowing what to look for can help you plan and budget for any potential repairs. Rest assured, our skilled HVAC contractors are here for any service call that you don’t want the hassle of dealing with yourself. Your best defense against HVAC emergencies or costly repairs is with annual preventative maintenance. At Parley’s PPM Plumbing, Heating, & Cooling, we offer affordable seasonal HVAC tune-up programs in Orem, UT that include replacing filters and cleaning and inspecting the entire system. Why not enter each heating and cooling season with confidence? Contact our trained HVAC technicians to schedule your HVAC maintenance today!
