HVAC systems ensure that your home has the warm or cold air you need. This will allow you and your family to be safe and comfortable throughout the year. A heating and cooling system is complex and made of different components that work together for the unit to operate effectively. However, it can experience problems over time, much like other machines. The top five common HVAC emergencies your HVAC unit might experience include clogged lines, electrical issues, refrigerant leaks, negative air pressure, and gas leak.
Your system doesn’t work as it should when emergencies like those listed above happen. As a result, your home or office will feel either frigid or scorching hot. Read on to learn more about the different HVAC emergencies. This way, you can identify the problem and keep it from getting worse.
What Are The Top 5 HVAC Emergencies?
Table of Contents
Below, we discuss some of the most common heating and cooling emergencies. With this information, you’ll be able to understand what to look for and how to deal with it.
Clogged Air Conditioner Condensate Line
The condensation from your cooling system’s evaporator passes through the drain line and onto the drain pan. It can clog up with muck and algae as time passes, especially if you leave the drain pan full of water. Even worse, it can cause more problems, such as water damage to your system. Some of the signs of a clogged line are rust or mold in your system and increased home humidity.
HVAC Electrical Issue
Electrical problems can be due to an electrical system interruption. Check your circuit breaker to ensure it is in the “on” position. You might have blown a fuse if you have a fuse box. If so, this needs to be replaced. Make it a habit to check the emergency shut-off switch as well. Call a professional if the electrical issue persists. The electrical contactor could cause the problem. Having an electrical issue could mean you won’t have any heat. This is not only inconvenient as it also poses a risk to you and your family, especially if it is in the middle of winter or you live in a cold climate.
Air Conditioner Refrigerant Leak
A refrigerant is a liquid your air conditioner utilizes during its refrigeration cycle. It is known as the unit’s lifeblood as it helps cool the air that is then circulated in your home. Unfortunately, leaks can occur because of vibrations and weakened joints and links in your refrigerant lines. As a result, your system won’t be able to cool your home as it should. It will result in your system releasing warm air instead of the expected low temperatures.
If you suspect a refrigerant leak, several signs could point to this issue. Some of the common ones are the register not blowing cold air or hissing noise coming from the indoor unit. Cracks and holes in the coil cause the latter. A sudden spike in your energy bill could be another sign of a refrigerant leak. Frozen air conditioner coils can also be a sign of this issue. When the refrigerant doesn’t circulate correctly through the coils, the condensation will end up freezing the coils.
Negative Air Pressure
Negative air pressure happens when more air is pulled out of your home than returned. The air is pulled out via window and door gaps, crawlspaces, light fixtures, electrical outlets, the attic, and the basement. Heating systems like furnaces and fireplaces can also suck in air and push it out. This contributes to the negative air pressure, and it is actually the exhaust system in the HVAC that generates much of this negative air pressure.
Several indicators of negative air pressure in your home are random air drafts around your home, unusually hot or cold rooms, doors opening and closing on their own, and odd and whistling sounds. All these signs might seem as if there’s a ghost haunting your home. However, check your HVAC system first before jumping to conclusions.
Bringing more air than what your home lets out is the best way to fight negative air pressure. To do so, a duct needs to be incorporated into the HVAC system’s return duct. This will allow air from the outside to be brought inside throughout the day. You can also adjust the heat recovery ventilator/energy recovery ventilator (HRV/ERV) to draw more air inside.
Heating System Gas Leak
A gas leak in your home equals imminent danger. It can cause an explosion if it isn’t detected early. Some indicators of a gas leak are a whistling or hissing noise, the scent of sulfur or rotten eggs, and dead houseplants. Ensure that a professional regularly checks your system to avoid gas leaks from happening.
Preventing HVAC Problems
A task you can do to ensure that your HVAC system remains in good condition is to get the duct cleaned regularly. The fans, air handler, coils, HVAC system housing, and motors should also be thoroughly cleaned.
Replace the HVAC air filters as often as the system manufacturer recommends or more often, depending on your home. The filters catch the dust, dirt, and other air quality pollutants to keep them from being distributed throughout your home. It also helps your system run more efficiently and protects the system from damage. Therefore, the air filters must not be blocked. The evaporator coils should also be free of dust and debris. It can be cleaned with a mixture of water and mild detergent in a spray bottle. Spray this solution and let it soak for around two minutes before wiping off all accumulated matter.
Check your air conditioner for anything that points to clogged lines or water damage. Some obvious signs are ice build-up and a hissing sound from the refrigerant lines. Call a professional right away to help you fix these problems. Schedule yearly HVAC maintenance checks by a certified professional to ensure your HVAC system continues to operate smoothly.
Call Skylands Energy Service For Your Home HVAC Requirements
Skylands Energy Service offers superior heating and cooling services in the area. Rest assured, we hire only the best professionally certified technicians who can provide you with excellent HVAC replacements, installations, repairs, and tune-ups. All our friendly techs have the knowledge, skills, and experience to conduct accurate HVAC system services at all times.
Our company has one of the most affordable HVAC service prices in the locality. If you require an HVAC replacement system, we can recommend the most suitable one while staying within your budget. All our services prioritize your home’s energy efficiency, comfort, indoor air quality, and more. Book an appointment and call Skylands Energy Service today for a free, in-home estimate.
Contact us now at (908) 707-1776 to find out more!