
As temperatures start to drop, you might notice some issues with your HVAC system. Addressing those issues, especially the problems with your heating units, is crucial to the safety and comfort of your home.
At Ambient Edge, we don’t just offer high-quality HVAC maintenance, repair, and installation services. We also provide information and tips that help homeowners throughout Nevada keep their heating and cooling units in excellent shape.
That’s why we’ve decided to educate homeowners about what they can do to solve the seven most common fall HVAC problems.
1. Clogged Drain Lines
During the fall season, it’s common for leaves and other debris to get lodged in HVAC system condensate coils and drain pipes, causing heating and cooling units to work harder and even malfunction. For clogged heat pump coils, we recommend shutting off the system and hosing down the outdoor coils.
If your AC drain line seems to be clogged, you can easily flush it out by turning the system off, removing the drain cap, and pouring a quarter cup of vinegar into the line. Once the vinegar has sat for 30 minutes, flush the line with water.
If you’ve performed these simple fixes and your HVAC units are still giving you trouble, it might be time to call a professional HVAC repair service. A skilled HVAC technician can remove serious blockages from your drains and determine if there’s another reason why your units are underperforming.
2. Dirty Air Filters
HVAC air filters prevent dust and debris from building up in your units and causing issues. They also improve your home’s air quality by trapping allergens and other unwanted particles. When you neglect to change your air filters, your HVAC units may overheat, consume too much energy, and deteriorate faster than normal.
Fall is a great time to change your air filters, but it’s recommended that you switch your filters once every 90 days. Doing so will keep your home’s air clean and your HVAC system running in excellent condition.
3. Duct Leaks
If you’ve noticed that your HVAC system is failing to heat your home properly or if some rooms are colder or warmer than others, there may be a leak in your ductwork. Over time, ductwork can become disconnected or damaged, allowing heat to escape and cold air to enter.
It’s common for homeowners to notice ductwork issues in the fall, as it’s the time of year when everyone starts to rely on their heating system to stay comfortable. Fixing ductwork leaks on your own can be incredibly difficult if you don’t have prior HVAC maintenance experience. A licensed HVAC technician can seal the leak or advise you if it’s time to replace your ductwork.
4. Refrigerant Pipe Leaks
Hot summer temperatures can cause significant wear and tear to your HVAC system’s refrigerant pipes. By the time fall comes around, it’s common for refrigerant pipes to spring a leak and cause a host of other problems.
If you’re dealing with a leaking refrigerant pipe, you shouldn’t try to fix it on your own. Instead, schedule an appointment with your local HVAC maintenance company. They’ll be able to seal the leak and make any other adjustments your cooling unit needs to run at peak condition next summer.
5. Faulty Ignition Sensor
It’s common for fall temperature changes to put pressure on the sensors in your HVAC system and cause them to fail. If your heater isn’t turning on when the temperature drops at night, you might be dealing with a sensor failure or a pilot outage. Fixing ignition sensors and pilots is best left to an HVAC professional.
6. Malfunctioning Thermostat
If you’re having trouble heating your home this fall, your thermostat might be malfunctioning. If you have a programmable thermostat, refer to the owner’s manual to learn how to reprogram its temperature schedule for fall.
If your heating issues don’t respond well to the thermostat adjustments you make, you might need to replace your thermostat. A licensed HVAC technician can take a look at your device and, if possible, repair it. Otherwise, they can recommend and install a new one.
7. Blower Won’t Turn Off
Another common Fall HVAC issue is a heating system blower that stays on longer than it should. Blowers that keep running can drain energy and cause unnecessary strain on your system. If you’ve noticed that your blower stays on after your furnace’s heating cycle has ended, there’s an easy fix you can do by yourself.
Go to your thermostat and see if your fan switch toggle is set to ON. If it is, you’ll want to change it to AUTO. If the problem persists, we recommend having an HVAC service take a look at your heating system. They’ll be able to diagnose the problem and repair it right away.
Regular HVAC Maintenance Can Prevent Common Fall Problems
Now that you know more about the HVAC issues every homeowner experiences when temperatures drop, you might be wondering how you can avoid them altogether. The easiest way to avoid the seven most common HVAC problems this fall is to schedule annual or bi-annual preventative maintenance.
During a preventative maintenance visit, a licensed HVAC technician will run tests on your units and identify issues that could turn into major problems in the future. They’ll make simple fixes and inexpensive adjustments to ensure that your heating and cooling units are reliable when you need them most.
Keeping up on HVAC maintenance can also extend the lifespan of your heating and cooling systems. It can also help them run more efficiently, lowering your energy consumption and reducing the amount of money you spend on utilities.
We’ll Fix All Your HVAC Problems This Fall
Busy work schedules and family commitments can make it hard to find time to perform DIY fixes on your HVAC units. If you don’t have time to maintain your heating and cooling units or if you’re dealing with an issue that’s beyond your skill set, Ambient Edge has got you covered.
Our NATE-certified technicians can diagnose and fix any HVAC issue you run into this fall. If they find that one of your units needs to be replaced, they’ll recommend and install a new one that’s guaranteed to keep your house warm this cold season. Contact us online to schedule your HVAC appointment.