Four Common Causes Of HVAC Breakdowns

Although an HVAC system has many different mechanical parts, there are a few common areas that are typically more likely to cause a breakdown in the unit. If the system begins to malfunction or stops working altogether, these are the first areas that should be checked. Some can be easily remedied and may not require a service call to a HVAC professional, while others will most likely need a skilled technician to fix.  

  • Check the thermostat. The first area to check is whether the thermostat is on. It is not uncommon for the thermostat to accidentally get turned off, and a professional is called out just to turn it back on again.
     
  • Blown fuses. Fuses can blow when the HVAC begins to overheat. Check fuses first, to see if that’s the problem. While this is an easy fix, there may be other problems that should be looked at if the unit is overheating or if the fuse blows again shortly after being replaced.
     
  • Clogged filters. Filters that become clogged can wreak havoc on your HVAC system. Check the filter to see if you can see through it when held up against a light. If it is clogged or dirty, it needs to be replaced. 
     
  • Worn out contactors.  Each motor or compressor within an HVAC unit has a contactor, which supplies electrical current to start them. These can wear out over time, and may need to be replaced. 

There are many other problems that can go wrong with an HVAC unit, however these four areas are a good place to start. Scheduling regular residential HVAC maintenance and inspections for your unit can eliminate many of these problems before they occur, so make sure to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations.

Posted on behalf of James Smith, ClimateSmith LLC

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