Common Air Conditioning Problems: Troubleshooting Them

Your HVAC system has mechanical parts, and these parts always work together once installed. The actual useful life of each part is similar, but when a part goes bad, there could be more than one issue actually happening. It is very inconvenient to go through an HVAC system failure, and the costs can certainly start to increase. It is cost-effective to replace an entire system when one or more components begin to fail.

Premature parts failure in a heating and cooling system can happen to any homeowner. Even if you find that your system is functioning correctly now, it is less expensive to replace a system compared with paying money each month to heat your home with a partially functioning HVAC system. When a system is older, it is no longer efficient, and this will cost you more money. The guide provided here will help you to understand more about your system, and how to compare it to other heating and cooling systems to help you save money.

As you evaluate your options for a better system, keep in mind that we cannot actually force you to replace your system. Armed with the right knowledge, you will make the decision yourself.

What Is The Right Age For An HVAC System?

The best answer is between 8 and 20 years. Such a big range is given because there are multiple factors that cause a system to begin to deteriorate.

There are several things that you must keep in mind when you decide to invest in buying a new system.

These include the following:

Expert Installation and Correct Sizing: Do you know if your unit was sized properly when it was installed?

Initial Build Quality: Not every manufacturer offers quality equipment. Only the high-quality HVAC systems offer the longest term of usage while cheaper units are almost always manufactured with cheap parts.

Regular Maintenance: When your system is not maintained regularly, it will have to work a lot harder compared to one that is in great shape. Remember, your heating and cooling system is mechanical. It has computer parts, coils, motors, belts, electrical components and other parts that require maintenance. Regular intervals of testing are required to make sure that a problem does not lead to a more expensive problem in the future.

System Reliability

If your HVAC unit has already been repaired more than once in the past several years, it is likely that you are experiencing more than one issue. Even though the system can be repaired again, there are costs involved with each service appointment. This is a much more expensive scenario than replacing your system.

When you hire a trusted contractor, you will know if your system is in good health or not. An experienced person will tell you if you have degraded parts or if the entire system needs to be replaced. Every expert technician will show you exactly what is wrong, and freely share this information. It is important that a contractor explains to you that your system is in good or bad shape upon inspection. Even if you think your mechanical system is too confusing to understand, a professional will explain all problems to you so that you understand.

Consider Your Entire System

It is not just the components that are installed in your HVAC system that are important. While all parts contribute to the proper functioning of your unit, other things are also involved. Your ductwork, home insulation, thermostat, and seals around windows and doors. Every issue must be addressed and considered to properly diagnose a problem with your heating and cooling system.

Improve System Efficiency

If your system was installed decades ago, it might still be working satisfactorily. It will, however, never be as efficient as the newer technological systems that are being installed. The U.S. Government created its Energy Star program that has guidelines pertaining to which systems are considered efficient or not. Under the Government guidelines, it is recommended to replace your HVAC system if it is older than 10 years. The units that are now manufactured are much better at heating and cooling compared with units that were built in the past.

Because you should consider a completely efficient system, we do recommend that you review the energy calculations provided in the section below. This will showcase the estimated savings that you could enjoy once your system is replaced. When you are using an older HVAC in your house, you could be paying for better efficiency.

Proper Temperature Controls

When you are planning to replace your entire HVAC system, it is a good idea to understand why there are now better temperature controls. You are paying to be comfortable while you are using your unit. It does not matter what time of year it is when you have access to reliable temperature controls. If your system is not providing you with the comfort you expect, it is probably time to pay for major repairs or replace your entire system.

A struggling system is one that is usually not able to maintain a temperature of around 68 degrees in the summer or 75 degrees in the winter.