Frequent Summer HVAC Issues and How to Prevent Them

Mark J. Biel • August 16, 2019

Air conditioning demand spikes in summer, which is why HVAC breakdowns become more frequent during this season. R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating, your go-to contractor in the state for new heating system installations , lists some common causes of HVAC malfunction, as well as the corresponding solutions.

Electrical Malfunctions 

Scorching summer heat can damage your HVAC system’s electrical components. In particular, you should make sure the capacitor, which is prone to overheating, isn’t directly exposed to the sun. 

Poor Airflow 

In addition to direct sun exposure, vegetation can indirectly cause your HVAC unit to overheat. Vegetation growing around your outdoor HVAC unit may be preventing heat from escaping.

Keeping the area around your outdoor HVAC unit free of weeds and plants can help reduce the risk of overheating. Just be careful when trimming the lawn around your outdoor HVAC unit, as weed whackers can damage the unit’s wiring. 

Dirty Air Filters 

Inefficient cooling is a symptom of overheating or an electrical malfunction. If, however, you don’t notice any problems with your HVAC unit’s external components, check the system’s air filters. Dusty filters may be what’s preventing cool air from flowing into your home. Make sure to clean or replace them once a month to ensure that airflow remains unobstructed. 

Low Refrigerant Levels 

If, however, there are still parts of your home that are warmer than others, check your HVAC system’s refrigerator coil and evaporator lines. Damaged evaporator lines mean refrigerant–which absorbs the heat inside–is leaking out. An HVAC system that doesn’t have enough refrigerant requires more power to cool your home, which puts an added strain on the system that can eventually lead to a breakdown. An HVAC contractor can easily fix these leaks. 

Compressor Damage 

If any of the aforementioned problems are left unattended for too long, your HVAC unit’s compressor might break down. In such cases, the only solution is to get a new air conditioning unit. To prevent irreparable damage to your HVAC unit, we recommend scheduling routine HVAC inspections. Just make sure the contractor you hire has extensive experience in the industry. In this way you’ll ensure your HVAC unit receives a thorough inspection. 

R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating has more than three decades’ worth of experience. We offer HVAC and plumbing repair services. To get a free estimate on new HVAC installations, call us at (505) 672-7888 or (970) 884-3358. You can also leave us a message on this form

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