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If you live in Chattanooga, TN then you know how important it is to have a functioning AC for the hot summer months and a reliable heating system for the cold winter months. Sometimes it can be difficult to be certain what type of heating and AC repairs should be carried out. It is valuable to know what some of the common problems are so that when the heating and AC repair technician informs you about the problem then you can understand how serious it is. Metro Plumbing, Heating, and Air in Chattanooga, TN knows how common some of these problems can be and advises you not to attempt to resolve these problems yourself as it can cause serious damages to your AC unit and heating system. It is always better to get a professional to repair these problems.
First, let’s look at common AC problems.
Low refrigerant
The refrigerant is the chemicals that your air conditioner uses to remove heat and humidity from your living space. If there is an inadequate amount of refrigerant then your AC unit will not be able to remove the heat from the air. Your AC unit will blow out hot air or no air if the refrigerant is low. Sometimes it is not as easy as just replacing the refrigerant because there can be leaks or holes in the pipes. You should hire a professional heating and AC repair technician to take a look at your AC unit if you suspect that you are running low on refrigerant.
Frozen evaporator coils
Refrigerant is found in an AC’s evaporator coils. These coils are responsible for absorbing the heat from the air. You might think that the evaporator coil should be frozen however that is not the case. The evaporator coil needs a constant supply of warm airflow for it to work properly. If the evaporator coil doesn’t get enough warm airflow then a thin layer of ice will form on the coil, Your AC unit will only produce warm air or none at all. It is not advised to try and remove the ice from the coil because you risk damaging the coil. It also doesn’t solve the problem of inadequate warm airflow. A heating and AC repair technician will have the proper equipment and knowledge to fix your evaporator coil as well as repair the airflow problem.
Fan problems
Your AC unit has two sets of fans. The one fan blows indoor air over your AC unit’s evaporator coil to cool down the air. The other fan blows air into your outdoor condenser unit which expels the heat that absorbed outside the building. If either of these fans is not working properly then a heating and AC repair technician in Chattanooga, TN should be called as soon as possible. These fans can stop working due to a variety of reasons, for example, a worn motor, insufficient lubrication, a worn belt, or too much dirt. These faults can cause poor airflow. If you neglect them then it can lead to compressor failure which cannot be repaired and you have to replace your whole AC unit.
Dirty condenser coils
The condenser coils are used to expel the heat that was removed from the air by the evaporator coils. The condenser coil expels the air outside the building. Since the condenser coils are on the outside they can be covered in dirt or grime. The grime can be caused by soot and pollution in the air. If there is a large built up of dirt on the condenser coils then heat transfer can be encumbered. This will cause your AC unit to work harder to expel heat. This can lead to excessive wear and tear on the parts and even cause a system failure. If you suspect that you have dirty condenser coils then you shouldn’t attempt to clean them yourself. A heating and AC repair technician will be able to clean the condenser coils and increase the life of your AC unit by decreasing the amount of wear and tear.
Leaking ducts
The channel that the cooled air from your AC unit flows through and into your living space is called the ductwork. Sometimes your ducts can have holes or breaks. These breaks can be caused by rodents or careless workers. When you have holes in your ducts then the cool air escapes from then and ends up inside your walls. This will increase your electricity bill because your AC unit will have to work harder to produce the same amount of air. These can be repaired but sometimes the damage is too lager and a heating and AC repair technician will have to replace parts of the ducts. This might seem like an expensive repair job but if you consider the increase in your electricity bill then you will see that it is more economical to have your ducts repaired as soon as possible.
Incorrectly calibrated thermostat
Your thermostat can be calibrated incorrectly especially the older dial-type thermostat. If the thermostats are calibrated incorrectly then your AC unit is not receiving the correct instructions from the control system. This will cause your AC to produce air that is too cold or not cold enough. If you are tech-savvy and you can find a manual for the thermostat then you can recalibrate the thermostat yourself. Sometimes the thermostat is faulty in which case it is better to hire a professional heating and AC repair technician to replace it for you. This way you will know for sure that your thermostat is properly calibrated.
Clogged drains
The humidity that is removed from the air in your house by the evaporator coil has to be disposed of somehow. The moisture is removed by a drain line into a pan and then it travels down the drain. Sometimes the drain line or the drain can become clogged and other times the pan becomes full. If the water can’t drain properly then it can cause damages to your AC unit. The water can also your furnishings, walls, and ceiling. if you don’t notice it right away and repair it then mold could grow. This can become a health hazard. You could attempt to unblock the drain and remove the excess water from the pan yourself but if you reinstall it incorrectly then you might cause more damage in the long run.
Now let’s look at common heating system problems.
Faulty pilot light or ignition control
Modern heating systems can have one of two different types of ignition systems: a hot surface ignition, that uses an electric current to heat up and ignite the burners, and an intermittent, that uses a small, gas-powered flame to ignite the burners. The pilot light or ignition control malfunctions can be caused by several mechanism failures. If the ignition control is faulty then you will have intermittent or no heat in your home. If this is the case then you should call a heating and AC repair technician to fix the problem so that you can have hot air flowing through your house consistently.
Inadequate circulation and airflow
The airflow within your come can be decreased by a failing and aging system. Components such as fan motors, bearings, belts and ducts should be checked and maintained regularly. It is important for a heating and AC repair technician to inspect your heating system regularly for any faults. This will decrease the risk of your heating system overheating. If the system does overheat then you could face expensive damages. If the heating system has undergone maintenance recently and the airflow is still poor then you should check the air filters.
Dirty or blocked filters
Just like your AC unit your heating system can have dirty and clogged filters. Dirty filters can restrict airflow making the appliance work harder to circulate air. This will decrease the quality of air that is flowing through your house. Clogged filters can also blow the limit switch. The limit switch controls the fan. This problem is easy to fix and usually doesn’t require a heating and AC repair technician. If the filters have been clogged for too long and the limit switch does break then you should call a professional. You should change the air filters month to lengthen the life of your heating system. If you have any pets or you live with smokers then you should replace your air filters more regularly.
Moldy furnace and ductworks
A moldy furnace is a result of moisture build-up. The moisture can build up because of poor insulation or inadequate ductwork. Mold loves hot and humid environments and will thrive in furnaces as well as ductwork. If you smell something off then it is a good idea to call a heating and AC repair technician. Mold spores are airborne so they can enter the ductwork by blowing in from another part of the house. Once the mold spores have entered the ductwork, vents, or blower motor then they become contaminated. Mold spores easily, and quickly spread throughout your home. This could mean potential health issues for you and your family.
Leaky ductwork
Your heating system can also have damaged ductwork just like your AC unit needing heating and AC repair. Sometimes this can be difficult to see, therefore you have to monitor your electricity bill to see if there is a dramatic increase. You can walk along with the ductwork in the attic to feel if there is any hot air escaping from the ducts. You can seal off these leaks. If the energy bill is still high after you have sealed the leaks then there is most likely leaky ductwork that is inside of the walls. You should call a heating and AC repair technician to repair or replace your faulty ducts. If the ducts are in perfect working condition then you should have even heating, better indoor air quality, and backdraft protection.
A burning smell
If you have turned on your heating system for the first time since last winter and there is a burning smell then you shouldn’t be alarmed. This is caused by the dust being burnt away. The burning smell might also be caused by dirty or clogged air filters and they should be changed. If the burning smell persists after you have changed the filters then you should switch off the heating system immediately. There are different types of burning smell that you should be aware of. If it smells like electrical wires then the safety feature of the unit is broken and will cause the unit to overheat and might cause an electrical fire. Call a heating and AC repair technician because you might have a serious problem on your hands. Do not turn your heating system on until a technician has repaired the system. If it smells like burning plastic then a toy or a bottle cap has made its way into the ducts. Melting plastic emits fumes that can be dangerous to your health. If you are able to see the piece of plastic remove it and be careful because it might still be hot. If the smell disappears after you have removed the plastic object then you are in the clear.
If you live in the city of Chattanooga, TN and you are looking for a professional heating and AC repair technician then Metro Plumbing, Heating, and Air has a variety of services that will fulfill your heating system and AC unit’s needs. They provide heating and AC repairs that cover the small problems like clogged filters to larger problems like faulty systems. They will also assist the maintenance of your heating and AC system to improve the efficiency and increase the shelf life. Call today to schedule an appointment for your heating and AC repairs.
