Everyone wants their HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems to work throughout the year and keep their homes and workplaces comfortable without thinking much about the complex machinery that makes it all possible. The components of your HVAC system work hard to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. And if they don’t get what they need, i.e., lubrication, filter replacement, thermostat check, refrigerant level checks, etc., they FAIL. 

However, they do not fail or stop working suddenly. Every component shows signs and symptoms before it starts acting up and makes your house or workplace uncomfortable. Those who care about their HVAC system notice those signs and symptoms, call a professional HVAC expert or replace the parts themselves if they are technical enough. If you are a novice but want to take good care of your HVAC, read this until the end to learn about common HVAC problems and how to fix them. 

Poor Airflow 

Imagine arriving at your home or workplace with sweat dripping like water. All you want is cool air, but your HVAC refuses to work and blows air slowly, like it is about to die the next moment. It’s what we call poor airflow, and it can be caused by: 

  • Dirty air filters 
  • Blocked vents 
  • Broken fans 
  • Leaks in air ducts 

To improve the airflow of your HVAC system, you can: 

  • Clean or replace air filters if they aren’t old enough 
  • Ensure the vents are open and not obstructed by furniture 
  • Get the fans and ducts checked by an HVAC technician 

Thermostat Malfunction 

After sitting in the bedroom for a while, you think of playing with your kids in the living room. But you find the living room is hot like hell. That’s what we call a thermostat malfunction. It is generally caused by: 

  • Dead batteries 
  • Faulty wiring 
  • Old or outdated thermostat 

To fix the thermostat malfunction, you can try: 

  • Changing the batteries 
  • Replacing the thermostat 
  • Calling in an expert to check the wiring 

Refrigerant Leaks 

You’ve set the temperature to 18 degrees Celsius, but your room is still hot after an hour. It happens when there is not enough refrigerant in your HVAC system. Here are the steps to fix this problem of refrigerant leaks: 

  • Turn off the system. 
  • Call a certified HVAC technician. 
  • They will fix the leak and refill the refrigerant. 

Dirty or Clogged Filters 

When you start getting sick frequently or experience allergies or breathing problems, know it’s your HVAC system making you ill. It happens when you don’t change the filters regularly, and dust and dirt build up all over your filters. To fix and prevent this HVAC problem, you can: 

  • Check filters monthly 
  • Replace or clean filters when required 
  • Use quality filters for better performance and durability 

Electrical Problems 

If your HVAC system suddenly shuts off or won’t turn on, it’s usually something related to the electrical components. The signs of electrical problems may also include sparking, a burning smell, or a constantly tripping breaker. Most electrical issues in an HVAC system are caused by: 

  • Damaged circuit board 
  • Worn-out or loose wires 
  • Failed capacitors or relays 

Here is what you should do when there is an electrical issue in your HVAC system: 

  • Don’t try to fix it yourself 
  • Switch off your HVAC system 
  • Call a qualified technician for repairs 

Drainage Problems 

A musty smell, a pool of water near your HVAC system, or the system turning off suddenly is a sign of a water drainage problem. Such problems are generally caused by: 

  • Clogged drain line 
  • Dirty drain pan 
  • Improper installation 

To fix the drainage problem, you can try the following: 

  • Clean the drain pan and line 
  • Keep the area around the unit dry 
  • Schedule a professional HVAC technician if the clog returns 

Strange Noises or Odors 

When your system starts making noise like a tractor or a musty smell lingers in your home, know that there is something loose within your HVAC system. Strange noises or odors are generally caused by: 

  • Loose parts 
  • Broken fan or motor 
  • Molded or burned wires 

To fix this problem of strange noises or odors, you can take the following steps: 

  • Switch off your HVAC system 
  • Call an HVAC technician to inspect and repair 

Read Also – Benefits of HVAC Design

On the Final Note 

Just like your car or bike, the HVAC system needs regular maintenance. Your system has several moving parts that make cooling or heating your space possible. However, if you don’t care enough, the components may fail to work as expected, and you may have to live without this privilege. 

To ensure your HVAC system keeps working perfectly for decades, ensure you don’t ignore the minor problems. Otherwise, they may transform into big issues beyond repair. All the common HVAC problems, their symptoms, causes, and solutions are mentioned above. If you need more HVAC information or are looking for an MEP engineer in Alberta, contact Startech Engineering immediately! 

FAQs 

Q. What issue occurs most often in HVAC systems? 

Clogged filters or poor airflow are the most frequent problems that HVAC owners face. 

Q. Which HVAC component tends to fail the most? 

Capacitors and contactors are the most failure-prone components of HVAC systems. 

Q. Where do HVAC systems typically develop leaks? 

Leaks usually form in refrigerant lines, evaporator coils, or fittings. 

Q. Which parts are most commonly found in HVAC systems? 

Filters, thermostats, coils, compressors, and fans are the most commonly found components in HVAC systems.