Food For Thought

HVAC systems make life easy and comfortable. You can beat the chilly breeze in the cold months and save yourself from the scorching heat in summer.

Appliances make life easier; until they conk off one fine day and demand the intrusion of heating and cooling repair professionals.

Home owners often shun or postpone the need for heating and cooling repair; until the system fails to strain beyond saturation and shuts down completely. What they fail to understand is that the minor problem, which could mostly be rectified in a short while with minimum repairs, magnifies to a greater degree, which finally demands heavy repairs, colossal expenditure or a complete replacement.

Mostly, HVAC issues are simple and can be dealt with minimum time and effort. Sometimes, it’s a small DIY job. Well, if it’s more than that too, call in the professional and save the problem from taking a colossal form.

Here are the common problems you often encounter in your HVAC system

Everyday problems and solutions

Raining water: Often, water begins to pool near the AC or drips from the AC. This happens when the drain pan of the evaporator coil overflows due to a blockage in the drain line. This block can be cleared by cleaning the pipe with a wire. If the problem persists, a good idea is to allow water to flow through the drain pipe, which in turn drains out the blockage from the pipe and rectifies the problem. If the problem continues, it is best to call in the professional.

Heating system not working: When your heating system fails to heat the place around, it indicates a common problem with the reset button. Go to the box at the burner and turn the red switch on, which often trips due to various reasons.

Simple issues like clogged filters, dripping water and turning the button on can often be addressed by home owners. However, complex problems need the expert hand and eye of the professional HVAC technician.

Here are the problems which demand professional intrusion.

• When the system is running, yet the air is not cool. This often indicates a problem with the refrigerant.
• When you hear odd sounds from the system, it is mostly a problem with the compressor, which is certainly not a DIY job.
• When the system refuses to kick start at all, it’s time to call the professional.
• When your heating system gives off smoke, it is a sign of a combustion problem. Only expert professionals can rectify this issue.
• Often, the burner fails to run. Burners work on electricity, and one of the prime reasons for not working is a problem with the circuit. Get the connections and circuits checked with the professional.
• When the oil burner emits odors, it’s a sure sign of distress.

Repairs are not a luxury when the system conks off completely. However, timely repairs and maintenance at the end of the season not only ensures proper functioning, but also promises longevity for the system.

So, why bear with the brunt of the weather if you can set the alarm for "timely" repair?

The author is an HVAC repairer by profession and love to write articles on this topic. In this article, he has highlighted the things that one needs to consider when hiring professionals for heating and ac repair in Pembroke.