Beat the Summer Heat Wave: Common Summer HVAC Problems

The average American household spends nearly $4 every day on powering HVAC systems to keep the house cool during the summer.

Even without considering the extra figures on the power bill, this goes to show just how hard HVAC systems have to work in the summer. Unfortunately, due to the extra load, AC systems tend to act up when summer is in full swing. An AC system that’s not working properly will completely ruin your summer experience.

Below are five common HVAC problems that you could experience this summer, and how to solve them.

1. Poor Air Flow

Poor air flow, in most cases, is an indication of clogged or dirty air ducts and filters. It may also be caused by a leakage in the air duct system or power failure of the driver fan.

Clean out the air ducts and filter, and carefully seal off any air leaks. If that doesn’t solve the problem, have a technician examine the driving fan for possible power loss.

2. Warm Air Coming Out of the Vents

Warm air means that the system is not cooling the intake air sufficiently. There are two possible causes for this problem.

The air inlet and circulation could be constricted by solid obstacles like dust, leaves, and debris. If that’s the case, clean away all the dirt from filters and vents in the inlet system.

Low levels of refrigerant could also be the cause of warm air. A HVAC system does not consume any refrigerant during operation; low levels can only be caused by a leak. You’ll have to fix the leak and top up the lost refrigerant to resume cooling. 

3. Poor Quality Air

This is a common problem during the summer. Many systems use a filter-based air purification system to clean the air.

If you notice any dust or hay-ish smell in the air, it’s probably because the filters are dirty. Filters are quite easy to replace; in most cases, you won’t need a technician. Always keep some spare filters during the summer months.

4. Rapid Cycling

The system cycles rapidly between the on and off settings. This could mean that the evaporator or condenser needs to be cleaned. It could also be a problem with the thermostat, although in most cases it’s highly unlikely.

5. System Won’t Power Up

If the system doesn’t power on, check whether the thermostat is set to cool. Next, check whether the system is receiving power. If everything is okay, it could be an electrical failure of components such as relays and power regulators.

You will need to call in a technician.

If the problem is persistent, there may be a compatibility issue with the AC installation and the main power supply.

Avoid HVAC Problems Altogether

The only way to avoid most of these HVAC problems is to have the system regularly serviced and cleaned. Typically, HVAC systems need a maintenance routine every few months.

Don’t wait until the system breaks or fails to call in the repair crew. Heavy repairs could cost you more than the cost of maintenance. You’ll probably have to endure the summer heat without any AC as the problem is being solved.

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