If your HVAC system is installed properly, they can have lifespans that seemingly go on forever. Good maintenance helps as well. However, there comes a time when you’ll run into issues. In particular, the unbearable summer heat is a common period for HVAC to break down. If your appliances aren’t working correctly, you’ll be in for a long and exhausting summer. Here are some common summertime problems for an HVAC system.
1. Overheating
First, extreme heat can cause a wide variety of issues. When things are ridiculously hot, your appliances need to work overtime to get the job done. This can easily result in overheating. When you tell the AC to chill your home under the scorching sun, it often won’t be able to meet your demands. The difference between the outside temperature and the temperature you desire is simply too large.
If you don’t dial back the thermostat, there’s a very good chance that it will overheat sooner or later. Not only is your AC working harder, but the ambient temperature can easily account for 10 or more degrees hotter than usual. Even in the spring and fall, you already want to start thinking about how to regulate the temperature of your thermostat.
2. Low Refrigerant Levels
Next, refrigerant levels are something that should be monitored at all times. Because your AC is working so hard as described above, it is consuming an unusual amount of refrigerant. It is illegal to recharge your home’s AC system yourself, but you can have it professionally recharged by calling a company such as WK Mechanical, Inc. in Middletown, NY, to assist with checking your refrigerant and recharging as necessary.
Refrigerant is crucial to reaching those comfortable temperatures. In particular, it is inherently not good for refrigerant to heat up as temperatures rise in the day. Make sure it is being stored in a shady area and you can even put a canopy over your outdoor AC unit if necessary.
3. Dirty Filters
Dirty filters are also commonplace in the summer. After a long day outside, you are probably sweating as you exit your car and make your way to the doorstep. Grass, dirt, and other debris might cling to your shoes and skin and enter your home. When you turn on the AC, all of these particles begin circulating in the air and into the system. Fortunately, your filter will catch the majority of these particles, but it will get clogged eventually. Make sure to swap out your dirty filters so the unit can work normally.
4. Damaged Hoses
Under the stress of all of the above, hoses and valves are susceptible to damage as well. While you might not see or feel the effect of these hoses on a daily basis, they are integral parts of HVAC. In the summer, you’ll want to climb up into your shafts and take a look at hoses running through your home. At the first sign of damage, don’t hesitate to seek out repair services. A damaged hose can quickly deteriorate and become an even bigger headache. At a certain point, you’ll have to turn to replacement instead of repair.
5. Condensation
Finally, condensation is a major problem in the summer. Because things are so hot, you’re going through huge volumes of refrigerant. These liquids form condensation on the exterior of the container. While a certain amount of condensation is reasonable and the basis of cooling in the first place, an excess amount can be harmful.
Furthermore, water droplets in the wrong place can even cause a short circuit or system failure. You might consider using towels to soak up any excess condensation on the extra humid days. At the very least, be conscious of where water might flow and whether there are any vulnerable pieces of equipment nearby.
Addressing HVAC Problems
The rest of the year is a great time to prepare for the coming summer that can be exceptionally brutal. A professional resource such as WK Mechanical, Inc. in Middletown, NY, is a fantastic way to address HVAC problems in the summer. We’re familiar with the most common types of HVAC failure, and we’ll work with you to alleviate these issues. Our crew is also proficient at solving other heating, cooling, and air quality concerns. Please contact us online or by phone for an appointment to address your HVAC issues.
