HVAC Repair -- The Problems You May Face

HVAC repair runs the range from fixing minor issues with an air conditioning system to a full system replacement and everything in between those two extremes. As a homeowner, you probably don't spend a lot of time thinking about your central heating and air. If it works, it's fine. You probably have a million other projects and problems demanding your time. But when something goes wrong, you will certainly want to fix it as soon as possible. Some problems will require the help of a professional. Others, you may be able to solve yourself. Here are some of the problems you are likely to face at some point.

The Filter

Changing the filter is probably the easiest, yet most important, piece of HVAC repair you can do on your own. It is so vital to the continued health of your air conditioning system that it shouldn't even be classified as repair, but rather maintenance. Experts differ on how often the filter should be changed, but you can't go wrong by doing it once every month. This could be slight overkill, so look at the filter when you change it. Is it dirty? If it still looks clean, you can get away with waiting a longer period of time before switching it out.

Condenser Fins

If you waited too long to change the filter, simply switching it out may not be enough. After enough time has passed, the condenser fins can get clogged with dirt and dust. It probably isn't necessary to call out an HVAC repair specialist quite yet, however. Take a soft brush and clean out the extra dirt and grime yourself and see if the air quality improves. You might find that a clean feather duster can give you better results.

Low Freon

If you aren't satisfied with the coldness of the air you're getting from your system, you could be running low on freon. There are gauges you can buy to see if this is what's happening with your unit. If it is the case, however, you will have to entrust this HVAC repair to a professional. Laymen are not allowed to work with the gas. Because it can be a hassle to get this taken care of, have your air conditioner looked at once a year and make sure the technician takes a look at your freon pressure. He will be able to determine if you have a leak which could lead to problems later on.