How To Know When Repairing HVAC Equipment Is Necessary In Austin, TX

Minimize Costs With Regular Maintenance & HVAC Troubleshooting

Repairing HVAC Equipment at Home

How Regular Maintenance & DIY Troubleshooting Can Save You Money

Repairing HVAC equipment is time-consuming and can be costly. However, making time for regular maintenance and troubleshooting the smaller issues can save you money in the long run while ensuring everything continues to function properly.

Proactive action when dealing with minor HVAC issues and regular maintenance on your home’s system can reduce the likelihood of needing expensive repairs in the future. These actions also help to minimize system breakdowns that require repair or replacement services and can dramatically extend your HVAC’s lifespan.

Keep reading to learn more about the importance of maintenance, how to troubleshoot problems, and when it’s time to call in a professional to repair your HVAC equipment.

How Long Should Your HVAC Unit Last?

The Importance of HVAC Service to the Lifespan of Your Unit

Depending on the model, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment can last change to 10-12 years. Other factors that can have a negative impact on your equipment’s lifespan include: 

  • Poor Quality Components 
  • Oversized AC Systems
  • Improper Installation
  • Installation in Corrosive Environments

Still, the most significant factor in determining the life expectancy of HVAC equipment is whether you have properly maintained the system. Going without regular maintenance is detrimental to the system’s longevity and may lead to issues sooner rather than later. 

Unmaintained systems have to work 20% harder than serviced HVAC units just to keep up, putting them under unnecessary added stress. According to the Indoor Air Quality Association, preventative and proactive maintenance reduces your risk of repairing HVAC units by 95% and removes airborne contaminants 2 to 5 times better than their poorly maintained counterparts. 

To get the most out of your HVAC equipment, experts suggest having HVAC maintenance performed twice yearly: once for your AC in the spring before the summer heat kicks in and again in the fall to prep your heater before winter comes.

DIY Solutions to Minor HVAC Issues

Troubleshooting minor issues can also reduce the likelihood of needing to repair your HVAC equipment significantly. Keeping an eye out for trouble helps you stay on top of small issues before they become serious problems. In addition to that, it can increase the lifespan of your machine by keeping parts working efficiently so that no other component has to pick up the slack.

While most maintenance and troubleshooting tasks will fall on a qualified technician, you can do a few things to maintain your HVAC efficiency right at home.

  1. Change Air Filters: Clogged air filters can lead to further clogs in the unit. They also increase the stress on your machine, making it work harder. When this happens, your bills increase, and the air output decreases along with its quality.

You should change your filters every 2 to 3 months for optimal performance.

  1. Clean the Coils: Making sure your HVAC’s coils and fins are debris-free will help keep air flowing more evenly throughout the house.

It’s a simple task, but make sure you don’t use too much pressure. If you bend a fin, no worries. Buy a simple fin comb from any hardware store to straighten them out.

  1. Set Your Thermostat: Turn up the temperature in your house when you plan on staying gone. This lessens the time the system must run to maintain your specifications.

Doing small things to keep up your HVAC equipment’s efficiency will go a long way. However, don’t forget to watch for anything out of the ordinary while performing these tasks. Repairing HVAC equipment gets more expensive the longer you wait, so it pays to catch red flags early through troubleshooting.

DIY Troubleshooting To Repair Your HVAC Equipment

Avoid Costs by Finding the Problem First

Minor troubleshooting helps you identify potential problems early on and take steps to prevent them from getting worse. Once you have the skills to troubleshoot HVAC issues, you can rest easy knowing that between your watchful eyes and the diligence of a quality service technician, your HVAC is operating at peak condition. 

To help get you started, here are a few scenarios you should have no problem troubleshooting on your own or through the guidance of an experienced technician.

As anticlimactic as this sounds, thermostat malfunctions are the leading cause of why HVAC equipment won’t power on. In cases like these, there’s no need to repair your HVAC; you just need to ensure the thermostat receives the correct signals. 

First, make sure it has power. Then, check the setting to ensure it is in the correct mode and that the temperature setting is either below or above the current room temperature– depending on whether you want to cool or heat– to initiate the air cycle. 

If that doesn’t work, check your power source. You could have blown a fuse or tripped a breaker. Finally, you can check the external HVAC switches near the outdoor condensing unit or indoor air handler. They could have been accidentally turned off and you will want to ensure they are on before scheduling a repair.

Low or no airflow is another service call we often receive. If you believe you have a blockage or leak, you’re able to check your air filter right at home to see if you can identify the source of the problem. Air cannot pass through clogged filters keeping your system from cooling your home. Replace the filter with a new one to see if that resolves the issue.

You can also check your air ducts to see if sections of your ductwork have disconnected. In these situations, you can call an HVAC repair specialist at Green Leaf for assistance in reaching the problem area.

As systems age, it is normal for them to make more noise. However, not all sounds are normal. If you hear any of the following sounds, turn your HVAC off and call a specialist at Green Leaf.

  • Squealing indicating belt issues.
  • Grinding possibly indicating a rusting motor.
  • Rattling which could mean loose, bent, or dirty coil fins and fan blades.

Pinging implying that there is a loose piece of metal in the ductwork.

Another critical part of troubleshooting is knowing what signs mean you will soon be repairing HVAC equipment in your home or business. Red flags indicating trouble is on the horizon include:

  • Your Unit Won’t Cool/Heat
  • Trouble/Unable to Turn On or Off
  • Reduced Airflow
  • Blowing Hot When You Want Cool and Vise Versa 
  • Loud Noises

Any of the above signs indicate that you have a problem that needs professional assistance. Troubleshooting before you call will help you be able to provide the information you need to explain the situation to your technician and answer questions.

repairing HVAC - Austin, TX

When DIY Troubleshooting Is Not Enough

Repair Your HVAC Equipment in Austin, TX, With Green Leaf

In the event that none of these tips are successful, it is essential to stop what you’re doing, shut off your air handler and contact one of our professional technichan’s in Austin, Texas who can repair your HVAC. The last thing you want to do is cause further damage to your HVAC equipment and if you keep it operating despite its issues, it may result in costly repairs or replacements as well as shortening the lifespan of the system overall.

Let Green Leaf HVAC and Plumbing take care of all your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning needs in Austin. We are an exceptionally qualified team of NATE-certified contractors who specialize in repairs, replacements, installations, and maintenance for all HVAC equipment. Our technicians have the knowledge and experience needed to carry out their work with precision so you can feel secure in knowing your system is in safe hands.

As the most trusted source for HVAC solutions in Austin, Tx, it would be our pleasure to assist you. Save some of your green this season by using HVAC repair and maintenance services from Green Leaf.