If you’re experiencing warmer air, weak or inconsistent airflow, mugginess or increased electric bills, your HVAC unit could be the cause. And while there are many possibilities as to why your HVAC unit is malfunctioning, there are some causes that are more common than others.
Clogged Air Filters
Your HVAC’s air filter is responsible for keeping your air clean within your office or facility. However, over time your filter can become clogged with an overwhelming amount of dirt, debris, dust, allergens and pollutants from the air outside.
When your air filter is clogged, you can see decreased airflow, stuffiness and even varying warm and cold spots throughout your building. Additionally, since allergens and outside air pollutants aren’t being filtered out correctly, your health could potentially be affected as well.
We recommend checking your HVAC Unit’s air filter at least once a month for signs of buildup. Similarly, if you notice any symptoms listed above, it might be time to change your air filter. If you live in a high-humidity climate, you might need to change your air filters more often.
With Mechanical System’s Preventative Maintenance program, we regularly check and maintain the integrity of your HVAC system, which includes air filter checks and regular replacements, to keep it running smoothly and efficiently.
Dirty Coils
The purpose of your HVAC coils (both the evaporator coil and the condenser coil) is to regulate the temperature inside your building. When they become dirty, it affects the coils’ ability to effectively cool your space.
Dirt and debris simply build up on the coils over time from the various elements in the air. Dirty coils can cause your HVAC system to work twice as hard and can result in minor damages or in some cases, a complete system failure. Because of this, it’s important to clean your coils once or twice a year to make sure they’re functioning properly.
This is a task we recommend leaving to the professionals as cleaning your HVAC coils can be tricky. The coils are very sensitive, and harsh cleaning can cause significant damage to the equipment. Calling in a skilled HVAC technician will give you peace of mind.
Low Refrigerant
A low refrigerant level is possibly one of the most common problems people face when having airflow issues with their HVAC units. Refrigerant is vital to the overall cooling system as it travels throughout the unit, transforming from a low-pressure gas to a high-pressure liquid.
Low refrigerant levels can cause the evaporator coil in your HVAC System to freeze, causing your normal airflow to weaken. Because of this, your system will work overtime to try and produce the same amount of air that is normal. This extra work can cause the system to burn out and create a larger issue.
A common cause of low refrigerant levels (especially in older units) could be the presence of cracks or holes in your coils that may lead to leakage. This leakage causes the refrigerant to escape and diminish quickly over time.
Sealing a leak or replacing an evaporator coil can be complicated, so it’s best to call in the professionals to make sure you don’t extend any further damage to your unit. Additionally, you’ll get expert knowledge on how to prevent future damages and recommendations on different parts and replacements.
Unfortunately, there are a plethora of reasons and circumstances that can cause your HVAC to develop airflow issues, and it isn’t always easy to detect which one is at play. Thankfully, having an HVAC provider and partner helps not only to prevent these problems but also to step in and help repair them when they occasionally do.
Learn more information about our Preventative Maintenance programs or contact us today with any inquiries you might have.
