The last thing any South Florida homeowner needs is an air conditioning failure. Being aware of the top problems with residential HVAC systems can help you prevent them.

May heralds the beginning of summer and all the heat and humidity we can handle. Not to mention, hurricane season, when regular rainstorms that make the climate unbearable if it weren’t for AC. Keeping on top of the most common AC problems will keep you cool and comfortable all summer long.

5. Problems with Thermostats

Fortunately, one common problem with residential HVAC systems is one of the easiest to resolve. The top five issues are:

  1. Dead battery

  2. Incorrect settings

  3. Wi-Fi connections

The last on this list only applies to Smart thermostats. If you’ve been moving furnishings or the router, the Wi-Fi signal to the thermostat may have become blocked.

Dead thermostat batteries are also a common problem. The best way to prevent it is to make a battery change part of your spring AC tune-up.

If you have a new thermostat, you may not be familiar with the settings. Many times, users turn the system “ON,” when they need to turn it to “AUTO.” The “ON” setting only turns on the fan. To ensure cooling, set the system to “AUTO,” and set the temperature you desire.

4. Blower Motor Failure

If you don’t feel any air movement from the vents when you know that it should be running, it could be a problem with the blower or the blower motor.

Vibration can cause the motor to disconnect, so check the wiring to ensure it’s secure. Check the circuit breaker at the panel to ensure it hasn’t tripped.

A more serious issue is a burnt-out motor. If the wiring seems to be intact and it has tripped a breaker, call a technician for service.

3. Leaky AC Units

When your air conditioning system is running, it removes moisture from the air during the cooling cycle. This results in condensation that needs to be adequately removed from the equipment.

If you notice water leaking from the indoor unit, look for the drain pan under the evaporator coils. It may be overflowing due to a blockage.

To remedy and prevent this problem, clean the drain pan with a weak solution of bleach and water. Remove any obstacles or overgrowth from the outdoor condensate drain.

2. Ductwork Noises

Noise from your ductwork can mean a serious problem or just some required maintenance. A whooshing sound from the ducts often means that there is a leak in your duct runs. However, it can also just mean you need to change the filter.

Metallic banging from ductwork in the attic can indicate a lack of proper support or a poor connection between runs.

To remedy this, first, try changing the air filter. Obstructions from dust and dirt may be source of the whooshing noise.

Handy homeowners with clanging ductwork can remedy the problem temporarily by supporting the ductwork and closing leaks, where accessible, with aluminum tape.

Finally, persistently noisy ducts can cost you a lot of money in energy wastage, so the best remedy is to call a professional to inspect and repair the ductwork.

1. Deferred Maintenance

Last, but not least, the top problems with residential HVAC systems are usually caused by poor maintenance habits.

Modern HVAC systems comprise complicated and carefully engineered units that must work together. A failure in one piece of equipment can bring down the whole system.

And while they are designed to be low maintenance and convenient on a day-to-day basis, they do require regular cleaning maintenance to remain functional and efficient.

Proper and regular maintenance extends the life of your HVAC system. The maintenance check is when small problems are prevented from being really big ones.

Minimal homeowner maintenance includes:

  • Changing air filters every 3 to 90 days

  • Cleaning the evaporator coils annually

  • Clearing vegetation from the outdoor condensing unit

  • Cleaning the condensing unit of dirt and debris

For best results, call a professional for a thorough maintenance check. Your technician can perform advanced maintenance:

  • Cleaning ductwork

  • Check and service the blower and condenser fan motors

  • Checking and recharging the refrigerant

  • Inspect electrical connections and controls

Make an appointment today with the experts at One Hour Air in Miami for your annual HVAC inspection. Don’t take chances with the heat and humidity this summer.