9 Dead Giveaways You Have an Overworked HVAC System

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Originally Posted On: https://kaiserac.com/overworked-hvac-system/

Having issues with your AC this summer? They could be the symptoms of an overworked HVAC system.

On the other hand, you may be one who’s overworking your HVAC system in order to compensate for these problems. Perhaps even both of these are true.

In any case, you need help. And we’re here get you the help you need before you accidentally make the problem worse.

Below are 9 obvious signs that your HVAC is working too hard. Read through this checklist to see if your HVAC is showing any of these signs.

Technically, constant operation isn’t a sign of an overworked HVAC system. It’s the definition of an overworked HVAC system.

Your HVAC is designed to cycle the air in your home as infrequently as possible to conserve energy. It’s not made to run all the time without stopping. Doing so will quickly wear down your system to death.

If you’re purposely running the fan all the time, stop. You’re wearing out your system.

If it must run constantly to keep your house at the desired temperature, it means one of two things. It could be that the system is already so worn out it can’t function properly. Or it means that your HVAC system is too small for your home and is trying it’s hardest to meet the demands of your thermostat.

Either way, your system is working too hard.

Obviously, the harder your HVAC works, the more energy it consumes to do so. And while a constantly running fan is easy to notice, other reasons for an overworked HVAC are not. For example, your system may be working harder because of an obstructed fan or a burnt-out motor.

In any case, if you see a huge spike in your monthly energy bill, an overworked HVAC is the most likely cause.

The older your HVAC gets, the less efficient it becomes. HVAC systems typically last about 15 years. Toward the end of this time, it becomes less efficient and has to work harder to get the job done.

Additionally, neglecting the necessary HVAC maintenance also reduces its efficiency and decreases its lifespan. If your system is plagued by old age and/or poor maintenance, it’s undoubtedly working harder than it should.

Is your HVAC in constant need of servicing/repairs? It shouldn’t be.

This is probably another sign that your HVAC is nearing the end of its life. Or, perhaps it keeps breaking down under the strain of working too hard. This is common in systems that are too small for the building.

When it’s functioning properly, you shouldn’t be able to hear your HVAC at all. This isn’t just for convenience. It’s actually required by law.

HVAC manufacturers are forced to make their systems quiet in order to reduce noise pollution. Even if they could sell a noisy HVAC, no one would be allowed to install it because of local noise pollution ordinances.

So, if your HVAC is notably loud, there’s a problem. More accurately, there are many different performance problems that could be causing the noise.

Loose parts, clogged ducts, obstructed fans, and compressor problems (to name a few) are all possible causes of noisy HVAC operation. Each one of these also causes your system to work harder.

If your HVAC is leaking, shut it off immediately and call for emergency HVAC repair. It could be a refrigerant leak.

In this case, reduced HVAC efficiency is the least of your worries. The refrigerant inside your AC system is extremely poisonous. It can harm or kill members of your household if not properly contained by professionals.

If you see liquid leaking from your system during operation or pools of moisture near your system, don’t hesitate to act. Have emergency HVAC repair services take a look at it right away.

Is your house always too hot, even when you run the AC? Or does it take a really long time for the AC to cool your house down?

This indicates that your HVAC is not efficient enough to handle the workload it’s been given. Whether it’s too small or simply in need of servicing, your HVAC is straining itself to cool your home.

As for what you can do about it, you’ll need to get a professional opinion. Ask your local HVAC technician whether this performance issue can be fixed through maintenance or if you’ll need to replace the whole thing.

Your house being too humid is the same situation as your house being too hot. When air conditioners cool the air, they automatically dehumidify it as well. Thus, if your indoor air is humid, then your AC is not functioning efficiently enough.

When your HVAC is working correctly, and all the supply vents are open, the whole house should be the same temperature. But, are there some spots in your house that always seem warmer or colder? If so, it means that your HVAC isn’t affecting them even when it’s running.

This could be caused by a leaky duct, a poorly insulated room, or an HVAC that’s sized to small. If any of these situations are happening, your HVAC can’t help the unaffected areas no matter how hard it works.

Meanwhile, you’ll still be running the system, pushing it to reach those rooms even though it can’t. But, rather than overworking your air conditioner, you need to find out the real cause of the problem and get it fixed.

Now that you know what an overworked HVAC system looks like, we encourage you to seek professional HVAC services for any of these problems. And, speaking of encouraging, most HVAC problems can be solved without drastic measures.

But that’s only if you fix them early enough. So contact Kaiser Air Conditioning today. We’ll come out to you as soon as possible and we’ll tell you what to do in the meantime.