Top Signs Your HVAC System Needs a Professional Tune-Up

It should come as no surprise that a well-maintained HVAC unit can help keep it operating at peak performance and can even reduce the overall cost of your home’s heating and cooling thanks to energy efficiency. That’s why routine maintenance calls with your local HVAC experts is always a recommended step and can keep you one step ahead of many problems as they begin to form, and extend the life of your unit.

But of course, it’s very possible that things will go awry between routine maintenance visits. Sometimes it’s obvious (the unit just stops turning on, for example), but in most cases, it’s a subtle change in operation that could portend bigger issues. So how do you know what to look for? Let’s talk about some of the main signs that something is amiss in your heating or cooling unit—these are all signals that something is just a little bit off (or even sometimes a lot off), and a quick call to us might save you headaches and cash down the line.

Similarly, if you don’t have a routine maintenance plan, these signs could be your last chance to get a technician in there before something breaks fully—leading to more expensive repairs.

Signs Your HVAC System Needs a Tune-Up

1. Uneven Heating or Cooling

If some rooms are being heated or cooled faster than others, or rooms are lagging behind the rest of your home in reaching the desired temperature, this could be an indication of a number of issues. Your ductwork could need repair, a thermostat could be malfunctioning, or the HVAC unit could be working inefficiently, making it hard to reach certain areas of your home. Notably, some home layouts require zoning systems and units that can handle rooms with different needs, but if your formerly evenly-heated or evenly-cooled home is now a little off-balance when it comes to comfort, it probably means something’s off.

2. Unusual Noises

All HVAC units make some level of noise. While there are wide ranges in how loud or quiet systems can be when working at peak efficiency, the introduction of any new sound when the unit is running warrants inspection. Clanging, rattling, or grinding sounds might be the result of loose or worn-out components, or the introduction of a foreign object into the system that could wreak havoc. Call an expert right away if you hear something worrying; ignoring strange noises could result in major (and costly) system failures in short order.

3. Weak or Inconsistent Airflow

Similar to how heating or cooling in certain parts of the home changing over time might signal a need for expert fixing or cleaning in an HVAC unit, a change in the airflow suggests issues in the ductwork or unit. If it feels like barely any air is getting through your vents, there could be obstructions in the ducts that need to be removed, the blower motor might be need in servicing, or filters could be clogged. Many units do have external filters that you can replace yourself without expert help, but if switching that out doesn’t improve the situation, give us a call. Proper airflow is a major component in energy efficiency and the overall comfort of your home.

4. Frequent Cycling On and Off

If your unit is tuning on and off more often than it usually does, it could be an issue of thermostat problems, unclean coils, or a lack of system fit. Tuning on and off rapidly (what we call “cycling”) puts a lot more strain on a system than normal operation, which will reduce the useful life of the unit and could lead to bigger issues down the road. It also uses up a lot of power to stop and start that isn’t going directly into heating or cooling a space.

5. Bad Odors or Poor Indoor Air Quality

Does something smell…off? And is it persisting after you’ve checked the bathroom and the laundry (hey, pretty often those are the real culprits)? You may have a dirty HVAC system on your hand, as musty or burning smells could indicate anything from mold growth and clogged components to electrical issues. Keeping your HVAC clean with expert help is crucial when it comes to keeping it from circulating dust, allergens, and other pollutants throughout the home. Given the importance of indoor air quality when it comes to health, you should not ignore such smells coming from your heating and cooling system.

6. Higher-Than-Normal Energy Bills

Sometimes it’s not a sound, smell, or feeling in the air that will tell you things aren’t right with your system. It can be written out in numbers—on your monthly energy bill! It’s important to note that energy usage varies month to month based on the weather outside, but if you notice a large spike in your bill that doesn’t clearly correspond to normal weather patterns (like a mild March costing much more than a frigid February), this might mean your HVAC system is straining, working harder than it used to—and harder than it should have to—due to inefficiencies. Routine maintenance from experts like ours can go a long way toward keeping unit performance near optimal levels and preventing unusual energy-usage spikes from sending you a nasty surprise in the mail one month!

Don’t Wait to Bring in a Certified Technician

HVAC experts—like the certified technicians on our staff—can provide a thorough inspection of your unit and/or ductwork to identify any issues and help fix them before they escalate into a major problem. We’ll check filters, electrical connections, refrigerant levels, and every component down to the coils (which we can clean for optimal performance and airflow!). We’ll ensure the thermostats and sensors of your unit are properly calibrated for maximum efficiency—and cost savings.

And while any of the above signs that something is wrong with your HVAC should warrant a call, experts in our field highly recommend not waiting until something is wrong before having professionals service your system. Regular maintenance can prevent expensive repairs, reduce monthly energy bills, and extend the life of your HVAC unit—not to mention making sure your family stays comfortable. Contact us today to set up a visit by our team!