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Advice from the Professionals
9 Most Popular Spring HVAC Problems To Watch Out For This Month!

Campeau Heating in Sudbury, Ontario, discusses 9 of the most common spring HVAC problems and how to fix them.

9 Most Popular Spring HVAC Problems To Watch Out For This Month!

Everyone is ready for a fresh start - including your air conditioning unit! With spring poking its way out of the cold, there are a few spring HVAC problems that you need to start watching out for.

Spring has always been the season of new beginnings. The season when we tuck away our many insulated layers, open the windows wide and allow the crisp air to freshen up our homes. 

It’s the season of reviving our indoor air quality, brightening our mood and reviving our spirits!

But as we begin cleaning for spring, we often discover the harsh effects of a long, cold winter.

Broken fences.

Clogged drain spouts.

Cracked driveways.

Suddenly our spring cleaning turns to spring repairs as we fix up, tune up and get our homes back into shape.

But as you work your way through your spring cleaning checklist, don’t forget to give your cooling unit the attention it deserves. It has also survived a long winter tucked away and may need some TLC to get back up and running properly this spring.

Keep reading for the nine most common spring HVAC problems you should watch out for in your air conditioning unit.

Psssst….And don’t forget to ask for a FREE QUOTE on your spring air conditioning service with Campeau Heating this spring!

1. Dusty Air Filters.

One of the most common spring HVAC problems is a long-overdue air filter replacement. This is one of the top issues we’ve seen in the HVAC business.

Why? Because air filters usually go unnoticed.

Hidden away by your cooling unit’s air handler, the air filter can become clogged with a year’s worth of dust and debris without you noticing!

That is until you do...

Are you noticing more dust than usual in your home?

Are your spring allergy symptoms worsening?

Is your home filled with the smell of burning dust?

These are all telltale signs of a dirty AC filter that needs replacing as soon as possible.

2. Dirty Evaporator and Condenser Coils.

Another spring HVAC problem we see frequently lies in the coils of your AC unit.

Your air conditioner has both an outdoor condenser coil and an indoor evaporator coil that need regular maintenance.

The condenser coil on your outdoor unit can become clogged with leaves, branches, dirt and grime over the winter and spring months. And the evaporator coils on your indoor unit can also become clogged with dust and dirt over time.

This clogging can cause damage to your compressor, increased humidity in your home and poor indoor air quality if left unchecked.

But we never recommend checking the coils on your own.

These parts are delicate and not easy to clean. In fact, an untrained hand could cause even more damage in trying to clear the debris away.

Do you suspect a clogged coil on your AC unit? Give your trained HVAC technicians at Campeau Heating a shout!

3. A Clogged Condenser.

Don’t forget to clean your outdoor condenser unit too!

Because this unit is outdoors, it can become clogged just like your coils can - with the leaves, grass clipping and dirt blowing into it and the debris surrounding it.

Your condenser unit is one of the vital components of your cooling unit. If it breaks, your air conditioning unit may break down entirely.

Not an ideal situation as you’re preparing for the hot season ahead.

To prevent this expensive and untimely problem, we recommend clearing away all debris from the condenser. This includes overhanging branches and nearby bushes too. Try keeping a clean 3-5 foot radius around the condenser unit to prevent anything from accidentally falling into it.

4. Refrigerant Leaks.

Is it a refrigerant leak or just condensation?

The sudden temperature change from winter to spring can cause condensation on or around your condenser unit. Moisture on the ground or even dripping from the coils is a clear sign of this condensation in action.

If condensation is the case, there’s no need to contact your HVAC technician.

But what if that moisture is actually a sign of a refrigeration leak?

Other common warning signs of a refrigerant leak include warm air instead of cool air coming from your vent or strange noises and smells.

If you suspect a refrigerant leak, contact your Campeau HVAC technician right away!

5. Leaking, Clogged or Fractured Ductwork.

Have you noticed a rise in your energy bills lately? Although the cost of living has increased, hefty energy bills could also point to a duct problem - like a leak, clog or separation of ductwork.

Besides a rise in energy bills, you may also notice:

  • Strange smells and noises
  • Poor airflow
  • Mould and mildew
  • And dust

Have you noticed any of these above warning signs? If so, we highly recommend scheduling a professional duct cleaning service before turning your air conditioner on this spring.

6. A Malfunctioning or Inaccurate Thermostat.

Thermostats are the brains of the operation. But what happens when they start to malfunction? Or start giving you inaccurate readings and inadequate temperature control?

This could mean that the thermostat is:

  • Outdated
  • Low on batteries
  • Improperly installed
  • Defected
  • Or even broken

If you’re not sure how to troubleshoot your thermostat or are unsure of its age, our team can help!

7. A Faulty or Broken Start Capacitor.

How long does it take your cooling unit to respond when you change the temperature setting on your thermostat? Are you experiencing any temperature changes at all?

If not, you might be experiencing a faulty capacitor issue.

A start capacitor on an air conditioning unit delivers the necessary starting energy to the unit’s motor. It’s what allows the cooling cycle to begin in the first place!

If this component is malfunctioning, your air conditioning system will be less effective. In fact, eventually, it might not even be able to turn on at all.

We want you to start your summer off with effective and efficient home cooling. If your start capacitor is acting up, give us a call right away!

8. A Broken Contactor Switch.

Condenser and air handler not turning on? This could be due to a broken contactor switch - the component of your cooling unit that operates both the condenser and air handler.

Is your contactor switch broken? Call your Campeau HVAC technician for a quick repair! Although it’s an easy fix, it isn’t something we recommend homeowners tackle by themselves.

9. A Tripped Circuit Breaker.

When was the last time you looked at your breaker box?

During the winter months, circuit breakers can often trip - causing them to automatically shut themselves off.

If this happens, try resetting your breaker.

Is your cooling unit continually turning on and off each time you reset the breaker? It might be signalling a deeper issue.

It could be that it detected something worse and has shut off power to your HVAC system for safety reasons.

Give our team a call today! Our professional HVAC technicians can help troubleshoot the issue and provide you with a speedy solution.

 

Schedule Your Spring Air Conditioning Service With Campeau Heating Technicians

Keeping your home HVAC system in top condition all year long is what we do! Whether you’ve noticed one of the above spring HVAC problems or other related issues with your heating and cooling system, give us a call!

We’re happy to come out, troubleshoot the issue and discuss the solution that works best for your needs.

Book your pre-season tune-up or air conditioning service with our trained HVAC technicians today! You can reach our office at (705) 560-2441 or request a FREE QUOTE on your maintenance needs!

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