4 HVAC Problems that Make Your Wonder, "Normal or Not?"

As much as we depend on your HVAC systems through the summer, it’s helpful to know which HVAC problems are normal and which require professional attention. Sometimes simple fixes you can do will solve the problem, but other times, they’re more serious.

1. Water Drainage

Water condensation is a byproduct of air conditioning your home and it should exit through a pipe that drains outdoors. If you see any amount of water or moisture around the air handler or nearby floors, there’s something wrong. It could be a clogged drain pan or drainpipe, or a frozen evaporator coil.

Drains become blocked from obstructions in either the drain pan or the drainpipe. Seeing the water dribble out of the outdoor drainline is normal when the cooling system runs.

2. Tripped Circuit Breaker

It’s not abnormal for an HVAC system to trip a circuit breaker once in a while, but if it happens repeatedly, it’s not normal. Circuit breakers automatically trip when they get too hot and they’re your primary protection against electrical fires. If your HVAC system throws the breaker repeatedly, turn it off and call your HVAC contractor immediately.

3. Loud Sounds

Any sounds other than the whirr and hum of the motor inside the air handler and the outdoor condenser may be signs of HVAC problems. Rattles, grinding, screeching, or banging usually indicate a mechanical issue that needs immediate attention. Fans may be loose, a motor may need oiling, or the compressor might be failing.

4. Short Running Time

When the A/C or furnace shuts off after running for a brief period, it could indicate that the air filter is excessively dirty. Running equipment with an overly dirty filter will cause serious harm to it, which is why they have safety switches that turn them off when airflow through the air handler slows. Installing a clean filter should solve the problem.

Professional technicians can identify the conditions that might cause these HVAC problems during a routine maintenance visit and prevent them from happening. If you’d like more information, contact CCAC, providing trusted HVAC services for Coastal Bend homeowners.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about your HVAC system, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 361-678-2495.