Fall in South New Jersey can be a tricky time. Cold fronts leave you shivering, but a second summer has you running the A/C one last time in 2023. Thanks to fluctuating temperatures, falling leaves, and a summer where the A/C stayed on most of the time, you may notice certain problems with your HVAC system. That’s why you want to keep Heating Specialties of Fairton, N.J. in your contacts. We have experience with these fall season woes and can often troubleshoot them faster than it takes to get your favorite pumpkin spice drink from the drive-through window.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common fall problems and how Heating Specialties can help.
Clogged drain lines
When your A/C was working hard this summer to keep things cool, it was also removing excess moisture that’s produced during the cooling process. Your unit’s A/C drain line takes the water and other debris from the unit and sends it to a drain or outdoors. When dirt and debris accumulate, they can clog the line and lead to system failure. Additionally, leaves and foliage can also clog the drain, sending moisture back into your unit. You can potentially avoid these problems by cleaning around your outside drain regularly. But if your system sounds like it’s still struggling to run properly, call Heating Specialties.
Dirty air filters
Sometimes the simplest task is key to keeping your system running in any weather. We’ve had a summer of pollen, dust, smoke, and debris trying to come inside your home. Make sure you change your air filter according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Otherwise, you’re going to stress your system by forcing it to draw in air through a dirty filter.
Refrigerant leaks
Your home’s A/C relies on refrigerant to remove the hot air from indoors. If your refrigerant pipes spring a leak in the fall, you need to call in the professionals. How do you know there’s a problem? You might notice certain warning signs, like water around your HVAC unit, ice forming on your evaporator coils, and higher electricity bills.
A broken thermostat
Is your home not heating up during an early fall chill? Your thermostat may be the problem. Older thermostats can misread the temperature or short cycle, meaning they’re causing your unit to turn on and off quickly before it finishes a cycle. Remember, your Heating Specialties HVAC technician will check the thermostat during your regular fall tune-up.
Ignition problems
The outside air feels cold, but your indoor air isn’t getting warm, despite having your furnace on. Often the problem can be traced back to a faulty sensor or ignition within your unit. Something as simple as a broken sensor or a dirty pilot light can be fixed quickly during a Heating Specialties service call.
The fan runs continuously
Your heat-loving family member thinks it’s great that there’s always hot air coming from the register, but you’re fixated on the higher energy bills you’ll see if the system never turns off between cycles. First, check your thermostat to ensure that someone (we’re looking at you, a heat-loving family member!) didn’t set the fan to “on” instead of “auto.” If that’s not the culprit, you might be facing issues with the fan relay that turns the blower on. It’s time for an HVAC check-up.
You’re blowing a fuse
If the lights go out when the heat kicks on, your HVAC system may be overwhelming the circuits that keep it running. Look for the common issues that overwork your system. Is the air filter dirty? Are the vents in your home all open and letting the air circulate? If both of those are fine, call Heating Specialties. Some problems – especially those involving high voltage – require a professional.
Strange noises and smells
It’s normal to smell a burning odor when you turn on the furnace for the first time in the fall. Dust has accumulated around your furnace, and that first heating cycle can produce a burning smell. It’s also normal to hear muffled noises when the furnace kicks on and off. But be on the lookout for these other sounds and smells:
- A damp, musty smell indicates excess moisture.
- A burning wire smell suggests that the insulation around the wires has become damaged.
- Banging or whistling noises are warning signs that something isn’t right within your HVAC unit.
Don’t fall for HVAC problems! Tackle them head-on with a furnace or boiler tune-up!
Heating Specialties of South Jersey recommends keeping up with regular HVAC maintenance to maximize its efficiency and longevity. Fall is the best time to schedule a furnace tune-up because it gives our HVAC techs a chance to pinpoint problems before they leave you out in the cold. Is it time for your tune-up? Call Heating Specialties now at (866) 923-2653 or schedule an appointment online now. At Heating Specialties, it’ll be “fixed right, guaranteed!”