While there is a myriad of issues that can affect the performance and efficiency of your HVAC system, with a little knowledge about some of the most common issues, you may be able to troubleshoot any problems. This can help you to determine whether you can resolve the issue yourself or whether you need to call in an experienced and professional HVAC technician.
An Inaccurate Thermostat
If your heating or air conditioning never seems to deliver the desired temperature, it could be due to your thermostat being inaccurate. This is usually because the thermostat is not properly calibrated or has lost proper calibration. This can be a problem with older thermostats, but it is not unheard of to have this type of issue with a brand new model straight out of the box.
The solution to this type of issue is upgrading to a digital thermostat. Digital is not only very accurate, but never loses calibration. A digital thermostat can also offer program features that can save you money on your utility bills.
Cold Air From Your Heat Pump
There are two scenarios where you may think that your heat pump is blowing out cold air. The most common is that you think the air is cold simply because you are new to using a heat pump. While a furnace can put out air at 130 degrees, a heat pump with no supplemental heat running by itself will be putting out air at 92 degrees. If the outdoor temperature is lower, this might even drop to 85 degrees. This can feel cold, but it is still warmer than the temperature inside your home. You may need to use an accurate thermometer to check whether the air is actually cold or merely feels cold.
If your heat pump is actually blowing cold air or it’s not putting out heat, it could be due to a number of issues ranging from your pump being put in air conditioning mode to a malfunction.
Outdoor Unit Making Loud Noises
If you have a heat pump, it can be common to hear loud or strange noises, particularly in the winter. The reversing valves on a heat pump change the direction of the refrigerant flow between the cooling and heating modes. When the heat pump enters defrost mode, there is a shift in the valve that causes a “whooshing” noise. You may also notice that the compressor sounds louder than usual until the refrigerant pressures equalize.
Outdoor units can also make loud noises when they “backpedal” on shutdown. If you have a “scroll” compressor on a newer system, you may notice that when it starts up, it sounds like an unbalanced washing machine.
It is also common to notice a buzzing sound that is caused by the solenoid coil on the reversing valve. This can occur even if the outdoor unit isn’t running, but this is normal as some low voltage devices are simply louder than others.
If you hear a metal on metal noise, this is a little more serious and is usually an indication that the blades of the fan are hitting something. You should immediately shut off the unit as this type of obstruction can cause damage to the fan and motor.