Nobody wants their heat pump to break down. But if you don’t care for it as you should, that’s exactly what can happen. Fortunately, you have our team on your side if this does happen, to make recommendations for repairs or perhaps even a system upgrade if your AC was on its last legs anyway.
While that’s great though, you’d probably like to know what the top reasons are for this happening to begin with so you can prevent it from happening, right? Read on as we uncover 4 of these top reasons.
1) Skipping Maintenance
Maintenance is the #1 way to keep your HVAC system in place, no matter what kind it is. We recommend this service once a year, and typically in the spring before you need the system the most. But what’s most important here is that you’re consistent–your heat pump should be tuned up by a professional once a year at the least.
During maintenance, our technicians comprehensively inspect and clean the system inside and out. We also look for any signs that your system might need repair. Getting on top of these repair needs is what will prevent a sudden and unexpected breakdown!
2) Not Changing the Air Filter
Sure, the air filter seems like a small component within your heat pump, and it is. But it has a big job. Most folks think that it is in place to protect their indoor air quality, when in fact it’s in place to protect the interior components of the heat pump itself from dirt, dust, and other debris that can impact performance.
When the air filter gets too clogged, airflow is restricted and the coil can freeze over. If this happens, your heat pump will have trouble actually cooling, which means it will run longer and basically work harder to try to do its job effectively.
3) Ignoring Refrigerant Loss
So, there’s a fairly common misconception about refrigerant. many homeowners think that refrigerant is a fuel–like gasoline for a car. But it’s actually a fluid that makes the cooling system possible. There’s enough refrigerant inside your heat pump to ideally last its entire lifespan. That is, unless you have a leak.
And here is where the misconception comes in. An unscrupulous HVAC “professional” might tell you that it’s natural for refrigerant to leave the system, and that you have to have it refilled (recharged) on occasion. This is only a way for them to make more money, plus it’ll be really hard on the AC system. Your heat pump needs that set amount of refrigerant at all times in order to function as effectively and efficiently as it should!
If you’re losing refrigerant–which you might be able to detect through a hissing or gurgling noise, or even by feeling a loss of cooling–then it means you have a leak that you need a trusted professional to repair, and then recharge.
4) Your Heat Pump Is Old
This is the only one on our list that you simply cannot prevent. Well-maintained heat pumps are designed to last about 10-15 years. If yours is approaching this age or has surpassed it, it is pretty much impossible for it to work as efficiently as it did when you first got it.
This means not only are you paying a lot in utility bills to run this equipment, but you also risk facing a breakdown. We’re happy to discuss your upgrade options!
For quality air conditioning repairs in Canton, GA, contact Dayco Systems today!
