In Macon, Georgia, the climate gets hot and muggy in the summer. The humidity can cause your air conditioner to overwork as it tries to remove excess moisture from the air inside your home and achieve your desired temperature level.
In the winter, the cold and wet weather creates strain on your heating system. The moisture level in the air also affects the way the air feels inside your house (the perceived temperature) and may make you feel sticky or uncomfortable, even when the HVAC is running.
Along with excess humidity, the most common HVAC issues that Bibb County residents face are preventable with regular maintenance and timely repair services. At Ricky Heath, our licensed techs provide expert HVAC services throughout the area, including AC and heating repair in Perry, GA, AC and heating installation in Warner Robins, GA, and HVAC maintenance services in Macon, GA.
Common HVAC Issues in Macon, GA
Here are the seven most common HVAC system problems we see regularly.
1. Dirty or Clogged Air Filters
Your HVAC filter is designed to trap airborne particles such as dust, hair, dander, allergens, mold, and other contaminants. It has two jobs: improving the indoor air quality in your home and keeping these particles out of your HVAC system’s fragile interior parts.
When the filter becomes too clogged with dirt and grime, air can’t flow through the system properly. This makes your air conditioner and furnace work harder to push cooled or heated air around the house, using more energy and adding strain to the fan motor and other parts. You may notice loud furnace blower noises, poor airflow, or worsening air quality.
This is one of the most common HVAC problems, but luckily, if you know the right type of filter to use and where it goes, you can change your HVAC filters yourself. We recommend checking your filter at least once every three months, or more often during heavy use.
2. Thermostat Malfunctions
Your thermostat is the “control center” of your HVAC system. It senses the ambient temperature of your home and sends signals to the air conditioner or heater to turn on and off to meet your desired set temperature. When your thermostat malfunctions, you might notice:
- No power to the thermostat
- Short cycling
- Uneven temperatures throughout the house
- High energy bills
Incorrect settings can cause your AC to run without cooling your home, while a thermostat issue might prevent your furnace from reaching the set temperature, for example. If you suspect a thermostat issue, call Ricky Health for an expert diagnosis.
3. Refrigerant Leaks
A refrigerant leak might be a sign that you need a new HVAC. Refrigerant is a hazardous cooling agent that may lead to environmental hazards and health risks if it escapes your air conditioner. If you suspect a leak, don’t try to fix it yourself. Call an HVAC professional right away.
Signs of a refrigerant leak include:
- Ice buildup inside the air conditioner
- Poor airflow from your vents
- Warm air blowing when the AC’s on
- A hissing sound
4. Electrical Failures in HVAC Systems
Electrical failures in HVAC systems are usually caused by:
- Cooling or heating installation on overloaded electrical circuits.
- Loose electrical connections.
- Damaged or corroded wires.
- Faulty electrical components.
Regular inspections and tune-ups will prevent electrical failure, as they allow HVAC pros the chance to take a look at your AC or heater’s internal components.
5. Frozen Evaporator Coils
Your evaporator coils are part of your air conditioner that contain heat-absorbing refrigerant that causes condensation. If you don’t have enough refrigerant in the coils, or if the coils aren’t properly maintained, then the water will freeze on the coils, forming ice inside the air conditioner.
Frozen coils can cause problems like:
- Water leaks
- Poor cooling capacity
- Higher energy use
- Compressor damage
Simply thawing the ice won’t fix your frozen air conditioner. An HVAC professional can expertly diagnose the underlying cause of the problem.
6. Clogged Drain Lines and Leaking HVAC Units
The drain pan underneath your air conditioner has a drain line, usually a hose or pipe, that leads outside. When condensation drips down from the HVAC, it should run out the drain line, away from the house. If the drain line is clogged with algae or debris, it’ll eventually cause the drain pan to leak water, which may lead to mold growth or damage to the surrounding areas in your home.
Some other possible causes of water leaks around your HVAC system include:
- Improper installation, hindering condensate drainage
- A faulty condensate pump in your furnace
- A problem with the furnace exhaust pipe
- A cracked heat exchanger
7. Lack of Regular HVAC Maintenance
HVAC maintenance is important for keeping your heating and cooling system in good working order. Ricky Heath maintenance services include a full system inspection, cleaning, minor repairs, calibration, and testing. With proper annual maintenance, you’ll enjoy benefits like:
- Better indoor air quality
- Better home comfort
- Peace of mind knowing your HVAC is running safely
- Improved efficiency and lower energy bills
- Fewer breakdowns and lower repair costs
- An extended HVAC lifespan
- Manufacturer warranty compliance
If the pilot light on your gas furnace is yellow instead of blue, if you hear banging sounds coming from your air conditioner, or if there’s no airflow coming from your vents, call Ricky Heath. Our technicians are skilled in troubleshooting. They’ll pinpoint the cause of the trouble fast and find the most cost-effective, long-term solution.
How To Prevent Common HVAC Problems in Macon
The best way to prevent these and other HVAC problems is to hire a licensed, professional HVAC technician to give your system regular seasonal tune-ups. With proper maintenance at least once per year, your HVAC system will likely last between 15 and 25 years. Air conditioners are more likely to fail faster than heating systems due to the typically hot and humid Georgia climate.
At Ricky Heath, we have a proactive Happy Homes Club maintenance plan, designed to keep your HVAC system in good health while providing you with peace of mind. Benefits of joining include:
- A fall furnace or heat pump system analysis and safety check
- A springtime air conditioner or heat pump system analysis and safety check
- Preferential repair and service pricing, with a waived dispatch fee
- Priority service
- Ricky Heath extended warranties
- Our members-only phone number
- And more
You don’t need to join the Happy Homes Club to schedule an HVAC tune-up. Just give us a call and book your next service at your earliest convenience.
Contact Ricky Heath for All Your HVAC Needs
If your furnace, AC, or heat pump is making strange sounds, isn’t working properly, or needs a tune-up, please call Ricky Heath Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling today. We offer air conditioner and heating installation, repairs, and maintenance services, along with expert inspections and air quality services, to keep your home comfortable, even on the hottest days.
Book with us online or give us a call to request service today. We’re open Monday through Saturday, and we accept all major credit cards, cash, and checks. We also offer financing to make HVAC investments easier on your wallet. Whatever HVAC issue you’re up against, we can help.
