Residential HVAC Problems and Issues

What can go wrong? It’s a brand new system or you just installed it “a few years ago.” It’s American made, American installed, and made by people who care about what they do, right?

Yes, all of that is true. But, guess what? It’s a mechanical system full of electrical and mechanical moving parts. It’s doing several hundred things per hour that you don’t even have to think about while your enjoying your comfortable air space. Some of those parts and some of those systems will diminish in performance, over time. It’s the second law of thermodynamics that things are always moving toward chaos and entropy.

So, you are going to need some kind of maintenance, possibly some kind of repair over the lifespan of the HVAC unit you are presently enjoying.

Here is some water with your reality pill.

Just so you know, here are some things that have been reported by consumers regarding things that might go wrong with a residential HVAC system.

  • You might begin to see an increased energy expenditure.

  • The unit outside may not come on for a period of time.

  • The humidifier might just stop working.

  • The heat pump might start icing up during the winter season.

  • The outdoor unit could start making noises.

  • The atmospheric temperature may not reach the temperature set on the thermostat.

  • Temperatures vary from room to room.

  • The thermostat has a red light that flashes or stays on.

  • Areas of your home may not get enough air flow or volume.

  • Water leaks may develop in unseen places.

  • You may begin to hear strange noises.

  • The heat pump may never shut off.

  • The fan motor may run continuously.

  • You may smell things you thought could only be found at the local landfill.

  • The unit may not cool adequately.

  • You may get noisy vents.

HVAC Service Agreements

Service agreements come in many forms and are used in many different service areas. They function as legal instruments insuring service and satisfaction. It is a contract entered into by two parties who both have an interest in the service being provided.

A service agreement is also known as a general service contract, a service level agreement, or a consulting services agreement.

In this case, the service contract is between the general public and the provider of HVAC services and products. The contract often includes checkups or tuneups of the HVAC system. This may take place at the beginning of summer and the beginning of winter.

Other things included in an HVAC service agreement include the covering of parts and service and may include emergency services. The agreement may also include a section giving the customer priority over other customers.

Essentially, a service agreement will include the following sections.

  • A description of the services to be provided and how often they will be provided.

  • An identification of the party providing the services.

  • An explanation of the type and frequency of administration and monitoring of any service.

  • A transparent and precise explanation of fees required.

  • There must be a plan outlined and explained that functions as a contingency plan for all involved parties.

  • It will often include a “choice-of-law” provision. (A “choice-of-law” or “governing law” refers to the fact that all involved parties agree that the particular law of a given state will be used to interpret the agreement or litigation procedures should they arise.)

Should You Have A Service and Maintenance Agreement?

It is generally accepted that a service contract for your HVAC system is a good idea. It is important for the overall life of your system to have someone inspecting it and repairing issues before they become major.

It is also a fact of reality that a well trained and knowledgeable HVAC technician can easily catch a problem that could lead to some sort of total breakdown of the sytem. In addition, data proves that a regular maintenance agreement can increase the overall efficiency of an HVAC system while also reducing the amount of your yearly expenditure on electricity.

So, in short a yearly maintenance agreement is a good idea. It will save you money and give you peace of mind as the seasons of the year change.