Common Heating And AC Repair Problems That Plague Older HVAC Units | Dallas, TX

Photo By David Spates at Shutterstock

If your HVAC system is over 20 years old, there’s a good chance that it’s too old and needs to be replaced soon. You can hold onto the HVAC system, but the truth of the matter is that by refusing to replace the system with a new one, you’re likely costing yourself a lot more money than necessary.

Old HVAC systems come with a lot of problems that aren’t always going to be worth your time fixing. This article will look at some of the most common problems that plague other HVAC systems. You’ll notice that these systems will require a more regular heating and AC repair. If at any point in time, the HVAC repair will cost more than 50% the price of getting a replacement, you should think about retiring the HVAC system and getting a newer one.

#1. Electrical Failure

One of the most common problems that plague older HVAC units is electrical failures. As your HVAC system ages, the chances of it shorting out will go up significantly. Some of the more common electrical issues that you may face include frequently tripped circuit breakers and failing capacitors. Faulty wiring can also lead to electrical failure. It’s not impossible for AC units, in particular, to be on fire.

One of the most important reasons why you should get your Dallas, TX HVAC system inspected every year is to make sure that there are no electrical problems. An electrical fire can be very dangerous. In fact, home electrical fires account for approximately 51,000 fires in the U.S. every year! These fires are also responsible for almost 500 deaths, 1,400 injuries and $1.3 billion in property damage.

#2. Poor Air Quality

Most homeowners will usually notice that the air quality inside older homes tend to be worse off than the air quality within newer homes. Older homes often have my musty smell to them. These smells can often be attributed to the HVAC system, which is why homeowners should stay on top of heating and AC repairs. Once some of these odors get into the carpet and the walls, they’ll be almost impossible to get out. It doesn’t matter how much Febreeze you spray inside the room. It’ll still smell a little funky.

These funky smells may be a turn off to some homeowners. They may feel embarrassed to invite the company over. More importantly, these odors can really scare off potential buyers when the home is placed on the market.

These musty smells often come from mold and mildew within the HVAC system. It’s easy for fungi and bacteria to grow within the ducts, as these areas are often quite humid and protected. The bacteria and fungi can cause extreme health conditions and are most likely to affect those with pre-existing respiratory illnesses. This is why it’s important to get the ducts cleaned every couple of years. Most homeowners will also get the ducts cleaned whenever they need heating and AC repair services in Dallas, TX.

#3. Leaking Ducts

Another common heating and AC repair service that many homeowners need is duct repair. As your HVAC system gets older and older, it will become more and more vulnerable to issues with the ductwork. For example, the seal around the ducts may begin to crack and break. This causes air to escape outwards, and can make your HVAC system less energy efficient. Another common cause for this could be a clogged or closed vent. When one of those things happens, there will be a buildup of air pressure within the ducts.

Another reason why ducts leak is because there is vermin inside the ducts. Rodents, insects or birds can build a home within the ducts with time. They’ll chew holes through them.

If you don’t get immediate heating and AC repair services for a leaking duct, you’ll regret it. A leaking duct can lead to a whole host of other issues, like dirty air filters and buildup of debris. Both of these things can cause further damage to the HVAC unit and require you to get even more expensive heating and AC repair services.

#4. Refrigerant Leaks

This only applies to AC units but older HVAC systems are more prone to refrigerant leaks. Usually you notice that you have a refrigerant leak if your AC unit is low on refrigerant and adding more doesn’t even begin to solve the problem. Common signs of a refrigerant leak can include bubbling or hissing sounds coming from the AC unit, poor cooling, humid indoor air, higher energy bills and ice on the evaporator coils.

If you’re constantly dealing with refrigerant leaks, you might want to forego heating and AC repair services altogether and to get a replacement. A replacement can cause significantly less than the heating and AC repair services.

Whether you should opt for repair services or a replacement will also depend on what is leaking. If you’re dealing with a Freon leak, you should usually opt for the heating and AC repair service rather than for the replacement. The Freon leak is in the refrigerant line and is often an easy fix. The cost of the repair service will also be relatively minor.

On the other hand, if you are dealing with an issue with the air compressor, you might want to go get a replacement instead. If you dish out money for the heating and AC repair, you’ll often find that the cost of repairs in Dallas, TX will be close to getting a replacement. The repairs are also tricky to fix and can be a complete headache to deal with.

#5. Overall Inefficiencies

One of the main reasons why many HVAC companies will recommend homeowners to get a replacement if they notice that their HVAC unit is too old is because all the units tend to be rather inefficient. This means that you’re using a lot more energy than needed to heat and cool your home, which also means that you’re spending a lot more on your energy bills than necessary.

The inefficiency can also affect your overall quality of living. For example, you may notice that your home is not heating up quickly enough during the winter. There may be periods of time where you and your family need to sit around in the cold before even feeling any warmth.

If your unit is very old, it may also be bad for the environment. By switching to a new unit, you’ll be doing yourself a favor. Although the new unit may be quite costly to install, you’ll save money on energy bills. In a way, the savings may actually add up to the point where they pay for the new unit.

Dirty Units Are Inefficient

Most experts recommend getting your HVAC system cleaned at least once a year or two. The reason for this is because dirty units are extremely inefficient. If you have dirty filters, air cannot easily circulate within your home. This means that you’ll need more energy to get your desired results.

If your HVAC system is very old and has never received a cleaning, you can already imagine the amount of dirt, dust, airborne particles and contaminants that are inside. Cleaning the unit may not be enough to fix the problem. The unit may be so dirty that some of the parts are malfunctioning or are damaged.

#6. Water Leakages

Other HVAC units tend to be rather leaky. If your unit is constantly leaking water in different areas, it may be time to get a replacement as well. Water leakages require more than just heating and AC repair services to fix. If the water seeps into the foundation of your home or any structural components, you also need to call a contractor to come and take a look. If the foundation of your home has sustained water damage, you’re looking at a bill that can be tens of thousands of dollars.

Water leaks can also lead to potential mold growth. This is especially problematic if the mold is growing in between the walls in other inconspicuous areas that you can’t easily see. The mold can also damage your home and be incredibly difficult to get rid of. On top of all of this, you and your family members will eventually inhale most of these pores, which can lead to health problems.

#7. Build Up of Ice on the Evaporator Coils

This is also another problem that affects the AC system and not the heating system. Older HVAC units will usually see more buildup of ice on the evaporator coils. This can impede air from being circulated within your home or within the HVAC unit. The presence of ice can also be a sign that there’s a broken fan or a failing condenser. These both require very costly heating and AC repair services in Dallas, TX.

#8. General Wear and Tear

Last but not least, you’ll generally find that older units will have more general wear and tear. You’re going to need to spend a lot more on heating and AC repair services. The main problem is that some of these repair services can easily add up if your unit is failing frequently. You might not be spending a lot of money on a single heating and AC repair service, but if you’re spending a couple hundred dollars every other month, that adds up really quickly!

To prevent other units from succumbing to general wear and tear, make sure that you get regular maintenance services. This includes a cleaning, an inspection and more. Regular maintenance will keep your HVAC system in great shape, so that you can get more life out of it. The cost of the maintenance services is significantly lower than repair services or the installation of a replacement.

Benefits of Opting Out of a Heating and AC Repair and Getting a Replacement Instead

If your HVAC system has been running into problems and problems, you’re going to get a lot more benefits out of a replacement. When you replace your existing system, you’ll find that many of the newer models and brands have additional features and functionalities that will help you save money. Many of these newer HVAC systems have upgraded parts that are more energy efficient. You can end up saving a lot of money on energy bills.

You’ll also notice that a new system will not require any heating and AC repair services at all in the first few years, so you’ll be saving a bit of money there. The system will also run extremely smoothly and can greatly increase your overall quality of living. Your heating unit will turn your home office into a toasty haven during the winter and your bedroom into a cool getaway during the summer with ease. You’ll enjoy staying at home a lot more!

Give One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas a Call

Is your HVAC system rather old? Have you already experienced many problems with it? Or, are the heating and AC repair services that you need as expensive as getting a replacement?

If so, give One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas a call. We can come take a look at your HVAC system to see whether it should be retired. We can help you come up with a quote for both a heating and AC repair service and a replacement. To ensure that you know exactly what you’re getting into, we’ll also walk you through the pros and cons of each option. If the heating and AC repair will be the cheaper option, we will definitely recommend that. You can even help you look into financing services that may help cover some of the costs temporarily.

One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas is one of the most reputable HVAC companies in the area. We have provided residents in Dallas, TX with HVAC services for years and have built up quite a good reputation. Check out our online reviews or ask us for references. You’ll find out that you’re in incredibly good hands!