5 Causes of a Broken HVAC Unit

While HVAC units in your Magnolia home are extremely reliable, even the best systems break down. Because these systems are very complex, it is always best to have a trained HVAC service technician examine them to find the cause of the problem.

Even though there are many things that could potentially go wrong with a unit, some are more common than others.

Worn Contactor

Within an HVAC unit, there are three contactors. One is for the blower motor, one is for the condenser fan motor, and the other for the compressor.

Since these require an electrical connection to work properly, they can experience problems when arcing and pitting starts to form on them.

When this happens, it becomes difficult for the electrical current to pass through, eventually leading to motors that won’t start.

Gas Valves and Drain Lines

Responsible for metering the gas flow from the gas line to the HVAC unit, the gas valve can at some point become corroded and need to be replaced by a service technician.

Because the gas valve is used only during the heating season, it’s a good idea to make sure this part is in good working order prior to the arrival of winter weather.

Along with these valves, drain lines can also get clogged with either dirt or algae. A rather common problem with units, it can eventually cause the drain pan to fill up. This leads to water leaking out from the pan, and can cause significant water damage over time.

Condenser Coil and Evaporator Coil

Many people don’t realize just how important coils are to an HVAC unit. Yet without these parts, the system cannot begin to work properly. The condenser coil, located outside with the compressor, is constantly exposed to outside elements. As a result, it can get extremely dirty if left alone.

Most people fail to clean these at all, resulting in a system breakdown. In these cases, a service technician will have to use a special chemical cleaner on them to get them and the system working properly once again.

Evaporator coils, which are commonly located either outside with the condenser coils or in an attic, are prone to cracking.

This is a particular problem with ones located outside of their Magnolia home, where weather takes its toll. If this is the cause of a system breakdown, a service technician will need to replace the coil to get the unit up and running once again.

Looking for an HVAC technician in Magnolia, TX? Call Affordable American Air Conditioning & Heating at (281) 704-3696 for quality service you can trust!