The signs your HVAC system is failing rarely arrive all at once — they accumulate quietly, and the homeowners who spot them early save the most money. With the changing weather in the Toronto area, homeowners not only need their HVAC systems working properly for the winter to keep them warm, but also during those hot summer months to keep them cool.
Signs Your HVAC System Is Failing: 10 Red Flags
The classic signs your HVAC system is failing: rising energy bills without rate changes, rooms that heat or cool unevenly, short cycling, new noises or smells, weak airflow, humidity problems, dust everywhere, repairs arriving closer together, refrigerant top-ups on the AC, and equipment past the 15-year mark. One flag is a maintenance item; four or more is a planning conversation.
The last thing that we want is for our system to go out in the dead of winter or the heat of the summer.To make sure that we avoid any potential problems it is important to know how to tell when your HVAC systems is failing so you can address the problem before you are stuck with an uncomfortable temperature in your home and no quick way to fix it.
Signs Your HVAC System is Failing
- Longer run time/Increased energy bills – As your HVAC system grows older it will slowly start to wear down (even with proper maintenance) and will eventually start needing to run longer to accomplish the same tasks it previously did. As the system is running longer your energy bill is going to start skyrocketing. When replacing older HVAC systems make sure to look for a new system with an ENERGY STAR label. Newer models have come a long way on being more energy efficient, which is better for both the environment and your pocketbook.
- Increase in maintenance and repairs – While all HVAC systems require some maintenance to keep running efficiently, there comes a point when you need to notice that amount of repairs is pointing to a new HVAC system. If you are needing to constantly “baby” your system along it is time to start looking for a replacement. While it seems like a cost savings to make repairs along the way, at a certain point you are better off to replace your old system with an updated one. If your HVAC system is 15-20 years old you will want to start looking for a replacement.
- Unusual noises – It doesn’t take long for you to adjust to the normal sounds that your HVAC system makes as it kicks on and off to maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. If your system begins to make noises that are different than normal it is time to call in the experts. If your outdoor AC unit suffers from hard starts (shaking when trying to come on) it’s a good sign that repairs or replacement is needed.
- Carbon monoxide leaks – Carbon monoxide leaks are not something to mess around with. The effects of carbon monoxide poisoning can be deadly and since the gas has no smell it is important to keep a carbon monoxide detector near your HVAC system. If your system has leaks it needs to be inspected and repaired by a trained professional. Leaks are more likely to happen on older HVAC systems.
- Your house is humid – If you have problems with your house seeming too dry in the winter and extremely humid during the spring and summer months you might need to repair or replace your HVAC system. The humidity in your home is controlled by your air conditioner, so if you notice an increase in the humidity in your home you will want to see if your AC unit needs to be replaced. Increased humidity can lead to the growth of mold around your home so this is one issue you will want to stay on top of.
- Dirt and dust in your air – If you have noticed an increase in the airborne dust and dirt in your home it can be an indicator that your HVAC unit is getting old and might need to be replaced or that the unit is too small for the work that it is trying to do.
As your unit grows older it starts to have a harder time keeping up with the work that it was previously doing. When you notice something that seems different from how your HVAC system used to work it is more than worth paying attention to the signs and taking action.
The best way to prolong the life of your HVAC system is to keep it properly maintained with the assistance of a trained professional. The trained technicians at Lloyd HVAC Services can assist you whether you need a new installation, preventative maintenance or prompt repairs on your equipment.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Repair, Maintain or Replace: How to Decide
Use the 50 percent rule: when a repair quote crosses half the cost of replacement on equipment past mid-life, replacement usually wins. Below that line, a thorough tune-up and targeted repair often buys years of reliable service. The wrong answer is the default one — running to failure, which always schedules itself for the worst week of the year.
Review these signs your HVAC system is failing each season change; signs your HVAC system is failing in October are cheaper than the same signs in January.
When comparing replacement equipment, ENERGY STAR Canada ratings are the benchmark worth trusting.
Counted more red flags than you’d like among these signs your HVAC system is failing? Get ahead of it on your schedule, not the equipment’s — Call Lloyd HVAC at (647) 344-4822 — we answer 7 AM to 9 PM, seven days a week.
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