HVAC Repair
Our HVAC Repair Services
Save On Heating And Cooling! Earn Cash for Improving Your Heating and Cooling. If your AC unit isn’t turning on, makes loud noises, or isn’t delivering the cool air you need, contact us for a fast troubleshooting appointment and a free estimate.
How to Know If You Might Need AC Repairs
When you come home to stagnant air or an HVAC unit that won’t power on, you know it’s time to call in an HVAC service. But if you can catch problems before they become an emergency, you can have less interrupted air conditioning and save money. Some common signs of developing HVAC problems are:
- Frequently cycling HVAC
- Hearing hissing, which can indicate a refrigerant leak
- Loud noises, including grinding, crunching, and whining
- Air that isn't as cool as it used to be
- Increases in your electricity bill, which may mean your unit needs more electricity to provide the same performance
The 6 Most Common HVAC Repairs in San Jose
Condenser Unit Repair
If your home's outdoor unit is loud, inconsistent, or continuously powering down, our team of repair experts can take a look. The condenser unit is a crucial component of your air conditioning system, responsible for releasing the heat absorbed from inside your home. When it’s not functioning properly, it can significantly affect the overall performance of your AC system. Common signs of an issue with your condenser are warm air, the blades not rotating, unusual sounds and frequent powering down.
Low Refrigerant
Refrigerant is what your air conditioner uses to remove heat and humidity from your space, whether it's your office or your home. Most times when the refrigerant is low on a consistent basis, it’s not just that you are running low on refrigerant, but you might also have a leak somewhere in your refrigerant lines. This can be a difficult issue to solve because a skilled technician will have to go through the lines and find the leak. This can be time-consuming, which in turn becomes costly. To avoid such issues, make sure you are having technicians check it out during your bi-annual maintenance.
Leaking Ducts
Ductwork is often an overlooked issue that can lead to air conditioner repairs. Your ducts run from your air conditioner, through your home, and deliver cold or hot air into each room. If there are holes or escaping air, it’s going to cause two main problems: poor airflow, and increased energy bills. Since air is escaping behind your walls, and not into the rooms it is supposed to, your air conditioner is working overtime trying to maintain temperature. This will shorten the lifespan of your air conditioner, and make you believe it needs repair when really it’s a ducting issue.
Thermostat Issues
Thermostats are how we communicate with our air conditioners, and if they are improperly calibrated, malfunctioning, or flat-out broken, your air conditioner won’t receive the correct instruction from you. This is a common and easy fix, either upgrade and replace your thermostat, especially if you have an old dial, upgrade it to a new digital one, or get your current one recalibrated so you can keep using it.
Fan Issues
There's a fan that blows hot air out of your home or office and another that blows cold air over your unit's evaporator coil, cooling the air inside. These fans can break or malfunction for various reasons, such as lack of lubrication, worn-out belts, dirt or debris, or a faulty motor. Sometimes, your condenser fan might not spin because the blades get coated in sludge, adding so much weight that they can't turn. This could be due to a lack of maintenance. Additionally, a fallen tree branch could block the blades' path.
On the other hand, your condenser fan motor might be broken. The motor powers the condenser fan’s blades, so if it has a problem, the fan won’t blow hot air out of the condenser, and you won't hear it spinning. Causes of a broken fan motor include physical damage, capacitor or contactor issues, and for older systems, a loose or broken belt. Like the fan blades, a tree branch falling into the condenser can also damage the motor. Ignoring these issues can lead to compressor failure, which likely means it's the end of the road for your air conditioner.
Clogged Drains
The moisture in your system goes through a drain line, into a pan, and then down a drain. If the pan gets full or the line gets clogged, water can back up into your system and cause severe damage. This can in turn cause moisture build-up on your walls, studs, and insulation which can cause mold growth, an entirely different and severe issue in itself.
How to Prevent AC Problems and Repairs
1. Replace Air Filter
Make sure to replace your air filter on a regular basis; this is an easy approach to extend the life of your HVAC system.
2. Clean Outdoor Unit
Once a month, inspect your condenser to ensure that there are no blockages interfering with ventilation. Remove debris, brush, and anything else that may be obstructing your unit.
3. Replace the Thermostat
Replace your old control system with a new, completely programmable one. Newer thermostats are more precise and can help save energy. They also interact with your phone, making temperature control much easier.
4. Inspect Ducts and Repair Holes
Have a qualified expert inspect your ducts and refrigerant lines to ensure you are not leaking air and increasing your electric cost for no reason.
5. Don’t Skip Regular Maintenance
Your air conditioner needs to last a quarter century, and you’re more likely to buy two new cars than replace your HVAC system. That being said, your air conditioner, like a car, needs maintenance not only when it has to be repaired, but also before it goes down. To keep your HVAC system in good working order, we recommend receiving service twice a year: once in the summer and once in the winter. If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, The Gurus offers maintenance plans to keep you covered.