5 Signs You Need a New HVAC System
A reliable HVAC system is essential for keeping your home comfortable year-round and managing energy costs. However, even the best HVAC systems wear out over time, and knowing when to replace them can save you from the hassle of sudden breakdowns or skyrocketing bills. At PRK Services, we often see homeowners needing clarification on whether they need a new HVAC installation or if repairs will do the trick. Here are five clear signs that it might be time to consider a residential HVAC replacement. Rising Energy Bills If your energy bills are unexpectedly rising beyond normal rate increases, your HVAC system could be to blame. As heating and cooling systems age, they lose efficiency and require more energy to maintain the same level of comfort. By comparing recent bills to ones from previous years (in similar seasons), you may spot unexpected spikes. An aging HVAC system needs to work harder to maintain your desired temperature, which directly affects your energy costs. If you’re seeing this pattern, it might be time to think about a new HVAC installation. Frequent Repairs and Breakdowns As HVAC systems age, the need for repairs becomes more frequent. While minor fixes are sometimes all you need, constant breakdowns can be a sign that your system is nearing the end of its lifespan. The cost of continuous repairs can add up quickly, and you might find that, over time, they approach the cost of a new system altogether. If your HVAC system requires repairs more than twice a year, it’s likely worth looking into a residential HVAC replacement for a more reliable, long-term solution. Uneven Temperatures in Your Home One telltale sign of a failing HVAC system is the presence of hot or cold spots throughout your home. Ideally, your HVAC system should evenly distribute warm or cool air across every room. When it doesn’t, your system may be struggling to do its job properly due to age or wear. While it’s worth checking for simple issues like blocked vents or dirty filters, if the uneven temperatures persist, it could be a sign that your HVAC system is ready for an upgrade. Strange Noises or Smells Unusual noises—like banging, rattling, or hissing—or strange odors from your HVAC system are often signs of trouble. These signs could indicate worn-out parts, dust and debris buildup, or even mold issues. Unusual odors, especially burning or musty smells, may indicate serious problems that could pose a safety risk to your household. If you notice any of these, it’s best to call HVAC services to evaluate your system and determine if replacement is the best course of action. Age of the System Finally, one of the simplest indicators that you may need a new HVAC system is age. Most HVAC systems last between 10-15 years with regular maintenance. After that, even the most well-maintained systems lose efficiency and performance. If your system is over a decade old, it may be more cost-effective to replace it rather than continue to pay for repairs and live with reduced performance. Upgrading your HVAC system can also improve energy efficiency, lowering utility bills and providing a more comfortable living space. Considering a New HVAC System? If any of these signs sound familiar, it might be time to consult with a professional. PRK Services offers comprehensive HVAC services, including residential HVAC replacement and HVAC installation, to help you enjoy a more efficient, reliable system. A new system is an investment that can increase your comfort, reduce energy costs, and bring you peace of mind for years to come.
Continue Reading
Is Your Heat Pump Playing Hot and Cold? Discover the Causes of Short Cycling
If you’ve noticed your heat pump turns on and then off quickly, it could be short cycling. Short-cycling heat pumps can lead to higher energy bills, less energy efficiency, and an uncomfortable home. Most importantly, it could reduce the life of your HVAC system since it’s working harder to keep your home comfortable. Discovering the cause of heat pump short cycling is essential to protect your system. Check Your HVAC Air Filter One of the first things you can do as a homeowner is check your HVAC air filter and see if it is clogged. This issue is one of the simplest reasons why heat pumps short cycle, and the good news is that you likely don’t need to call a heat pump repair professional to fix it. Simply change out the air filter and stay on a regular schedule with changing it to ensure your HVAC system operates as smoothly as possible. Thermostat Issues Many homeowners don’t realize that their thermostats might be causing short-cycling problems. The thermostat itself might be damaged or faulty, or it could be installed in an improper location. If it receives direct sunlight at any time throughout the day, it makes it seem warmer in the home than it actually is. This illusion can cause short cycling since the thermostat thinks your home is already at the set temperature. Low Refrigerant Levels Low refrigerant levels are another common cause of short cycling since heat pumps rely on refrigerant to function properly. If you’ve checked your thermostat and air filter and see no issues, it may be time to reach out to professional HVAC services. Refrigerant leaks should not be handled by anyone other than trained professionals. Incorrect Heat Pump Size If you end up contacting HVAC services for heat pump repair, the professional might determine that your heat pump is the incorrect size. Heat pumps that are too large can heat or cool your home too fast, which makes it turn off quickly. Most of the time, replacing your heat pump is the best solution. PRK Services, Inc. can diagnose and fix any short-cycling issues you may be having with your heat pump. Don’t hesitate to contact us, and we will have your HVAC system running smoothly again in no time.
Continue Reading
End-of-Season AC Maintenance: Tips to Avoid Winter Surprises
Now that the temperatures are cooler outside, you may notice your HVAC system isn’t running as often as it was during the heat of the summer. There’s no better time than now to perform end-of-season HVAC preventative maintenance to ensure your system is in the best shape possible for the winter. Here are some valuable tips to consider and why you won’t regret doing them. Inspect Air Ducts Many homeowners neglect inspecting their HVAC air ducts because they are out of sight. Air duct damage can present when your home doesn’t cool properly and can be caused by heavy objects creating pressure on them, mold, debris, and more. When you schedule residential HVAC maintenance services, your air ducts will be inspected thoroughly so your system will run efficiently and prevent future breakdowns. Take Care Of Any Strange Noises Pay attention to your HVAC system and call a professional if you notice any unusual noises it’s making. These sounds may include buzzing, humming, hissing, or anything else out of the norm. Not only could these be causing your HVAC system to run inefficiently, but a major breakdown could be coming soon. Have a residential HVAC maintenance professional take a look to prevent unexpected issues and ensure system efficiency. Look Out For Short Cycling Short cycling occurs when your HVAC system turns off shortly after turning on and before it reaches the desired temperature on the thermostat. This cycle is indicative of a serious problem and can add significant wear and tear to your system. Short cycling could be caused by electrical problems, frozen evaporator coils, low refrigerant, or even a clogged air filter. Don’t delay in reaching out to a residential HVAC maintenance professional if you notice short cycling with your unit. PRK Services, Inc. wants to ensure your HVAC system runs efficiently all winter long. Right now, we are offering a complete fall and winter tune-up of your HVAC system for just $69 for up to 2 systems, a small investment that can give you great peace of mind and prevent larger HVAC maintenance bills months later. HVAC preventative maintenance is the key to a healthy unit, so contact us today to schedule a time for our team to come check yours out and get ahead of any issues.
Continue Reading
5 Factors Why Your AC is Blowing Warm Air
Getting your AC ready for the heat of summer is ideal so you don’t have to live in uncomfortable conditions for any amount of time. Your AC unit blowing warm air is a cause for concern, but a residential HVAC maintenance professional can likely figure out the reason why pretty quickly. Here are five of the most common reasons why your AC is blowing warm air. Dirty Air Filters Or Blocked Air Vents It’s hard to remember to change out air filters routinely, but it’s important to do so. A dirty air filter can cause evaporator coils to freeze since the cool air can’t be spread around as much as it needs to. Air vents could be blocked as well and prevent proper airflow. So if your AC is blowing warm air, replace any dirty air filters and ensure no vents are blocked. If your evaporator coils froze as a result, then try turning off your AC for several hours to allow them to thaw before using again. Faulty Thermostat A faulty thermostat is another thing a residential HVAC maintenance professional will look at. Sometimes it’s as simple as forgetting to switch your thermostat from heat to cool. Other times it simply might not be working as it should. Call for HVAC services to have your thermostat replaced if you’ve changed the batteries and are still experiencing problems. Refrigerant Leak If you hear a hissing sound when your AC is blowing warm air, your first thought might be to call for HVAC emergency repair. Most of the time this is just a refrigerant leak and is the reason why your AC is blowing warm air. When this happens, just turn off the unit and call your residential HVAC maintenance professional to repair the leak and refill the refrigerant. Electrical Problems Electrical issues require the expertise of a licensed residential HVAC maintenance professional. Once you check your breakers and discover there are no issues there, then it’s best to contact a professional since electrical problems can be very hazardous to deal with. Frozen Evaporator Coils Or Dirty Condenser Coils Frozen evaporator coils can be caused by dirty air filters and could potentially damage your AC unit. Dirty condenser coils won’t freeze, but they can make the air coming from your AC unit warmer than it should be. You could clean them yourself by removing debris and cleaning the unit with a water hose. Or if you are uncertain, feel free to reach out to a professional. PRK Services, Inc. is here to ensure your AC is operating properly at all times. Don’t hesitate to contact us if your AC is blowing warm air and we will have the problem diagnosed and fixed in no time!
Continue Reading