One important system in a Huntersville rental property is the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. The HVAC system isn’t just tasked with keeping your tenants comfy all year round, but it also adds to the long life of your property. Since it is such a valuable system, it’s of the essence to know about the many issues that you may face – and how to effectively troubleshoot them. In order to make this simpler for hard-working investors like you, we’ve put together a list of the top 10 HVAC issues and their solutions.
1. Blocked Registers and Vents
If your tenants are grumbling about the rental home having inefficient heating or cooling, the initial move that you ought to do is to verify whether the registers and vents are blocked. Furniture, home décor, and storage boxes can all impede the movement of air to registers and vents, thus creating airflow issues. By unblocking the area adjacent to each vent and register, you can ameliorate how your HVAC system performs.
2. Dirty Filters
One other frequent concern with HVAC systems is that filters are not being replaced often on a regular basis. HVAC filters help keep the right air circulation flowing by ensuring that debris and dust stay out of your ducts and equipment. If the filter ends up getting clogged by dust, it is not just the HVAC system that must work harder to heat or cool the home, but it’s even possible that internal parts may become marred as well. The solution here is a simple one: always confirm that the filter is being changed as stated in the manufacturer’s instructions. Numerous systems need a brand new filter every three months or so, however, a number of systems ought to have the filters changed as often as once a month.
3. Obstructed Condenser Unit
One typical explanation you can expect when an HVAC system starts to lose efficiency is due to leaves and debris that have accumulated around the unit, obstructing the condenser. An obstructed condenser unit can force your HVAC unit to overheat and sooner or later it will become damaged. To correct this concern, clean up the expanse around your HVAC unit, including any leaves or debris that may be touching the exterior.
4. Dirty Coils
An HVAC system, similar to the condenser, is reliant on condenser coils to work as it should. Oftentimes when the coils end up dirty, your HVAC system may overheat because it cannot sustain good airflow. Accordingly, it’s key to remember to have your condenser coils cleaned habitually, more or less once or twice a year.
5. Dirty or Leaky Ducts
If your HVAC filters are not replaced on a regular basis, dust can collect in the ductwork, reducing the room for air to properly flow. In older houses, it’s probable that the ducts will have become dirty or leaky owing to rodents, insects, or cracks and holes. Any of one these troubles will bring about reduced airflow and weak efficacy of your HVAC system. To make sure that your ducting isn’t the basis of the problem, do not delay in having it inspected and cleaned often.
6. Slow Blower Fan
You can guarantee that all HVAC systems make use of one or more blower fans to redistribute air all the way through the rental house. On the assumption that there is a problem with the blower fan, you can guarantee that it will create airflow issues and make your HVAC system less efficient. As time goes on, fans can deteriorate or become overlaid with grime. The answer to a slow blower fan is to ensure to have it inspected and either cleaned or replaced the minute the dilemma is recognized.
7. Leaking Refrigerant
If you have an older HVAC system (or one that hasn’t been very well maintained), you may have a refrigerant leak. A leaking refrigerant could be why there are issues with the system’s cooling and airflow. You don’t notice this right away as this issue usually develops gradually. As more of the refrigerant leaks out, the issues slowly get worse. This issue is best solved by having your unit inspected thoroughly and repaired by a qualified HVAC technician.
8. Faulty Thermostat
Sometimes, problems with the HVAC unit are actually caused by the thermostat. When a thermostat malfunctions, it would affect the heating and cooling of the house. This can make your HVAC unit work harder than it should just to maintain a comfortable temperature. So, if your HVAC unit has been acting up but no issues can be found, make sure to have your thermostat inspected as well. It’s possible that all the system needs are a new thermostat. That would be a lot better than having to replace everything.
9. Wrong Size Unit
HVAC units come in a variety of sizes– much like the rental homes, they’re installed in. It’s vital that your unit is right for your space. Units that are the wrong size would lead to some issues. Units that are too small wouldn’t heal or cool your property efficiently. And if your unit is too big, it would cycle on and off too frequently. This would leave you with stuffy interiors and high levels of humidity. To fix this issue, have your space assessed by an HVAC expert. Let them compute the optimal size of the unit needed for your heating and cooling needs. From there, you would be able to decide whether or not you need to replace your current unit and get one that is the right size for your Huntersville rental property.
10. Outdated HVAC System
Lastly, an issue that one will come across, eventually, is the unit or the ductwork of their HVAC system becoming old or outdated. This is more common in older homes that went through a renovation, specifically those homes that didn’t have their HVAC systems updated along with everything else. To make sure your HVAC unit is giving its best, in terms of airflow and efficiency, ask an expert about updating your ductwork. You may see that, sometimes, big improvements come from simple changes.
There are a lot of common problems with HVAC systems that can be prevented by simply having regular, professional maintenance done each year. But finding the time to schedule an HVAC maintenance can be difficult, especially since there are a lot of other things that you, as a rental property owner, need to deal with all the time. Instead, why not entrust the care and maintenance of your rental properties to the Huntersville property managers at Real Property Management Experts? We help rental property owners like you keep your HVAC systems in good condition, saving you money by extending your unit’s useful life and keeping your tenants comfortable in the home year-round. To learn more, contact us online or call us at 704-220-0110 today!
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