With winter right around the corner, having an HVAC system that’s running at peak performance levels is key. That’s why hiring HVAC contractors to perform a seasonal inspection is always recommended. As one of today’s leading HVAC repair teams in the Salem and Keizer, Oregon area, the team from Melton’s Heating & Air Conditioning wants to help you identify when your heating and cooling system requires maintenance.
Here, we’ve collected five of the most common noises that will call for professional maintenance and repairs.
1. Popping
If you hear popping sounds coming from your HVAC system when you turn it on or off, it’s merely due to your ductwork, not a problem with your system. If the sound is becoming a distraction, installing rubber or foam insulation in your ducts will minimize it.
2. Thumping, Clanking, or Banging
Often, these types of noises are an indication that all is not well with your HVAC. These noises are every day when there’s a problem with its blower assembly, so turn off your HVAC before the problem grows out of control and contact an HVAC contractor ASAP!
3. Frequent Clicking
A recurring clicking noise coming from your outside compressor or control panel often signifies there’s a problem. It usually indicates a disruption in your system’s relay, so monitor it and if it doesn’t go away, contact a professional.
4. Hissing
A loud hissing noise likely means there’s a leak somewhere inside your HVAC system or in your home’s air ducts. Leaking ducts can cause spikes in energy costs, clogged air filters, and reduced HVAC efficiency. Fixing such an issue can call for specialized expertise, so it’s always best to contact an HVAC contractor for assistance.
5. Rumbling
An issue most often causes this type of noise with your system’s burner. Over time, soot and dirt can build up on your HVAC’s burners, restricting airflow and causing a rumbling sound. You can clean the burners yourself by turning off the power to your system and vacuuming or dusting them, or contact a professional to do the job.
Contact us today for more about HVAC maintenance and repair services.
When your heat pump stops working in the middle of winter, you need a solution fast. Thankfully, the heat pump repair team at Melton’s Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc has created the following guide for troubleshooting common heat pump problems so you can get your heating system back up and running for the coldest season of the year.
4 Ways To Fix Your Heat Pump
1. Reset The Circuit Breaker
Before calling a heat pump repair mechanic, check to see if your home or office’s circuit breaker has been tripped. The blower motor could’ve caused a power surge, resulting in a tripped circuit breaker and the deactivation of your heating system. Reset the switch to see if this restores power.
2. Check the Thermostat
Next, go to your heating and cooling system’s thermostat to ensure that it hasn’t been tampered with. If you’re not sure where to start, review the thermostat’s documentation and make sure it’s set according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. When in doubt, contact a professional heat pump repair service.
3. Inspect the Outdoor Unit
After checking your circuit breaker and thermostat, you’ll want to inspect the outdoor components of your heat pump. During the summer and fall, it’s not uncommon for leaves or grass to block airflow on your unit’s intake vent. During winter months, snow or ice can accumulate on the system, and actually prevent the heat pump from working altogether. By removing yard debris, snow, and ice, you will allow your heat pump to absorb air and convert it into heat in the interior component of your heating system.
4. Check the Indoor Components
The last step to DIY heat pump repair to take before calling a professional is to inspect the parts of the system on the interior of your home or office. Start with the air filter. Even if there’s only a thin layer of dirt and grime, this can prevent your pump from properly functioning, so you should change it. Then, spend some time inspecting your ducts and the inside part of the heat pump for leaks of air or refrigerant, respectively. For air leaks, you will need to secure your ductwork, or consider installing a ductless heat pump system; for refrigerant leaks, you’ll need to figure out where the leak is occurring, patch it, and then refill the refrigerant.
Get Affordable Heat Pump Repair
Contact our heat pump repair team at Melton’s Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. in Salem and Keizer, Oregon today to learn more about heating system maintenance.
Figuring out how to unfreeze your AC unit is crucial if you value staying cool during the summer. Before you call an air conditioning repair company, be sure to look over this short list of quick fixes for frozen cooling systems from the HVAC technicians at Melton’s Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.
3 Ways To Fix Your Frozen Air Conditioning Unit
1. Defrost the Unit
The first step to thawing out your AC unit is switching off the thermostat and turning on the fan, allowing the ice to melt from your cooling system slowly. Depending on the amount of ice formed, this could take anywhere from one to twenty-four hours. As you allow the system to thaw out, you may want to take preventative measures in the interior and exterior of your building near the AC unit to prevent water damage.
2. Replace the Filter
While you’re defrosting the unit, you should inspect the filter. Over time, dust, hair, pollen, and other tiny particles will find their way into your air conditioning system, thus preventing airflow and potentially causing your unit to freeze. If you want to improve indoor air quality and avoid air conditioning repair in the future, replace your filter and take note of the date in your calendar. It would be best if you got into the habit of changing it out every one to three months, depending on whether you have pets, allergies, or smokers in your living or office space.
3. Check the Condensate Pan & Drain
Air conditioning units rely on pans and drains to divert condensation from systems and thus out of your home. As you’re thawing out the unit and inspecting your filter, it is a good idea to check the condensate pan and drain as well. You can start by looking under the AC unit for water. If you see any, then there’s a chance that the pan is clogged. Next, inspect the drain for water overflow, which is usually located on the exterior of your building near the AC unit, in the form of a PVC pipe. It would help if you unclogged both the pan and drain to allow your unit to thaw out and also avoid the need for more severe air conditioning repair.
Get Reliable Air Conditioning Repair
Contact the air conditioning repair team at Melton’s Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. in Salem, Oregon today to find out more about our heating and cooling solutions.