With winter well and truly upon us, this is the time of year when home and Perth commercial air conditioning systems experience issues.
Imagine that it’s mid-winter and it’s freezing outside, then suddenly the temperature inside your house drops. The heat doesn’t come through the vents. You tried the thermostat, the breakers, and the pilot light but nothing worked.
A system failure in winter is not something anyone wants to experience, but it can happen. So, it’s important to be prepared.
Common Reasons A Perth Ducted Air Conditioning System Breaks Down in Winter
Frozen Coils and Pipes
It can be very frustrating if the heat is not evenly distributed throughout the house or in your Perth commercial air conditioning service area. This is usually a sign that your heating system isn’t working properly.
The main cause of this problem is frozen pipes and coils, which can block water flow and disrupt steam radiators and heaters. Clogging can occur when pipes are subject to reduced temperature. This could lead to burst pipes from increased pressure. You may have to replace your entire ducted system if this happens. This can be very costly, especially in the winter when your home is cold, and you desperately need heat.
You can also have uneven temperatures due to other issues, such as a blocked fan motor, dirty filters, and a blocked vent. If you notice areas in your house that are cooler than others, it is time to call IACS and have the problem diagnosed or to start exploring new heating options.
Wear and Tear
If your Perth duct air conditioning system is more than 10 years old, it’s more likely that you will experience breakdowns in winter. Your heaters, like any appliance in your home, will also wear out, especially during winter, when they work overtime to keep you warm.
Experts recommend replacing your heating system after 15 years to extend its life expectancy.
You should consider purchasing a new heating system that uses new technology such as reverse cycle heating. This heating system is more efficient, costs less, heats multiple rooms simultaneously, and is highly energy efficient. Before you decide to buy a heating system, be sure to compare your options.
Malfunctioning Blower Fan
When you turn on your heater, it’s common for cold air to escape from the vents. If this continues for a long time, it could indicate that your blower fan needs repair. It could also indicate that your fuel source, which heats the air in your system, is having problems. You should call a technician if the system continues to blow cold air even after changing the temperature settings.
Overworked Heaters
Even if your heating system has been around for a while, there is still the possibility that it will fail during winter. This is especially true if it’s not properly maintained or overworked. Strange noises or smells coming from the vents could indicate problems. This can eventually lead to low temperatures and high energy bills.
Poor Maintenance
Many homeowners and those with commercial air conditioning systems, forget to maintain their heating system. You may notice a decrease in efficiency of your heating system. You may notice a build-up of dust, frozen pipes, or coils, as well as other problems that can be caused by poor maintenance.
Experts recommend that your heating system be tested and cleaned at least once a year. This will ensure that it runs smoothly and prevent costly repairs down the line. To ensure your heating system lasts longer, it is important to keep it clean and maintained if you are replacing it with a new one.
What Can I Do If My Heater Breaks?
These are the steps you need to take to control your heater if it breaks during winter. Knowing what to do if your heater stops working can help you find an immediate solution that will keep you and your family safe.
Determine the Cause
To pinpoint the source of the problem, you can try the following:
- Check that your heater is on:Your heating system may be on, but it might not be set to heat. Sometimes it can be easy for a heater to appear faulty, even though it is producing cool air.
- Check for a blown fuse:Locate the fuse box to check if there is a fuse in your heater. If the fuse looks discoloured, cloudy or has damage to metal inside, it is most likely blown.
- Look for gas leaks in your HVAC:A sulphur- or rotten egg-smelling furnace is a sign of a gas leak. To detect a gas leak, mercaptan is added to the odorless natural gas. For your safety, turn off the heater and shut off all gas lines. Also, extinguish open flames.
- Search for blockages:Check the filter of your heater for any debris. Filter blockage can prevent heat from moving through your home’s ducts and vents.
- Check your circuit breaker:A power surge or outage could have caused the main circuit breaker of your home to trip, and your thermostat may shut down.
- Check the pilot light:Gas travels from the heater to the main burner, where it ignites the pilot light to create heat. Your heating system will cease producing heat if the pilot light goes out.
- Check the blower motor: The blower motor in your heater moves the fan and sends warm air throughout the home.The fans will stop turning and emitting heat if the motor is damaged by corrosion, condensation, or a tripped fuse.
- Check the fan:The fan could be the problem. If a fan is damaged, loose, or clogged with debris, it will stop pushing air through the vents and ducts.
- Check for a worn belt:Some HVAC units use belt-driven motors to deliver rotational energy to the fan. This belt may become slack from age, dirt, or damage, and eventually snap or crack. A worn belt will often smell like burning rubber.
- Inspect the heat exchanger for cracks: Heat exchangers use oils and gases to heat your furnace.This device can develop stress cracks over time as the metal parts expand and contract. These stresses can cause dangerous combustion gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide leakage into your home. These gases should be removed immediately if you detect them.
Call a Technician or Make Repairs
Once you’ve determined the problem, it’s time for the repairs. If you feel confident that you can resolve the problem yourself, such as changing the air filter or flipping the breaker switch, then you can get to work.
You should contact an HVAC specialist if you’re unable to diagnose or fix the problem. These experts have the skills, knowledge, and tools to repair your heating system quickly and efficiently. Contact us and we are happy to suggest reputable Perth ducted air conditioner service technicians.
Keep Warm
Although most technicians offer fast emergency Perth air conditioning services, you still may experience a wait. In the meantime, ensure you are your loved ones remain warm.
Unable to Fix Your Broken Heater?
If you are unable to fix your heater, or if it continues to fail on you, we suggest you upgrade your system. We offer local heating systems in Western Australia, to ensure customers keep warm during the coldest months.
Contact us to learn more about our reliable and effective products, that will ensure you stay warm for many, many winters to co