The most important system in a Saint Peters rental property is easily the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. In addition to the HVAC system ensuring that your tenants are feeling pleasant year-round, it also impacts the existence of your property. As it is such a crucial system, it’s important to know about the different problems that may occur over and over again – and how you can fix them. To make this trouble-free for diligent investors like you, we’ve constructed 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. Airflow issues are easily created when furniture, home décor, and storage boxes get in the way of registers and vents. By freeing up the area near each vent and register, you can enhance how your HVAC system works.
2. Dirty Filters
An additional problem with HVAC systems is that filters are not being swapped out often enough. HVAC filters aid in maintaining the correct air circulation by preventing debris and dust from getting into 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 remedy is straightforward: verify that the filter is being changed pursuant to the manufacturer’s instructions. Some systems have a need for a fresh filter every three months or so, in contrast, various other systems might need the filters replaced as frequently as once a month.
3. Obstructed Condenser Unit
A common cause for an HVAC system to lose efficiency is because leaves and debris have amassed 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
Much like the condenser, an HVAC system is dependent on condenser coils to operate suitably. Oftentimes when the coils end up dirty, your HVAC system may overheat because it cannot sustain good airflow. Consequently, it’s significantly important to have your condenser coils cleaned on a regular basis, generally 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 not unlikely for ducts to become dirty or leaky caused by rodents, insects, or cracks and holes. Whichever of these hindrances can cause reduced airflow and inferior effectiveness of your HVAC system. To guarantee that your ducting isn’t the origin of any difficulty, don’t drag your feet and instead have it inspected and cleaned every time you deem it necessary.
6. Slow Blower Fan
Across the board, all HVAC systems utilize one or more blower fans to shift the air all through the rental house. Assuming the blower fan is problematic, airflow issues might crop up and that means your HVAC system will be much less effective. Sooner or later, fans can break or become covered in grime. The way to resolve a slow blower fan is to have it inspected and either cleaned or replaced once the complication is spotted.
7. Leaking Refrigerant
If your HVAC system is old or hasn’t been maintained well, you may have a refrigerant leak. A refrigerant leak could lead to airflow problems and also trouble cooling the space. 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. To fix the issue, have a qualified HVAC technician inspect your unit and repair it.
8. Faulty Thermostat
Sometimes, problems with the HVAC unit are actually caused by the thermostat. When a thermostat malfunctions, it can make it more difficult to hold a comfortable temperature. This would force your HVAC unit to work harder than it normally should. So, if you’ve had problems with your HVAC unit and no issues can be found, be sure to have their thermostat inspected as well. It may be that all the system needs are to have the thermostat replaced.
9. Wrong Size Unit
HVAC units, just like rental homes, come in many different sizes. It’s important that the size of your unit matches the size of your space. Units that are the improper size would lead to problems. Get one that is too small and you won’t be heating or cooling your property efficiently. Get one that is too big and you’ll end up with a stuffy interior and high levels of humidity. This is because the unit would cycle on and off too frequently. To remedy this issue, have an HVAC expert take a look at your heating and cooling needs. Then let him make a recommendation on whether or not you need to have your current unit replaced. They could tell you what the right size would be for your Saint Peters 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 get the best out of your HVAC unit, in terms of efficiency and airflow, ask an expert about updating your ductwork. You may see that, sometimes, big improvements come from simple changes.
With regular, professional maintenance, many common issues with HVAC systems could be easily avoided. 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 Saint Peters property managers at Real Property Management Endeavor? 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 636-244-5959 today!
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