Massachusetts winters are tough on HVAC systems. Learn to identify common heating and cooling problems and simple fixes.
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Massachusetts weather doesn’t mess around. Our climate puts unique demands on HVAC systems with cold winters and humid summers, requiring extra stress management and regular maintenance to prevent breakdowns. Your system works overtime from December through March, then switches gears for summer cooling.
Many Massachusetts homes are older and may have outdated or leaky ductwork. These older systems weren’t designed for today’s efficiency standards. Plus, leaking air ducts are the number one cause of uneven heating in homes, with ducts aging and seals deteriorating over time.
The result? Your HVAC system has to work harder than systems in milder climates. Understanding this helps you spot problems early and take action before minor issues become expensive emergencies.
Walk from your living room to your bedroom and feel like you’ve entered a different climate zone? Hot and cold spots in your Massachusetts home may indicate HVAC airflow problems. This is one of the most frustrating issues homeowners face, and it’s incredibly common in our region.
The usual suspects include blocked air filters, which prevent heated air from flowing through the ducts. When your filter gets clogged with dust and debris, your system can’t distribute air evenly. Blocked ducts and vents cause uneven airflow, whether from an errant holiday box or a season’s worth of dust bunnies and dog hair, making one room feel like a walk-in freezer and the next like a sauna.
Start with the basics: check your air filter. Replace the air filter regularly to ensure proper airflow. Most filters should be changed every 1-3 months, but check yours monthly during heavy-use seasons.
Next, walk through your home and make sure vents aren’t blocked by furniture, curtains, or storage items. Check to ensure vents are free from dirt, dust, or foreign objects that could obstruct airflow, as sometimes a vent can get shut or covered without you noticing.
If you’re still experiencing uneven temperatures after these basic checks, the problem might be in your ductwork. An outdated HVAC design is another common cause of airflow issues in Massachusetts, whether it’s the layout of the system or ductwork sizing. This typically requires professional assessment and repair.
Your HVAC system should run relatively quietly. When you start hearing banging, squealing, rattling, or grinding sounds, your system is trying to tell you something. Strange noises from your heating or cooling system can indicate issues such as loose parts, debris buildup, or worn-out components, and it’s important to address these noises promptly to prevent further damage and potential breakdowns.
Different sounds mean different things. Whining or squealing sounds point to problems with moving parts, while rattling noises often indicate loose components or debris in the system. Squealing may mean the belt and motor need oil, while a rumbling sound could mean the gas burners need to be cleaned or adjusted by an HVAC professional.
Here’s what you can do before calling for help: Listen for strange noises like banging or squealing, which can indicate issues with the motor or blower, and jot down what you hear to help the HVAC technician diagnose the problem quickly.
Turn off your system and visually inspect what you can safely access. Look for obvious debris around the outdoor unit or loose panels on your indoor unit. Remove any snow, ice, or debris if your HVAC system includes an outdoor unit, as this allows the unit to operate efficiently and can help prevent damage.
However, don’t attempt to disassemble anything or investigate electrical components. These noises can disrupt home comfort and, if left unaddressed, may lead to more significant system damage, so it’s crucial to diagnose and resolve these noises promptly to ensure efficient and quiet operation.
If the noises persist or seem to be getting worse, it’s time to call a professional. What might seem like a minor annoyance could indicate a part that’s about to fail completely.
Nothing sends panic through a Massachusetts homeowner faster than an HVAC system that won’t turn on during extreme weather. There’s no good time for your HVAC system to fail, and winter months are particularly bad to be left without heating, so you’d probably rather attempt troubleshooting yourself instead of waiting for a repair professional.
The good news? A surprisingly large number of HVAC problems can have simple solutions, and if your system isn’t turning on, the first step is to rule out simple problems like lack of power. Before you assume the worst, there are several basic checks that can save you time, money, and a service call.
Start with the most obvious culprit: power issues. Check your breaker and make sure it hasn’t flipped or blown a fuse, then try flipping the breaker and waiting a few seconds before turning it back on. Check if there’s a power outage in your area you aren’t aware of, as if your home has a backup generator, the power may have cycled between the grid and your generator, which can affect overall HVAC system function.
Next, check your thermostat. The first thing to do is check the batteries in the thermostat, as replacing the batteries will cost much less than a service call. Ensure the thermostat is set to the correct mode (heating or cooling) and the desired temperature.
Look at your thermostat settings carefully. Is it set to “heat” when you want heating? Is the temperature setting actually higher than the current room temperature? These seem obvious, but they’re surprisingly common oversights, especially when family members adjust settings.
Many furnaces have a switch that prevents them from operating when the service door is open, so if the furnace isn’t producing heat, open the service door and shut it again, checking to make sure everything is shut tightly before trying to turn the heater on again.
If these basic steps don’t solve the problem, try a system reset. Every furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump has a different reset method, so check your owner’s manual to learn how to reset the system, and if you don’t have the manual, you can find them online by searching the model number.
Clogged filters often plague HVAC systems, leading to various problems, as when dirt, dust, and debris build up on filters, airflow becomes restricted, making the system work harder and expend more energy to move air, resulting in higher utility bills and decreased comfort levels.
Your air filter does more than just clean the air. It protects your entire system from damage. A clogged filter can cause the air conditioning unit to freeze up, damaging both the indoor evaporator coil and the compressor. A dirty air filter can cause your heating system to work harder than necessary, leading to higher heating costs, and if unchanged for an extended period, it can shorten the life of your heating system.
Here’s how to check and maintain your filter properly: locate your filter (usually near the air handler or in a return air vent), remove it carefully, and hold it up to the light. If you can’t see through it clearly, it needs to be changed. Change out or clean each filter affiliated with your system according to instructions, and swap them out every two or three months.
Change your system’s air filter once every three months, as this simple maintenance task ensures balanced airflow so your AC doesn’t overwork itself. When you change out a dirty filter for a clean one, your HVAC equipment uses up to 15 percent less energy monthly, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Don’t just grab any filter from the hardware store. When changing the air filter, make sure you’re purchasing the right size and type as specified by your manufacturer. The wrong filter can actually cause more problems than a dirty one.
If your system shuts down frequently or seems to be overheating, a severely clogged filter is often the culprit. Replace it immediately and see if normal operation resumes. If the problem continues, you’ll need professional diagnosis to check for damage caused by the restricted airflow.
Diagnosing HVAC system problems can sometimes be simple, but often it’s better to leave it up to professionals, and if the cause of a problem is unclear or the fix is complicated, it’s time to call in the experts, as many problems require extensive training to fix and attempting DIY repairs could lead to damage and voided warranties.
The troubleshooting steps we’ve covered can solve many common issues and save you money on unnecessary service calls. However, Massachusetts weather is tough on HVAC systems, and some problems require professional expertise. Technicians who understand the unique demands that Massachusetts weather puts on HVAC systems know which equipment performs best in our climate and how to maintain systems for maximum efficiency and longevity.
When you do need professional help, choose a company that understands Massachusetts homes and climate challenges. We at Dempsey Energy have been serving Massachusetts families for over 30 years, with the experience to diagnose problems quickly and fix them right the first time.
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