One key system in a Hallandale Beach rental property is known as the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. Not only does the HVAC system have to make sure that your tenants feel cozy during the course of the year, but it also plays a part in the long life of your property. Seeing as how it is such a key system, it’s essential to know about the usual issues that may crop up – and how to resolve them. To help make this effortless for industrious investors like you, we’ve built a list of the top 10 HVAC issues and their solutions.
1. Blocked Registers and Vents
If your tenants are whining about inefficient heating or cooling in the rental home, the primary step as a rental owner is to ensure whether or not the registers and vents are blocked. Furniture, home décor, and storage boxes can all block registers and vents, creating airflow issues. By clearing out the nearby area around each vent and register, you can increase how your HVAC system runs.
2. Dirty Filters
An additional problematic matter with HVAC systems is that filters are not being swapped out frequently. HVAC filters help ensure the suitable flow of air circulation by guaranteeing that debris and dust stay out of your ducts and equipment. If the filter becomes clogged by dust, the HVAC system will not only have to work harder to heat or cool the home but internal parts could eventually be harmed too. The remedy is quite the effortless solution: take care to ensure that the filter is being changed in keeping with the manufacturer’s instructions. Whereas most systems need another filter every three months or so, several systems could do with having the filters changed as often as once a month.
3. Obstructed Condenser Unit
Whenever leaves and debris have collected around the unit and are obstructing the condenser, an HVAC system can start to lose efficiency. An obstructed condenser unit can lead to your HVAC unit overheating and in the end becoming damaged. You can fix the issue by clearing the area around your HVAC unit. That includes any leaves or debris that may be stuck to the exterior.
4. Dirty Coils
Not unlike the condenser, an HVAC system is reliant on condenser coils to perform well. Whenever the coils get dirty, the HVAC system isn’t able to maintain good airflow causing your unit to overheat. To that end, it is of the essence to regularly clean your condenser coils once or twice a year.
5. Dirty or Leaky Ducts
If your HVAC filters are not replaced consistently, dust can amass in the ductwork, restricting the capability for the air to flow well. In older houses, it’s likely for ducts to become dirty or leaky thanks to rodents, insects, or cracks and holes. In general, these issues will produce reduced airflow and inefficiency in your HVAC system. To make certain that your ducting isn’t the starting point of the trouble, definitely have it inspected and cleaned on a regular basis.
6. Slow Blower Fan
In order to shift air all throughout the rental house, HVAC systems will utilize one or various blower fans depending on the need. Assuming the blower fan is problematic, airflow issues might crop up and that means your HVAC system will be much less effective. After a while, fans can wear down or even become caked in grime. The key to a slow blower fan is to have it inspected and either cleaned or replaced the moment the issue is seen.
7. Leaking Refrigerant
If you have an older HVAC system, you may have a refrigerant leak. This is also true if your system hasn’t been well maintained in the past. A leaking refrigerant could be the reason why the system has trouble with its airflow and cooling. You don’t get to notice the problem immediately. This is because the issue slowly gets worse as more refrigerant leaks out. To solve the problem, have a qualified HVAC technician inspect and repair your unit.
8. Faulty Thermostat
There are occasions where the problem isn’t with the HVAC unit but with the thermostat. A malfunctioning thermostat may be the reason why heating and cooling the house isn’t efficient. With a broken thermostat, maintaining a comfortable temperature may take a lot more energy, forcing your HVAC unit to work harder than it should. So, if you’ve had problems with your HVAC unit and had it checked but no issues could be found, don’t have the whole system replaced right away. Make sure to inspect the thermostat. It’s possible that all your system needs are a new thermostat. That’s a lot better than replacing the whole system.
9. Wrong Size Unit
Just like the rental homes, they’re installed in, HVAC units come in all sorts of sizes. It’s important that your unit is just the right size for the space you have. Units that are too small or too big would pose problems. If they’re too small, they won’t heat and cool your property efficiently. If they’re too big then it would cycle on and off too frequently. That would lead to high levels of humidity and stuffy interiors. To remedy this issue, have an HVAC expert assess the heating and cooling needs of your Hallandale Beach rental property. Then have them make a recommendation on whether the one you already have is the right size or if you need to replace it.
10. Outdated HVAC System
Lastly, another common HVAC system issue is the age of the unit or the ductwork. In many cases, the reason for the issue is just that the system is old and outdated. This is more prevalent in older homes that went through updating and renovation. There are times when the HVAC system isn’t updated together with the rest of the house. To get the most efficient airflow that your HVAC unit can offer, ask an expert about updating your ductwork. You may realize that even simple changes can make a world of difference.
Many issues that are common to HVAC systems could be easily prevented by making sure regular, professional maintenance is done each year. But scheduling the HVAC maintenance is not as easy as it seems. In real life, there will be so many tasks that would need your attention. And forgetting about the HVAC system could easily happen. Instead, why not entrust the care and maintenance of your rental properties to the Hallandale Beach property managers at Real Property Management United? 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 973-747-5629 today!
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