Harvey W. Hottel, Inc.

Since 1945

• Residential Services
• Commercial Services
• Geothermal
• Engineering/Design Build

Resources

Common Residential Air Conditioning Problems (and Solutions)

Before you know it the hot and humid summer days will arrive in the mid-Atlantic region. Families throughout Washington DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia alike have already expressed their concerns regarding their faulty HVAC systems. Many are worried that their units will not be capable the handle this years summer heat. The staff of Harvey W. Hottel, Inc. has put together a self-help/diagnosis checklist to answer some of the most common HVAC questions.

After a long fall and winter HVAC systems are subject to a variety of abuses that will negatively effect their performance come spring and summer. One of the most common issues surrounding home cooling has to do with HVAC output. In some instances, residential HVAC systems will not admit air from the vents. In the event that your HVAC is running BUT is emitting no air, Harvey Hottel suggests that you turn off your system for 8 hours and replace the air filters. Old or damaged air filters will not permit the free-flow of air throughout your home. All home supplies stores in Montgomery County Maryland carry air filters and you can often find them on sale.

Prolonged use of your residential HVAC system during the summer months may cause a build up of ice around the pipes leading from the HVAC compressor. Turn off your system immediately. Allow sufficient time for the ice to melt before reactivation. Never melt ice with a blowtorch or boiling water, which can cause damage to your pipes. To prevent future ice build up, regulate the temperature of your HVAC system on your thermostat. Never run your system for a prolonged period of time.

Residential HVAC systems have a tendency to emit varying air temperatures depending upon the room. This issue can be attributed to non-regulated airflow. Make sure all vents in closets and bathrooms are shut. Rooms that remain cool even without the help of the AC should have restricted airflow. If the issue still persists, it is possible that your duct system may be improperly routed for your home.

One of the more severe issues surrounding residential cooling is water dripping from vents and pipes. The origins of such issues are most likely internal and can only be diagnosed by a trained professional HVAC technician.

Harvey W. Hottel, Inc. specializes in HVAC service repairs, contracts, equipment installations, equipment replacement, HVAC engineering, design/build, and control systems. This summer, don't get burned by the other "skilled" professionals, give Harvey W. Hottel a call today.