One symptom, many possible causes. That is the core challenge of HVAC repair, and it matters even more in Napa, CA, where failures seem to wait for the most extreme weather of the year. Equipment that will not start at all might have a failed low-voltage transformer, a thermostat that has stopped calling, a control board that has lost its sequence, or a float switch shut off by a backed-up condensate drain. Equipment that runs but never catches up is a different list: a weak capacitor, a worn contactor, a low charge, a dirty flame sensor, or a filter clogged badly enough to starve the blower.
Most of our service calls are for AC Repair and Furnace Repair. If something has stopped working, start there.
Warning Signs for HVAC Repair
Recognizing the warning signs early can save you time and money. Keep an eye out for the following clues:
- Water around the indoor unit from a clogged condensate drain
- Unfamiliar sounds from the equipment, like squealing, grinding, or banging
- Barely any air coming out of the vents
- Air at the registers that is the wrong temperature for the mode you selected
- Short cycling, where the system starts and stops without ever reaching the setpoint
- The outdoor unit humming but refusing to actually start
- Higher energy bills with no improvement in comfort
- Repeated breaker trips every time the heating or cooling kicks on
Don't Wait for a Total Failure
A failing capacitor, clogged condensate drain, or dirty flame sensor rarely fixes itself and usually gets more expensive to address the longer it runs. If you notice any of these signs, call (707) 210-0201 for a prompt inspection.
