Your furnace and air conditioner are parts of a complex HVAC system that runs through your house. Since the system has so many parts, there are a lot of things that can go wrong. Knowing these three common problems that can kill your HVAC system should help you avoid expensive repairs. 

Dirty Air Filters

Image via Flickr by Ivy Dawned

You have probably been told to replace your air filters about once a month. Depending on where you live, you may need to change them more or less often. What really matters is how much dirt the filter collects.

If your filter is dirty, then it is already creating problems for your HVAC system. The biggest challenge is that your system has to fight poor air flow. The system will do its best to keep your house comfortable. If that means working longer hours, then it will.

This often leads to an overheated heat exchanger. When this part gets hot too quickly, it will automatically shut off to prevent further mechanical problems. It could also prevent your house from burning down, so it's one of those parts that you definitely want to work properly.

Eventually, this part will either wear out or its limiter switch will fail. Replacing it will typically cost around $200. It's cheaper to replace those dirty filters. Plus, new filters will help keep your home's air healthy.

Burned Capacitors 

Your HVAC system has a run capacitor that helps its motors stay at the right speed. When the motors need a little help, the run capacitor steps in with some extra speed. This keeps the motors spinning and your home comfortable.

Over time, these capacitors can burn out. Like all devices, they can only do their job so many times before failing.

When run capacitors fail, you will notice that your furnace and air conditioner become extremely inefficient. The HVAC system might seem like it's working all the time, yet your home is still too cold or hot.

Avoiding this is easy when you get regular maintenance. Herchenbach Mechanical provides maintenance services that can spot these potential problems before they need expensive replacement parts. Instead of spending a lot of money to get your system working again, you spend a little each year to make sure everything is in good order.

Leaky Air Ducts

Leaky air ducts, and air ducts that aren't properly insulated, can put a lot of stress on your home's HVAC system. Even small leaks can create inefficiencies that force your furnace and air conditioner to work harder than necessary.

As you can probably expect, extra work shortens the life of your HVAC system. The harder it has to work, the fewer years of service you will get from it.

According to Energy Star,  leaking ducts can cut your system's efficiency by as much as 20 percent. That means you are also spending a lot of extra money on electricity and natural gas.

HVAC systems certainly aren't cheap. Keep these potential problems in mind so you can always keep yours in top condition. You could save a lot of money in the long-run.