Unsure whether the scary noises from your room are from a ghost or a defective HVAC system? Our HVAC technicians at Culver City Best Heating and Air Conditioning provide extensive AC service and maintenance to ensure your HVAC unit is ready for the Halloween season. Here are HVAC issues that can cause horror stories to the homeowner:
- The One Cold Room
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- You notice that the rest of your house is at a comfortable temperature, but one room is consistently cold. You could even see your breath as if it was already winter. Even if one may think the room is just being in the season with Halloween, it may not be the case this time. Stop blaming a poltergeist or a ghost for this issue because a faulty air duct may just be preventing airflow into the room.
- A blocked vent puts additional strain on the HVAC system, requiring more energy. The system’s air filters, like the oil in a car, should be changed regularly. Leaks can occur due to the line contracting and expanding or due to a broken seal around the vent. An undersized system could be a more serious problem. It is important to consult an HVAC professional for home heating maintenance to avoid that one cold room in your house.
- A Closing Door When No One Is There
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- In haunted house movies, we see inanimate objects move on their own. You notice a creaky door slowly closing on its own and suspect it is paranormal. It could be a draft caused by your HVAC system rather than a mischievous ghost moving your chandelier.
- It’s strange to see inanimate objects jostle on their own, but it’s important to look into the situation further. You can contact us to schedule an appointment for us to diagnose the problem. If these occurrences frequently occur in the home, there may be a pressure imbalance in the HVAC system.
- Bumps in the Night
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- Nighttime noises such as crashes, screeches, or banging can be frightening. You might consider calling a ghost buster – pardon the pun – but your first call should be a professional HVAC technician to service your HVAC system. Belt or motor problems could be the source of screeching noises. Banging sounds in your HVAC system can be caused by delayed gas ignition or defective metal ductwork.
- Speak with one of our HVAC technicians if you suspect a noisy motor bearing or belt. HVAC systems shouldn’t use common lubricants, but a defective belt can be replaceable. The gas buildup causes delayed gas ignition, which damages the entire HVAC system. The duct system can become noisy due to consistent use, but changing the filter can prevent this.
Get Your HVAC System Ready for Halloween
Are you ready for Halloween? With all the festivities happening during the Halloween season, it is still important to provide heating and air maintenance for your HVAC system. Here are also tips on how to handle the Halloween festivities without compromising your HVAC system:
- Celebrate Halloween outdoors
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- You can always take your bowl of candy outside to ensure your home’s temperature remains stable throughout the evening! It’s not uncommon for people to set up outside their homes and hand out candy to trick-or-treaters in mild weather. This saves you from repeatedly opening the door, giving your HVAC system a break. It also allows you to observe the swarms of happy children as they run around the neighborhood. It could also be a good solution for pet owners with animals who become nervous or agitated when people knock on the door and make a lot of noise.
- If the weather is nice, you can set up a fan and relax with a cold cider. On a cool night, it’s a good excuse to dress up as Elphaba or Frankenstein with hot chocolate, slippers, and a blanket. There’s no shame in a cozy Halloween game, and you can retire to your perfectly cozy home at the end of the night.
- Use Halloween decorations to make things comfortable
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- Setting up a physical barrier to prevent air from entering and leaving your front door as it is opened and closed repeatedly is another way to help maintain a stable temperature in your home. Make a small, sectioned-off barrier with enough room to stand in at your door using tape, bedsheets, and fun Halloween decorations. You can simply part the bedsheets to gain access to the rest of your house, but they will help maintain a consistent temperature throughout the evening.
- This is a fun way to add extra decoration to your home and a fun surprise for trick-or-treaters who come knocking! You can even match the barrier to your costume for added style points. It’s also a great way to keep bugs out of your house and avoid unwanted close encounters later in the night.
- Be mindful of fall weather
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- Even in late October, temperatures can vary greatly for the season. You might recall chocolates melting in your plastic pumpkin due to the warmth of a Halloween evening or attempting to wear fairy wings over a coat due to the chill winds that descended on the night of candy collecting. Just as you would plan your Halloween costume, it is critical to have a plan in place for your air conditioner, regardless of the weather.
- If it’s cold outside and your heat is on, you might want to lower the temperature a few degrees. You’ll be letting in cold air whenever you open the door to give candy to the little monsters. Turning down your thermostat prevents your heater from working overtime to keep up.
- If it’s hot outside and your air conditioner is on, you might want to do the opposite. Increase the temperature on the thermostat. This way, you won’t waste conditioned air whenever you open that door.
For additional information on how to maintain your HVAC system throughout Halloween night, refer to our other blog posts catered to this season. You may also consult our certified HVAC technicians today.