Although many homeowners in Okeana, OH, take it for granted, your home’s HVAC system plays an important role in protecting you from extreme temperatures while keeping you comfortable. Unfortunately, as with any complex appliance in your home, it’s bound to have an issue occasionally. If you’ve returned home from work to a broken air conditioning or heating system, follow these simple steps before calling an HVAC contractor. What might seem like a major problem might have an easy solution.
How to Troubleshoot Your Air Conditioning System
Before calling an HVAC contractor for an air conditioning repair, take these steps to ensure the problem isn’t easily fixable.
- Check the thermostat and make sure it’s set to the ‘cool’ position.
- Check the circuit breaker box and make sure all of the circuit breakers are in the ‘ON’ position.
- Check the ‘disconnect switch’ on the outdoor unit and make sure it’s in the ‘ON’ position.
AC Problems and Their Possible Causes
If your HVAC system doesn’t turn on, it could signal that either the motor or the compressor has broken down and needs replacing. If it still turns on, it could be a number of other issues hindering its efficient operation.
No cooling in the home.
- Thermostat is set too high: lower the setting by five degrees.
- Condenser is dirty: clean the coil, straighten and clean the fins; contact an HVAC company
- Condenser unit is blocked: remove the obstruction.
- Evaporator is dirty: clean the evaporator.
- Compressor is faulty: contact an HVAC company.
- Low refrigerant: contact an HVAC company.
Uneven cooling in the home.
- Distribution system is out of balance: contact an HVAC contractor to balance it.
Not enough cooling in the home.
- Thermostat is set too high: lower the setting by five degrees.
- Evaporator is dirty: clean the evaporator.
- The system is too small: contact an HVAC company for replacement recommendations.
How to Troubleshoot Your Heating System
Before calling an HVAC contractor for a heating repair, take these steps to ensure the problem isn’t easily fixable.
- Check the thermostat and make sure it’s set to the ‘heat’ position.
- Check to ensure the temperature setting is higher than the temperature reading.
- Check the circuit breaker box and make sure all of the circuit breakers are in the ‘ON’ position.
- Check to ensure that there’s power to the furnace.
- Check to ensure the furnace air filter isn’t clogged.
- Check to ensure there isn’t any snow accumulation against the outdoor unit.
Most Common Problems With a Furnace
If you’ve made all the checks and you’re heating system still doesn’t operate properly, chances are it’s one of these common causes of a breakdown.
- Electric ignition or pilot control issues: a faulty ignition or pilot light can prevent your heating system from operating properly. Drafts and clogs in the furnace can also prevent a pilot light from lighting.
- Frequent cycling: a clogged filter, poor airflow or an improper thermostat setting can all lead to frequent cycling between ‘on’ and ‘off’ modes.
- Continuously running motor: an issue with the motor often means there’s a problem with the limit switch, which an HVAC technician will need to replace.
- Noisy furnace: rumbles and rattles indicate a mechanical problem, reductions in airflow or a burner that’s clogged.
Tips to Prevent Air Conditioning and Heating Problems
- Check the air filter monthly and change as needed especially during the hottest and coldest months of the year. This is the easiest task a homeowner can perform to ensure efficient operation.
- Invest in HVAC seasonal maintenance to ensure your heating and cooling system is taken care of. Although it’s an upfront investment, it pays for itself by helping homeowners save on their utility bills and reduces repairs.
- Never try to fix an HVAC system yourself unless you’ve been properly trained. Otherwise, you could be worsening the problem while also putting your safety at risk.
Remember, HVAC maintenance is the number-one way to find minor issues with your system before they become major problems. If you’re in need of an air conditioning repair, a heating repair or HVAC maintenance, contact Western Hills Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc.
