Troubleshooting Prior to Hiring Professional HVAC Repairs
Heating and air conditioning units, whether small window units or large basement furnaces, need maintenance and repair. Without the right care they can easily break down so instead of having a unit that can last five to ten years you’ll end up with a broken dud in just two. However, when your unit starts breaking down you might want to conduct some troubleshooting before calling in professional heating and air conditioning repair services. It can save you money and lets you call in the professionals only when needed.
Start with the Air Filter
The air filter is responsible mainly for cleaning out the air, ensuring that dirt and allergens do not infiltrate your home but it also has a lot to do with your HVAC unit’s air flow. When the filters are clogged then air flow is choked up and this means your unit has to exert more effort and energy just to run at a normal pace. This can break down the unit and eventually make it overheat. Perhaps it’s time for you to take out the filters and give them a good clean-up job.
Check Your Power Source
Sometimes the only reason why your HVAC is running is because the electricity is off. Check if the unit is properly connected to the power source. Check if the circuit breakers are at the right position – even if they are, reset them by shutting them down and then putting them back on. Make sure that the emergency cut-off switch is not switched. You may also notice on your unit that a red or yellow button has popped out – this is an emergency button that only appears when your unit has overheated. Let your unit cool and then push the button back in so it can operate normally.
Check for Obstructions Around the Condenser
Sometimes all it takes for your heating and air conditioning unit to break down and stop working is a bundle of dried leaves around the condenser unit. These obstructions will impede proper air flow and as discussed above this makes your unit over-exert the amount of energy required, up to the point of overheating and shutting down. Take some time to clean out the condenser every once in a while.
Adjust the Thermostat
Remember to check the thermostat! Some people think that their unit isn’t running when in fact they haven’t taken the time to adjust the thermostat. Many HVAC units won’t turn on if the desired temperature isn’t lower than the current air temperature. Make sure that the AC is set for cooling and not heating and this goes vice versa for the heating unit.
When All Else Fails
When all else fails you should call on professional heating and air conditioning repair services. The professionals are the ones who should open up your HVAC unit and see what is going wrong when all of the troubleshooting has been done. This not only saves time since they can jump right onto the more detailed repair work but it also saves you money since they don’t have to do the troubleshooting for you.
Heating and air conditioning units, whether small window units or large basement furnaces, need maintenance and repair. Without the right care they can easily break down so instead of having a unit that can last five to ten years you’ll end up with a broken dud in just two. However, when your unit starts breaking down you might want to conduct some troubleshooting before calling in professional heating and air conditioning repair services. It can save you money and lets you call in the professionals only when needed.
Start with the Air Filter
The air filter is responsible mainly for cleaning out the air, ensuring that dirt and allergens do not infiltrate your home but it also has a lot to do with your HVAC unit’s air flow. When the filters are clogged then air flow is choked up and this means your unit has to exert more effort and energy just to run at a normal pace. This can break down the unit and eventually make it overheat. Perhaps it’s time for you to take out the filters and give them a good clean-up job.
Check Your Power Source
Sometimes the only reason why your HVAC is running is because the electricity is off. Check if the unit is properly connected to the power source. Check if the circuit breakers are at the right position – even if they are, reset them by shutting them down and then putting them back on. Make sure that the emergency cut-off switch is not switched. You may also notice on your unit that a red or yellow button has popped out – this is an emergency button that only appears when your unit has overheated. Let your unit cool and then push the button back in so it can operate normally.
Check for Obstructions Around the Condenser
Sometimes all it takes for your heating and air conditioning unit to break down and stop working is a bundle of dried leaves around the condenser unit. These obstructions will impede proper air flow and as discussed above this makes your unit over-exert the amount of energy required, up to the point of overheating and shutting down. Take some time to clean out the condenser every once in a while.
Adjust the Thermostat
Remember to check the thermostat! Some people think that their unit isn’t running when in fact they haven’t taken the time to adjust the thermostat. Many HVAC units won’t turn on if the desired temperature isn’t lower than the current air temperature. Make sure that the AC is set for cooling and not heating and this goes vice versa for the heating unit.
When All Else Fails
When all else fails you should call on professional heating and air conditioning repair services. The professionals are the ones who should open up your HVAC unit and see what is going wrong when all of the troubleshooting has been done. This not only saves time since they can jump right onto the more detailed repair work but it also saves you money since they don’t have to do the troubleshooting for you.