There are a lot of responsibilities that come with owning a home. In order to keep up with the maintenance of your home, and avoid costly repairs in the future, it’s important to know that everything in your house is working the way that it should. One of the most important systems you should keep track of is the HVAC system. Failure to do so not only hurt your wallet, but your home can get very uncomfortable very quickly if anything goes awry. Here are a few essential troubleshooting tips you should know if you find that your HVAC unit isn’t working correctly.
Replacing Air Filters
Dirty air filters are one of the most common reasons for a malfunctioning HVAC. That’s why knowing how check and replace air filters is one of the most useful troubleshooting tips when you’re working with an HVAC. When the filters get dirty and clogged up, it forces the system to work harder to cool the air, causing it to use more energy. Filters should be changed around every 90 days to keep it working efficiently. If the filters seem to be getting worn out earlier though, you can even change them out every month.
Clearing Debris from the Outdoor Unit
Of course, since the outdoor unit is more than likely close to grass, trees, and other physical outdoor items, there is the possibility that the unit can accumulate particles, like leaves and branches, over time. These items can block the air from blowing freely into your indoor space which affects the quality of the air and the unit’s cooling abilities. To make sure your unit stays free of debris, you can very carefully open the outdoor unit and clear the debris yourself if you know how to do so. In addition, remove any vegetation near the unit to help avoid anything else from getting caught in the unit.
Cleaning Indoor Vents, Ducts, and Registers
As the air conditioning is working throughout your home, some small particles like dust and dirt can end up getting stuck and blocking the vents and ducts. Over time, this can actually affect your air conditioner’s efficiency, lower your home’s air quality, and make your home uncomfortable. In this situation, it would be helpful to know when the vents and ducts need a good cleaning, but since this is a little more easily said than done, consider looking for a ![]()
professional to clean your ducts for you on a regular basis.
Checking the Thermostat
Another area HVAC problems can start from is the thermostat. Because of this, you should know how to check and see if your thermostat is faulty or not. The first step would be to make sure your thermostat actually has power. If it doesn’t turn on, try changing the batteries to see if that’s where the problem is. If you reset the temperature and nothing changes, consider calling a professional for help.
Checking the Circuit Breakers and Power Supply
Finally, if your AC unit isn’t starting at all, check the electrical supply cords to see if they are correctly in place. Another place to check is the circuit breakers. At times, power overload can make the circuit breakers cut the power supply, or sometimes people might accidentally turn the switches and breakers off. Finally, ensure that your location is not experiencing a power outage before calling your technician.
While learning as many HVAC troubleshooting tips as you can may come in handy in some circumstances, it isn’t feasible for you to be able to solve all HVAC related problems yourself. Contact Thermacon for all your HVAC diagnosing, repair, and maintenance needs! However, by utilizing these tips, you can try to help your unit’s viability as best as you can. Contact us today for an HVAC inspection to ensure that your air conditioning unit is working at its full capability. If you’d like to make an appointment, call us at 866-797-1535, or schedule an appointment online. Visit our website for more information on our vast number of services, including air conditioning, heating, duct cleaning, indoor ai quality, maintenance, commercial HVAC, industrial, and marine services.
For the latest updates on all things HVAC from our Thermacon team, follow us on Facebook, and YouTube.
