On really hot days, there鈥檚 nothing better than getting out of the hot air and cooling off in your air-conditioned house. But have you ever walked in the door, only to discover that your air conditioner is not working? It鈥檚 not fun. Then you worry about the cost of having to repair or replace your AC. That鈥檚 no fun. What if you could diagnose or fix the problem yourself and not even need a professional to step in? That鈥檚 not always the case but checking out this HVAC troubleshooting guide could save you some headaches鈥攁nd maybe even some cash.
Have you checked the thermostat setup?
If the settings on your thermostat are not properly set, they could cause your air conditioning to malfunction. Maybe you need to replace the thermostat batteries. That would be a very simple fix. If that doesn鈥檛 help, make sure it is set to 鈥渃ool鈥� and three to five degrees below room temperature.
Is any cool air coming in?
Check the register to see if cold air is coming into the house. If not, you might need to reset the AC unit at the circuit breaker. If everything had been working properly and stopped, it鈥檚 possible there鈥檚 water below the unit. If the coils are dirty, the water could freeze. Does that seem to be the problem? Turn the AC off at both the thermostat and the circuit breaker. Clean the coils, wait three hours and then restart the air conditioner.
How鈥檚 the airflow?
Take a look at the thermostat鈥檚 fan and make sure it is set to 鈥渃ontinuous鈥� and the registers (supply and return ducts) are open and clear. Find the cold air return and remove the filter. Is it dirty? If so, your AC won鈥檛 work efficiently. You may need to replace the air filters if yours are disposable. If your AC unit uses a permanent filter, look in the manual to learn how to clean it. Just be sure the arrow points toward the ductwork inside when you put it back in.
Is there noise from the AC unit?
Air conditioners can make all kinds of sounds, and each one can signify something different鈥攗sually an outdoor unit issue. If you have an old unit that is emitting a high-pitched squeal, the belt that connects the motor to the blower may have slipped and would need to be replaced. A similar sound in a newer unit is likely to be the bearings on your condenser fan鈥檚 motor. A buzzing noise is more problematic and could mean there are loose parts, missing or broken isolation feet, leaks in the refrigerant or a malfunctioning compressor.
Are there any preventive steps I can take?
Not every repair can be prevented, but if you properly maintain your HVAC system you may be able to save money and extend the life of your system. Here are some suggestions:
- Replace your air filters. Disposable filters should be replaced every 30 to 90 days. If you have pets or keep your windows open, you might need to do it more frequently.
- Keep your outdoor AC unit free from dirt and debris. Do you see leaves, sticks, dirt or foreign objects in or around the compressor? Remove them because they could be blocking the air flow.
- Clean your indoor air vents and registers. Wipe them with a damp cloth and vacuum between the slats so that air flows freely.
- Turn off the humidifier鈥檚 water supply in the summer. You likely don鈥檛 need the extra humidity and should set it to 35-45 percent before turning it back on.
- Pay attention to weird noises. Hopefully, it鈥檚 as simple as debris caught somewhere or a loose bolt. If there鈥檚 a wiring issue, call a professional technician.
- Turn it off when the weather isn鈥檛 extreme. Give the system a break and use fans or open windows whenever you can comfortably do so.
- Schedule regular maintenance checkups. If you want fewer repair expenses, scheduling preventive maintenance for your HVAC system can help.
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