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Your guide to green living in Montgomery County, MD |
This blog post was submitted by Katelyn Brinn, Content Marketing Strategist for A-One Refrigeration & Heating, a family-owned and operated business that has been happily providing homes and businesses with quality HVAC services since 1980. When not writing, she does bird-watching with her family and relaxes through stand up paddle board yoga.
Your HVAC system works hard all-year-round to keep you cozy and comfortable through the change of seasons. Eventually, though, all that wear and tear will take its toll on the unit and cause it to act up or suddenly stop working.
Things can turn uncomfortable really quick when your AC system malfunctions. That being said, having a basic understanding of how to troubleshoot your HVAC unit will allow you to tackle most minor issues on your own and save yourself the cost of professional air conditioning repair.
Here are six common HVAC troubleshooting tips every homeowner should know:
Sometimes, it only takes a flip of a switch to get your HVAC working properly again. Is your unit completely dead or won’t turn or at all? It could be that your circuit breaker has tripped due to a power surge and cut off the power supply. If this is the case, you’ll only need to reset the system to get it up and running again. You’ll also want to check for any damage or fraying on the cord, as rodents or pests may have chewed on them and affected the power supply.
If none of the above issues seem to be the cause of the problem, check the outlet. Unplug the AC power cord and plug another high-voltage appliance into the port. If the appliance doesn’t work, the issue could be with the outlet; if it does, there could be something wrong with the unit itself – possibly a blown fuse or a faulty motor – that requires the attention of an HVAC professional.
Thermostats are generally reliable devices, but they can also malfunction or need maintenance from time to time. Plenty of HVAC problems originate from a broken thermostat. If your system isn’t starting properly or won’t turn on at, check if the thermostat has power.
Many thermostats are battery-powered. They tend to malfunction when the batteries run down and should work properly again after you change the batteries. If, however, a new set of batteries doesn’t solve the problem, you might need to call in a professional to recalibrate your thermostat and fix its on/off and temperature reading functions.
Another prevalent issue that affects both air conditioners and heaters is lack of sufficient airflow, which usually happens when the filters are clogged with dust and debris. Too much filth in the filters impedes airflow, preventing you from feeling either warm or cold air coming from the unit.
You should clean your air filters and replace them every two to three months. Doing so will not only resolve your airflow problems but improve the efficiency of your HVAC system and the air quality in your home.
Also, don’t forget to check the exterior unit of your HVAC system on a regular basis. Clear the surrounding area of clutter and remove fallen leaves, branches, and other debris can obstruct the unit’s airways or block the airflow.
When airflow is restricted, your HVAC unit may also experience short cycling, causing the unit to shut down before it completes the heating or cooling cycle. Most of the time, this problem is easily resolved by cleaning or changing the air filter.
Another possible cause of short cycling is frozen coils. Check the evaporator coils, which are usually located in the air handler. If they have ice or frost on them, turn the unit off to let the coils thaw.
If it’s not any of the first two, a faulty thermostat that fails to get the right temperature reading could be to blame for the short cycling. This is often the case when the room doesn’t seem to reach your desired comfort levels. Because of the more complex nature of this particular problem, it’s recommended to leave the job to the experts.
Anytime you notice weird smells coming from your furnace or air conditioner, act on it as soon as possible because it could either be mold or burnt wiring; one just as dangerous as the other.
Molds are the likely culprit for foul HVAC odors, and they can pose serious health risks. In case of suspected mold growth, check for any leaks in your HVAC unit and make sure to seal them off. This will prevent the water leaking into your home and creating moisture, which is the ideal breeding room for molds.
If the stench comes from burnt wiring and electrical connections, call an electrician to help you deal with the problem immediately and avoid any hazardous situations.
Is your air conditioner making loud noises? Then you should start your troubleshooting with the fan motor, which is responsible for blowing cool air into the ductwork and hot air out of the house.
Damaged fans can start making a lot of noise that’s very difficult to ignore. But even trapped dust and debris can make fans noisier than usual. If the latter is the issue, giving your unit a good cleaning might help reduce or get rid of the noise. The thing is; it’s not always easy to determine where the noises in your unit are coming from or what’s causing them. To ensure that correct repairs are made and further damage is avoided, ask an HVAC specialist to check and fix the unit.
Most of these basic HVAC troubleshooting tips are easy enough to perform. But if you’re not sure what to do, you can always call your local HVAC company for help.
Looking for a contractor in your service territory?
Also, consider scheduling at least two HVAC tune-ups every year – one before summer (for air conditioning) and the other one before winter (for heating). Professional HVAC maintenance will help ensure optimal performance and prevent your HVAC system from breaking down during the times you need it most.
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I found it interesting when you said that tear and wear from daily use could be the cause of the problems. My wife thinks that our furnace needs repair because it is difficult to start, and she asked me last night if I had any idea what would be the best option to do. Thanks to this informative article, I’ll be sure to consult a trusted furnace repair service as they can help with correct repair and preventative measures to prevent problems.
We are so glad that you found this article helpful, if you are looking for other information about energy savings and ways to pay for energy upgrades, check out our other website: https://montgomeryenergyconnection.org/
A more subtle sign of a broken thermostat is when room temperatures don’t match. Now if your home is zoned, then temperature differences between rooms is normal. But if your home hasn’t been zoned, fluctuating temperatures in different parts of the house could point to a faulty thermostat.
I was cleaning the system when I noticed a weird smell from our furnace. Thank you for letting me know that the weird smells coming from your furnace are maybe due to burnt wiring. I will make sure to hire a furnace repair contractor to fix our unit.
I’m an HVAC professional at Dallas. I would like to share so much information about HVAC services that must be helping to others. Also i would like to tell u that an HVAC system is an essential part of any home or building. Regardless of the outside weather or time of year, an HVAC system helps maintain comfortable environmental conditions within a building by heating and cooling rooms
There’s no suitable timing for your heating system to break down in the winter, and the colder seasons are an especially bad time to go without heat. It is essential to regularly have professional maintenance performed on your HVAC system; however, even the most well-maintained system may fail at the most inconvenient moment.
Thank you for your assistance! I’m looking forward to your next post!
Thanks for the tip about how I should also consider watching out for strange smells when planning to get HVAC services. I’d like to look for a good service like that because I plan to start working on improving the cooling in my home. That way I wouldn’t have to deal anymore with sweating too much in my sleep.
This is why it is very important to maintain HVAC system at home to prevent these from happening, Thank you for this very informative piece.
There are a few reasons that basic and commercial HVAC Troubleshooting is so important. The first is that it can help prevent small problems from escalating into larger, more expensive ones. Second, it can help you save money on your energy bill by ensuring that your system is running as efficiently as possible. Third, it can help keep your family comfortable by ensuring that your HVAC system is working properly. Contact Spokane Heating and Cooling today!
Great blog, very useful tips thanks for sharing. Attempting to repair your HVAC System without the necessary training might be risky. Always choose trusted HVAC experts because they have the experience to deal with any type of HVAC problem at a reasonable cost.
Great article on basic HVAC troubleshooting tips for homeowners! As someone who isn’t an expert in HVAC systems, I found this article to be very informative and easy to understand. The tips provided are practical and useful, and I appreciate the emphasis on safety and the importance of calling a professional if necessary. Keep up the good work!
It really helped when you elaborated on identifying and reporting unpleasant smells coming from an HVAC unit. My sister called and said that her cooling unit started leaving a weird smell, so I’ll call her back now to suggest she reads your post. Thanks for the tips on preventing mold growth by selling any HVAC leak.
This article on basic HVAC troubleshooting tips is an absolute gem for homeowners. It provides practical advice and easy-to-follow steps to help troubleshoot common HVAC issues. The author’s explanations are clear and concise, making it accessible even for those with limited technical knowledge. I appreciated the emphasis on safety precautions and the importance of regular maintenance. After reading this article, I felt confident in my ability to identify and address minor HVAC problems. I highly recommend this article to all homeowners who want to save time and money by troubleshooting HVAC issues on their own.
This article on basic HVAC troubleshooting tips is incredibly helpful! As a homeowner, it’s essential to have some knowledge about maintaining and troubleshooting HVAC systems. The tips provided in this blog post are practical and easy to understand. I appreciate the step-by-step explanations and the emphasis on safety precautions. Thank you for sharing this valuable information with us!
As a homeowner, I greatly appreciate this blog post on basic HVAC troubleshooting tips. The step-by-step approach and clear explanations make it easy for anyone to tackle common HVAC issues. The emphasis on safety precautions and knowing when to call a professional is commendable. Thank you for empowering homeowners with this valuable knowledge!
You made a good point that it’s important to also consider the airflow when troubleshooting an HVAC unit. I’d like to find a good emergency HVAC consultation service because I plan to start optimizing my home’s cooling and heating. I think that will help a lot in preventing any sort of sickness caused by sudden changes in the temperature when the seasons change.
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Thanks for this incredibly valuable info. This empowers anyone to identify minor issues and potentially prevent major problems. While professional assistance is important for complex issues, the ability to troubleshoot can provide peace of mind and ensure the HVAC system operates smoothly.
It’s great that you elaborated that understanding the proper safety of electrical cords could help enhance safety. A couple of days ago, my sister informed me she needed furnace repair servicing because it doesn’t work the way it used before due to a lack of maintenance. She asked if I had ideas on the best repair approach. I love this helpful furnace guide article for proper repair planning. I’ll consult a trusted furnace repair service as they can help with correct repair and preventative actions to prevent concerns.
Basic HVAC troubleshooting tips are essential knowledge for homeowners like me. Whenever there’s an issue with my HVAC system, I prefer to try some troubleshooting steps before calling in a professional. My Green Montgomery’s article provides valuable information on this front. I appreciate the tips shared here, especially in emergencies when I can’t wait for a technician.
Basic HVAC troubleshooting tips every homeowner should know! This blog is a lifesaver for those unexpected issues. Clear explanations and practical advice make it easy for anyone to tackle common HVAC problems. A must-read for homeowners looking to enhance their troubleshooting skills.
The tip about checking the exterior unit is something I hadn’t thought about before. It’s so true that many of us overlook the importance of clean air filters. I’ll definitely make it a point to clean and replace them regularly from now on. The idea that it not only improves airflow but also enhances the efficiency of the HVAC system. Thanks for sharing these practical tips.
Great tips for troubleshooting HVAC issues! It’s empowering to have some basic knowledge to address common problems. However, for more complex issues or if I’m unsure, I’ll rely on professional HVAC technicians. Their expertise and training are essential for diagnosing and fixing any serious issues efficiently. Thanks for the insightful guidance!