HVAC Troubleshooting Tips to Keep You Warm This Winter
Routine maintenance and proper repairs by professionals are key to keeping your HVAC system running smoothly. However, there are also a few things you can do to help extend the life of your system and troubleshoot any issues. By following these tips, you can keep your home comfortable all winter long.
Learn how to keep your HVAC system running smoothly all winter long. From routine maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, we’ve got everything you need to keep your home comfortable all season.
First, let’s start with the basics.
Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC) is vital to your comfort at home. Not only does it keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter, but it also helps remove pollutants and improve indoor air quality.
While many HVAC issues require an expert touch, there are some problems you can easily diagnose and fix yourself. Here are a few places to start:
9 HVAC Troubleshooting Tips
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Make Sure Your HVAC System Gas Power: It may seem unlikely, but a surprisingly large number of things can take a simple solution to a distressful situation. If a system isn’t turning on, the first step is to assess the resources you have and determine what else is required. Checking your breaker, making sure it hasn’t flipped, and re-flashing the breaker can help you save energy in the long run. Turning the breaker back on can help performance.
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Try Resetting Your HVAC System: If something isn’t working, then one of the first to come in handy is to reset the system. Every furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump has unique reset methods. Check the manual to find out how you can reset your system. If you do not have the manual, you can find them online by using the model number of the system.
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Make Sure Your Furnace Door is Closed: If your furnace door is open, you are losing heat and money. It’s important to make sure that your furnace door is closed when your furnace is running. If you have an older furnace, the door may not seal as well as it used to. You can buy a furnace door seal kit at your local hardware store. Follow the instructions carefully and make sure the door is sealed tightly.
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Check the Thermostat for Issues: If your home isn’t cooling or heating like it should be, it might be time to check the thermostat. A thermostat that isn’t working properly can cause all sorts of issues, from making your home too hot or too cold, to making your energy bills skyrocket. Luckily, checking the thermostat for issues is a relatively easy task that you can do yourself. Thermostats are often the cause of many HVAC problems. A faulty thermostat can lead to many different results, including the system turning on at the wrong time or not turning on at all. One of the first steps is making sure that the thermostat has power. If it is battery-operated, try changing the batteries, even if it seems to be working fine. If the thermostat is getting power, check and make sure your temperature settings haven’t been changed. Incorrect temperature settings could be caused by children, the thermostat resetting, or simply buttons being pressed accidentally. Make sure all your settings are right before moving on from your thermostat.
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Install a New Filter in Your Furnace or AC: If you have a furnace or AC, then you know that one of the most important things you can do to maintain it is to regularly change the filter. A new filter will help your unit run more efficiently and help to improve the quality of the air in your home. While you may be able to replace air filters yourself, it is best to have an expert perform the maintenance. An HVAC service technician will be able to properly maintain your system and spot potential issues when they change the filter.
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Check all Vents for Obstructions: If certain portion of your home isn’t getting heated or cooled very well, it is important to check your vents, as obstructions could be causing the problem. Humans often cover vents in order to defuse them or to prevent cold, cold air from entering the vent. However, coverings can hinder airflow, which can lead to freezing in your attic.
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Turn off the AC: While in the summer months, if your AC has been running on for an extended amount of time, it is possible for components to freeze preventing them from properly cooling. If your air conditioner doesn’t seem to be cooling, turn off the air conditioner if you can. If you have a fan, turn it off and wait a few minutes before attempting to use it again. If this doesn’t fix it, or the problem occurs frequently, it is time to call in the professional.
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Check Furnace and AC Wires: Sometimes, wires get damaged or disconnected during the conversion of a copper wire into an AC unit. This is more common for outdoor wiring where exposed wires can be damaged by landscaping equipment. If your system won’t start, it can’t hurt to check. Make sure that you are careful and don’t handle potentially damaged or exposed wires, as they could carry the risk of shock.
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Know When to Call in the HVAC Service Experts: Sometimes, it is better to leave that critical issue up to the professionals. The reason is that the professionals should have the energy, the expertise and the experience to properly diagnose and solve the issue. If the cause of a problem is unclear or the fix is complex, it’s time to call in the experts. Many heating and air conditioning problems require extensive training to fix and trying to do it yourself could lead to damage and even voided warranties.
Best American HVAC has years of experience diagnosing, fixing, and maintaining HVAC systems. Our team of experts would appreciate the opportunity to help you with your heating and cooling needs. Our technicians are certified, trained, and highly experienced. Contact us today!