What is HVAC?
HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning – it is your heating and cooling system for your home or business. You need to keep it working correctly so that you are comfortable in whatever building you may be in. There are steps to make sure that there are no issues with your HVAC system, and they are listed below.
Troubleshooting Steps
There are many places online that can give you some great troubleshooting tips. This is one of them that can help you out: https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/12-things-to-check-before-you-call-an-hvac-tech/. Below are some other tips that you can try before calling a professional.
- Make Sure You Have Power
This is a simple step but is also necessary to make sure that your system is working. Make sure that there is power to your system, check the plug-in first. After that, check your breakers to make sure that they have not flipped. Turn the breaker off for a minute and then turn it back on.
- Reset Your System
There is a way to reset any HVAC system, see if you can find the method in your owner’s manual. Check online to see if you can find it there if you don’t have the paper version. As a last resort, you can always call a professional or check their website to see if they can help you out without making a house call. If this doesn’t work, check the next step on the list.
- Make Sure Furnace Door is Closed
If the door is not closed, it might not work because this is a protective measure to ensure that it is safe. Try closing the door tightly and then try to start your furnace again.
- Check for Thermostat Issues
The thermostat may have an issue allowing the HVAC system to not work. A bad thermostat will cause problems with the system, either making the system to come on too early, too late, or not at all. Make sure the thermostat has power, replacing batteries if necessary.
- Install New Filters in AC Unit or Furnace
Bad or dirty filters can lead to all kinds of problems for your HVAC system. If there is a dusty or musty smell coming from your vents, or if your system is not working as well as it should be, it may be that you need to change your filters. You can replace the filters yourself, but if you need more maintenance, call a professional.
- Turn Off Your Air Conditioner
If your air conditioning has been on for a while in the summer, it may have frozen components. Try turning off your system for a little bit, and then turn it back on to see if it works. If it does not work, consider calling the professionals.
- Check All Vents for Obstructions
Make sure that there is nothing in or around the vents in your home. If it is just one area of your home that is not heating or cooling, a vent may be obstructed. Make sure there is no excess dirt or dust in the vents, and make sure there is nothing in front of them.
- Check All the Wires for Your Air Conditioner or Furnace
Check to make sure that a wire has not broken, disconnected or otherwise damaged. This happens more often to the air conditioning units because they are usually outside the home and can be damaged by animals or from your mowers or weed eaters. If you see an issue, do not handle the wires on your own, call in a professional.
- Know When to Call a Professional
If none of these steps help you, it may be time to call a professional. If you find damage or just cannot find the problem, please contact a professional. There are some other suggestions about when to call a professional and get the help you need it. It will be safer for you in the long run and soon you will be in a more comfortable position.
These are just some of the steps to help you troubleshoot your HVAC system, but the most important thing that you can do is to call a professional if you cannot find the problem. Be safe and do not try to make any repairs that are too major. You also need to call a professional for routine maintenance and cleaning. Do not be afraid to call when you need to – it will be safer in the long run.
