Furnaces, air conditioners, and heat pumps are all important appliances. With time, each one of the systems may break down and may need to be repaired or replaced. Here are some basic troubleshooting tips.
Troubleshooting Your Furnace
Inspect the Furnace Filter
A dirty furnace filter can obstruct airflow, preventing the furnace from operating efficiently. Additionally, a clogged filter poses a fire hazard and increases the risk of premature breakdowns. Schedule annual furnace maintenance to inspect the filter. An HVAC technician can recommend the most suitable filter for your unit and lifestyle.
Address Thermostat Issues
A malfunctioning thermostat can disrupt your furnace’s operation. Ensure the thermostat has adequately charged batteries and is set to ‘heat’ with a temperature at least 5° higher than the room’s current temperature. During maintenance, the technician may clean dust and dirt from the furnace’s metal coils and contact plates. Check the thermostat’s location to prevent false readings from ovens, lamps, or other heat sources.
Examine the Furnace’s Switch and Electrical Panel
If the furnace fails to operate, check the furnace switch near the unit. Ensure it’s on. If the issue persists, consult an HVAC technician to inspect the electrical panel. The problem might be as simple as resetting a breaker switch, or it could indicate more significant issues preventing power delivery to your furnace.
Evaluate the Furnace Flame, Pilot Light, and Gas Valve
The furnace flame should appear blue with a possible yellow tip, indicating safe and efficient fuel combustion. If the flame exhibits colors like yellow, purple, green, or red, turn it off and contact our team. Avoid attempting to adjust the flame color independently.
If the furnace flame extinguishes, relight it. However, if you detect a gas odor, turn your furnace off immediately. Evacuate the premises, contact the gas company and fire department, and contact an HVAC professional for repairs.
Troubleshooting Your Air Conditioner
Few things are as frustrating as an air conditioning unit that doesn’t work during the hot summer months. There are a few steps you can take to try to identify why it’s not working.
Check the Thermostat
The number of air conditioning troubleshooting issues that are simply a matter of the thermostat being set to “heat” instead of “cool” is surprising. Many people forget to make this change after the winter months, leading to a lot of frustration.
Look For Tripped Circuit Breakers
It’s possible that your air conditioner is not turning on because your circuit breakers were tripped as a result of overloading. By turning the electrical panel on and off again and then trying to run the AC a few minutes later, you can determine if this is the problem. If it’s not the circuit breaker or an issue with a fuse that needs to be replaced, contact an HVAC professional.
Check Low Refrigerant
If your AC unit is not cooling your home, it could be because there is not enough refrigerant. Refrigerant is what removes the heat and humidity out of the air, and it’s key to an effectively running AC unit. Your AC unit may need more refrigerant, but this is not something that you can do on your own. If there is low refrigerant, there is likely a leak somewhere in your system. An HVAC technician with the proper equipment can identify the source of the leak, repair it, and add more refrigerant.
Troubleshooting Your Heat Pump
Check the Thermostat’s Power Source
If your thermostat display is not on, the thermostat does not have power. It can be a matter of replacing old batteries with new ones, or it may be an issue with your home’s electrical circuit panel.
Check the Unit’s Power
There could be a problem with the power to other heat pump system components. These components have their own power switches and dedicated circuits.
Check the Thermostat’s Fan Settings
If the wrong temperature air comes from the vents inside your home, it could be an issue with the fan settings. Check the fan settings and ensure that the switch on the thermostat that controls them is set to “auto.” You don’t want it to be set to “on” because this causes the blower motor to run continuously, even between cooling cycles. With the auto setting, the fan is only going to run in conjunction with the cooling or heating cycle.
Expert HVAC Services in Greenville, South Carolina
At Tuck & Howell, Inc., we pride ourselves on doing the job right the first time. Our dedicated team of competent experts brings years of experience to every project. We are a Better Business Bureau-accredited business with an A+ rating and are proud to employ certified NATE technicians.
Our company services include HVAC installation, maintenance, and repair. We offer general plumbing services, indoor air quality, crawlspace encapsulation, ductwork, and sheet metal work as well. Contact Tuck & Howell, Inc. today, and see for yourself what it’s like to work with professionals.
