When it comes to diagnosing HVAC problems, it's important to take a systematic approach. The first step is to determine if there has been a power outage. If the vents are open and unobstructed, you'll want to take a look at the air conditioning unit's condenser to check if it's dirty or blocked. You should be able to easily locate the capacitor, as it's the square (and sometimes noisy) part of the system located outside your house somewhere.
Sometimes, tall grass and weeds can grow in and around the condenser and block it, causing ice to form on the coils. To prevent this from happening, you can clean the condenser unit with a garden hose by directing a stream of water downward along the outside of the grill that surrounds the unit. When airflow is restricted, the HVAC unit can also experience short cycles, causing the unit to shut down before completing the heating or cooling cycle. Most often, this problem is easily solved by cleaning or changing the air filter.
Another possible cause of short cycles is frozen coils. Check the evaporator coils, which are normally found in the air handler. If they have ice or frost, turn off the unit to allow the coils to thaw. If it's neither of the first two, a faulty thermostat that doesn't get the temperature reading right could be to blame for the short cycle.
This is often the case when the room doesn't seem to reach the desired comfort levels. Due to the more complex nature of this particular problem, it is recommended to leave the work to professionals. A more subtle sign of a broken thermostat is when the ambient temperature doesn't match. Now, if your house is divided into zones, then temperature differences between rooms are normal.
However, if your home isn't divided into zones, fluctuating temperatures in different parts of the house could indicate a faulty thermostat. Be sure to check your filters. Dirty filters are one of the main reasons why things are going wrong in your air conditioner, and they're a very simple solution. However, if you don't change or clean them regularly, bigger problems can arise in the future.
It's a good idea to have additional filters on hand. Depending on the type of filter you have, it must be changed periodically. For example, 1- to 2-inch filters should be changed every one to two months. Larger filters (4 to 5 inches) should be changed every six to twelve months.
Again, that's an average standard but if you're having problems with your HVAC system, checking and changing your filter if necessary is a good starting point. If you suspect mold growth, check your HVAC unit for leaks and be sure to seal them. Always choose trusted HVAC experts because they have experience treating any type of HVAC problem at a reasonable cost. Dirty filters can obstruct airflow, making your HVAC system work harder and causing wear and tear.
While professional assistance is important for complex problems, having basic knowledge about how to troubleshoot your HVAC unit will allow you to tackle most minor issues on your own and save yourself from costly air conditioner repairs. Experienced HVAC technicians can examine your home and help you determine what type of new air conditioner would best suit your needs. Regular professional maintenance is essential for your HVAC system; however, even with proper maintenance it can still fail at an inconvenient time. To ensure that correct repairs are made and further damage is prevented, have an HVAC specialist check and repair your unit.
The gradual approach and clear explanations make it easy for anyone to address common HVAC problems. It's important to routinely get professional maintenance for your HVAC system; however, even with proper maintenance it can still fail at an inconvenient time. Be sure to also consider beware of strange odors when planning to hire HVAC services as there aren't too many worse situations than letting your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system break down in those desperate times.
