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HVAC units are complex systems of carefully coordinated parts, including thermostats, switches, fans, ducts, pipes, and more. When a problem arises, it can be difficult to pinpoint the exact point of origin. However, there are a few easy troubleshooting tips to help repair traditional HVAC units when there’s no air and repair technicians are not immediately available.
Step 1: Check the thermostat – The first thing anyone should do when their HVAC unit stops working is to ensure the thermostat is on. Someone else may have adjusted the thermostat without your knowledge or a power outage might have reset the temperature controls. Make sure everything is set right there and that there is power getting through to the controls. If there’s no power, there may be a short or another electrical problem between the HVAC unit and the thermostat. Call an electrician or professional HVAC technician to run tests on the electrical supply. AC Repair Bulverde here
Step 2: Check power – If the thermostat is set correctly and there’s power to those sensors, the next thing to do is to check its power supply. If a circuit breaker has been tripped or a fuse has blown, the breaker may need to be reset or the fuse replaced. Check the breakers first for anything irregular. If resetting the breaker does not restore power or if it trips again, there may be something more serious in the electrical system of the HVAC unit. Call a professional instead of trying to fix it yourself, as any tinkering can void warranties or cause more damage.
Step 3: Check the fans – if the power all seems to be working there may be a mechanical problem with the indoor fan. If the indoor fan isn’t working, no matter what the outdoor unit is doing, the air won’t get pushed through the HVAC system inside or provide any temperature relief. Try turning the thermostat setting to the on or fan on position. If the fan comes on with this setting but doesn’t work under cooling settings, there may be a problem with the temperature relays. This might require a new circuit board for the thermostat.
Step 4: Check for blockages – The outside HVAC unit may have a blocked condensing coil or fan. This can happen when leaves or other debris gather around the coil causing it to overheat, triggering a safety shutdown. Ensure the outside unit is properly cleared of debris, cleaning out any sticks or leaves that may have become wedged in the fan or around the coil. It is important that the unit is shut off before attempting to move anything from moving parts as the unit resuming motion could cause serious injury.
Step 5: Check filters – The air filters may have become clogged, preventing air from properly flowing from the outside to the inside. This is often the cause of decreased airflow when the unit still seems to turn on, but no air can be felt through the vents. It’s important to clean air filters several times yearly to prevent clogs. Cleaning the filters can also improve the quality of the air circulating through the house as any particles will be stopped from entering. These may or may not help restore proper functioning to a troubled HVAC system. If these troubleshooting tips do not resolve the issue, it may be necessary to call a professional HVAC technician to evaluate and fix the problem.