5 Things to Check Before Calling for HVAC Service

It’s never a bad time to call your HVAC service team if you need help. But, at the same time, it’s always a good idea to know what is happening with your system first. In some cases, the problem may be a simple fix --a simple fix you can tackle on your own. A residential heating and cooling system can stop working or stop working efficiently for many reasons.

This checklist can help you to tackle some of the most common problems and concerns. Either you can fix the problem yourself, or you can let us know what you’ve found which helps us get your system running in a fraction of the time. Here’s what to check.

It is not uncommon for the circuit breakers to become overloaded and flip. If you have an older system, you may have a fuse burn out. In either case, you want to make sure there is power going to the HVAC system. If the system burned out and tripped the circuit breakers, you will need to check this first.

Find the fuse box in your home. Determine if the breaker for your HVAC system (the air conditioner and furnace may be on different breakers) and flip them back. If this does not work, call for service.

The thermostat is a common problem source for HVAC systems. You will find that the settings on it can be changed easily, causing the system not to turn on or work properly when you need it to. Take a look at the current settings.

• Is the system on?
• What is the temperature set at?
• What is the temperature it is reading?
• If you adjust the temperature, does the system turn on?
• Does the thermostat have power? They may require a battery replacement from time-to-time.

Take a look at the condenser for your air conditioner outside. Sometimes, the biggest problem is that it is clogged with debris. Because this is where the system is pulling in air, if it is clogged with dust, debris, grass, leaves, or other material, it cannot do that.

Clear this away. Remove anything from the system that you can without removing the cover. It is possible to wash down the system as well. This can help to pull some of the dirt out. If this does not cause the system to turn on, call for help.

Perhaps your system is running, but the temperature in the home is not improving. This can happen because there is not enough air coming into the system. Take a look at your filters. If they are dirty and clogged, they cannot work properly, and that is going to make it very hard for your system to work. Replace them (and try to do so every four to six weeks) to ensure they are able to pull in enough air.

Though it is less common, it's possible that one of the switches that send power to your system was flipped. There are switches, on most systems, next to the indoor air handler or the outdoor unit. Someone may have accidentally flipped the switch. All you have to do is flip it back to get your system back to working again.

When you can’t fix the problem, We are here to get your HVAC system back up and running quick.