Check cooling and heating for proper operation
Confirm Power Is Being Used Correctly
Your HVAC system can’t work properly without power. If the power goes out, then you’re going to have a seriously bad time. Make sure that the main breaker is off and that the electricity that feeds your air conditioner is working. The same goes for the power that supplies your furnace. Make sure that nothing is tripped and that everything is on. If you have a gas furnace, make sure that there is gas flowing to the unit. It’s easy to forget about this step, but if you have an outdoor unit that is being fed by a gas line, you need to make sure that the line is still attached. Keep reading.
Test Heating / Cooling System Thermostat and Controls
This is a relatively self-explanatory test. While there are some units that allow you to adjust the temperature using a remote, there is usually some kind of manual dial or switch to adjust the temperature on the indoor unit. Properly without power local setting for the temperature. If the thermostat shows that the temperature is too low, or high, then you know where to make adjustments to keep it in good working order. On a few units, you’ll find a digital display that shows you the current temperature and the set point. You’ll also see an icon that represents the function of the unit. You can often tell what the function is by the icon. If the unit is defrosting or defrosting and warming, then the icon should be a pile of snow or ice. If it is heating, the icon should be a steamy cup of hot coffee. Make sure your indoor thermostat is set correctly and that you’re controlling the temperature using the correct setting. If it isn’t, then you can tweak it to work correctly.
Confirm Fan is Operating Properly
The air coming out of the vents of your unit should be coming out of the blower of your fan. If it isn’t, then something isn’t working correctly. The most common issue with fans is a broken belt. A belt can stretch out over time, but it can also snap if it’s under too much tension. If the fan is working, but the air isn’t moving the way it should, then it’s time for a little reverse. Take the outdoor unit off and let the air out. Then, take the indoor unit off and let the air in. This will move any debris and debris in the ducting to the fan. Then, put the outdoor unit back on and the indoor unit back on.
Test Air Filter
If your air filter is getting dirty, it’s time to change it out. This is one of those things that can easily go unnoticed. Over time, the filter will get gunky and become useless. If the filter is black, it is way too dirty. If it is grey or white, then it is probably ok. Depending on the size of the filter, you can usually hear the filter being changed. If you can’t hear it, don’t worry too much. Over time, the filter will probably get noisy enough to catch your attention. The filter is also usually visible to help you keep track of when it needs to be replaced.
Wrapping Things Up
Even with the best maintenance, things will break. If you’re lucky, you’ll break something that you can fix. If not, then it’s time to check out the system and make sure that it’s running properly. The sooner you get started, the sooner you’ll be enjoying those sweet cool air flows. It’s definitely worth the time and effort to keep your HVAC unit running smoothly. If your HVAC unit isn’t operating at peak performance all the time, then it’s time to check and see if everything is in working order. Whether you have a single-stage system or a two-stage unit, there are some pretty common issues that could be causing problems with your HVAC unit. View the next article.