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HVAC Troubleshooting for Homeowners

If you find yourself in a home that is uncomfortably warm in the summer, or too cool in the winter there are 5 simple areas to check first that most homeowners can do on their own. These troubleshooting tips can help you with simple malfunctions. Any problems outside of these 5 HVAC troubleshooting tips will be a reason to call in your trusted San Gabriel Valley HVAC contractor from Accurate Heating Plumbing & Air.

 

Replace Filters. The unsung heroes of a comfortably cool home are the air filters. When they are replaced regularly, they can do the job of filtering dust, pollen, pet dander, and other small particles out of the air that you and your family breathe. They also help your HVAC unit work efficiently to make your home the desired temperature. Without changing your air filters regularly, the filters get clogged and prevent your HVAC unit from warming or cooling your home properly. The good news is that replacing your air filters is a simple task and does not require any previous experience.

 

Check Thermostat. If you notice your home not cooling or heating as you’d like, check your thermostats in the house. The unit itself may not be working and you can check it by adjusting the temperature setting on your unit and noticing if the HVAC unit kicks on. If it does not adjust accordingly in a reasonable amount of time (say within a minute or 2) the battery inside the thermostat may need replacing. If that doesn’t work, it might be time for a new thermostat.

 

Confirm Power. Sometimes, a quick check of your circuit breaker panel can confirm that your HVAC unit isn’t working because there is no power going to it anymore. While the thermostat unit has a battery inside it to keep the panel running in the case of a power outage, the HVAC unit itself cannot work without a power source. A switch of the circuit breaker might be all you need to get back up and running. If the whole house is out of power, you will need to wait until the power is restored for the unit to kick back on.

 

Clear Unit Space. Depending on how your house is set up, an outside unit will need some attention throughout the year. If your unit has collected branches, leaves, dirt and debris, they may be keeping your fan from running. Take some time to clean up whatever has accumulated on and around your HVAC condenser unit. 

 

Check Vents. It can be easy to forget that you have vents inside the home in each room when furniture or other items obstruct them. These items don’t just obstruct the vents though, they also limit the circulation of the air throughout your home. If you’re noticing your home is not cooling or heating as well as you’d like, try to clear the space around each vent as well. Some of the most common things obstructing vents are area rugs and furniture which you may want to consider moving somewhere else. 

 

A basic understanding of these 5 areas related to the HVAC unit can help you fix what you can, and call in the professionals as soon as it’s needed. This will help you reach the goal of having a comfortable home due to your HVAC unit working efficiently and properly throughout the year. So whenever that is not happening, you now know the 5 most common and simple ways to troubleshoot, and who to call when it’s time for reliable, accurate and professional help.

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