What You Can DIY and When to Call an HVAC Contractor
As we get into the thick of summer, your air conditioner unit is working harder than it has all year. Because of this hard work, it may stumble sometimes.
Be aware of the following issues and be prepared with solutions. If you’ve got better things to do, quality HVAC contractor Custom Klimates is ready to step in and help.
Here are the most common issues your cooling system may be experiencing, how to troubleshoot them yourself, and when you need to call in an HVAC pro:
Common Issue #1: Your air conditioner won’t turn on
One of the more frustrating issues with your air conditioner is it just won’t turn on. This is often caused by a blown fuse, tripped circuit breaker or faulty thermostat.
The solution(s):
- Start by checking your thermostat to make sure it’s set to “cool” and not “off” or “heat.”
- Then try resetting the circuit breaker, and if it doesn’t work, you may need to replace your fuse.
- If those don’t solve the problem, check your condensate overflow tray. There may be excessive water in the tray. This can cause a sensor to switch off your unit when water is collected.
Common Issue #2: Your air conditioner turns on and no cold air comes out
If cool air isn’t being distributed throughout your home, even though your air conditioner is on, chances are something is blocking the airflow in your filters, registers or compressors.
Your refrigerant levels could also be low, which means heat and humidity aren’t being removed from the air efficiently.
The solution(s):
- Start by checking your thermostat to make sure it’s working correctly.
- Then check your condensor to see if it’s blocked by weeds or grass; clear if needed.
- Change your filter. We recommend checking it once a month and changing it as necessary. For most people this is every one to three months. Smokers, pet owners and those living in heavy pollen areas generally need to change or clean filters monthly.
- Check your outdoor compressor to see if it is running low on refrigerant. If so, this will require an HVAC professional.
Common Issue #3: Your air conditioner is making a clicking noise
Hearing clicking noises when you startup or shutdown your air conditioner is common. However, if the clicking is constant or ongoing, something is most likely wrong with your unit. This could be a sign of a malfunctioning thermostat or bigger electrical issues.
The solution(s):
- Start by turning your air conditioner unit off just to be on the safe side. Electrical dangers are no joke.
- Check the fan unit on the inside of your air handler to clear any obstructions possibly causing the clicking noise.
- Take a look at your outside compressor to see if a bolt has loosened, is completely removed or if your refrigerant tubing is loose.
- If you have a reason to believe the clicking noise is caused by an electrical problem, call an HVAC technician right away instead of trying to fix it yourself.
Common Issue #4: The temperature of the air throughout your home fluctuates.
Poor airflow or fluctuating temperatures between the rooms in your home typically means there is something wrong with your filters or ductwork.
They might be blocked, crimped, disconnected or torn. Tears within your ductwork are more common than you may think due to rodents, mold, incorrect set-up, etc. Ducts carry cool air from your HVAC system and distribute it throughout your home.
If there’s a tear in your ductwork, cool air escapes into the walls and leaves an unbalanced temperature throughout your home. As a result, your system has to work harder, increasing costs while decreasing comfort.
The solution(s):
- First, check your air filters to make sure they are clean. As mentioned above, we strongly recommend swapping them out or cleaning regularly.
- You can also inspect your ductwork for leaks by analyzing your ducts for loose connections, kinks and holes.
- If you do find they are damaged, you most likely will need to call in an HVAC professional to seal them.
Proper maintenance and investing in a service plan with your HVAC professional are the best ways to avoid issues with your air conditioner in the future. If you’re unable to troubleshoot your HVAC system, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re happy to help! Call today!