Self-Diagnosing An A/C Unit Can Save Homeowners A Bundle On Service Calls

July 25, 2014

If there is one thing all homeowners fear it would be getting a bill for HVAC repairs or equipment replacements. Over time even the best of HVAC equipment brands can develop problems and need to be replaced. To determine if an air conditioner needs repairs homeowners can Diagnose HVAC Problems using a few simple troubleshooting tips.

If you come home and find the A/C Not Working there are a few important things to check before panicking. First and foremost, you will need to check the power supply to your HVAC system. Occasionally a breaker box of a home will get a power surge and the main breaker or individual breakers can shut off.

Since HVAC equipment uses larger amounts of electricity this equipment is often the target of power surges. By making sure all of the breakers are on, some repair calls can be avoided all together. Another power related issue homeowners discover while Troubleshooting Air Conditioning units are switches that were accidentally flipped or pressed off.

A switch located at the inside air unit, the outside air unit, as well as the switch in the water drip pan area can also be the cause of an air conditioner not working. If one of these switches are accidentally turned off, the unit will not work. Please always use caution when troubleshooting your HVAC unit to prevent injuries.

Another power issue could possibly be caused by dead batteries in the thermostat. If the batteries, switches, and breaker box are not the cause of a unit not working, a clogged drain may be the problem. First empty the water pan and then flush the drain line thoroughly.

When the drain line gets plugged up with sediments or debris it can shut the system down, flushing this line often fixes the problem entirely. A unit that has power but just does not seem to be pushing enough cold air could be a sign of dirty air filter. Dirty filters are easy to remedy, however, if none of these troubleshooting tips fix the problem, it will definitely be time to contact a professional HVAC company.


About The Author

Brody Pennell

Since 1945, Brody Pennell Heating & Air Conditioning is the committed to helping homeowners in the greater Los Angeles area experience total home comfort. In 2021, the readers of the Los Angeles Times voted Brody Pennell the Best HVAC Company in the area.

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