The HVAC system in your home is one of the most important mechanical systems you have to maintain to ensure that they run as efficiently as possible, but it’s easy to forget about them when you’re busy with work and family.
Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do yourself to troubleshoot these issues and get them resolved quickly before they become more serious issues that require the help of an HVAC contractor in order to fix.
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Check the Air Filters
One of the best things you can do to prevent your air conditioner from breaking down is to check the air filters. Dirty or clogged air filters will create resistance that takes more energy to overcome, which can lead to a breakdown.
For optimal performance, change the filter every 3 months or so, depending on how often it is used and how dirty it gets. For example, if your system is due a heater repair, setting up automatic filter changes can be very helpful in maintaining optimum airflow in the home.
Clean Indoor Vents and Ducts
It’s important to remain updated with your HVAC system. That means making sure that you’re regularly cleaning the vents and ducts in your home. If they get clogged, they can’t work as well as they should, which will lead to a high electric bill
and CO2 emissions.
A professional can do it for you, but here are some DIY tips:
- Use your vacuum cleaner hose attachment or compressed air duster to clean out any vents near furniture or walls.
- Spray the inside of the vent grills on the floor and ceiling with water before vacuuming them. This will help clean the dirt, so it’s easy to vacuum away.
Check the Power Supply of Your System
The first thing to check if your air conditioner isn’t working is the power supply. Check the circuit breaker panel and make sure all the switches are in the ON position. If a breaker switch is tripped, flip it back to ON and wait a few minutes before flipping it off again.
Check to make sure your thermostat is set to either cool or heat mode and that the temperature on the thermostat matches the environment of your room. If the issue still persists, you will have to call plumbers to check the issue.
Clean the Outdoor Unit
One of the most common reasons an HVAC system fails to work is that the outside air unit has not been cleaned. The outdoor unit of your heating and air conditioning system filters dust and other particles from the air, but it will only work efficiently if it is clean.
Take time to inspect the unit and make sure there are no leaves or bugs in it. If you find any obstructions, remove them immediately, so they do not clog up the system’s blades or get caught in moving parts.
Following these tips, you will be able to troubleshoot any issues in your HVAC system by yourself. However, if you are not being able to tackle the problem, you will have to call a plumbing contractor.