Tremendous Tips for Troubleshooting Your Air Conditioner

Depending on where you live and the climate, your air conditioner might be the most important gadget in your house. You use it frequently, and the last thing you need is for it to break down. A repairman will cost you a lot of money. But did you know you might be able to troubleshoot your air conditioning unit yourself? 

One of the most common issues is your AC blowing out hot air when you want cold air. In some AC thermostats the furnace heats the air before blowing it out. These thermostats are called “direct expansion furnaces.”

In some cases, the problem is too great to fix on your own. You will have to call a professional HVAC contractor. Something may be seriously wrong with your furnace or HVAC control system.

Fixing it Yourself

In other instances, you can try troubleshooting the problem yourself. First, ensure your thermostat has a backlight. Furthermore, make sure the furnace power switch is on so that the lights are illuminated. 

The furnace also has a delayed buzzer in case the thermostat doesn’t detect the temperature rise when your house needs it. If the thermostat senses that there is a temperature rise, it is designed to shut down so that the furnace will not run. So, after about five minutes, turn it back on.

You should also check the ductwork for anything that needs to be repaired. If the furnace turns on, the ductwork might have a line blockage.

Be advised that if the furnace is noisy, it could mean either the air filter is defective or the blower motor is bad. If the furnace control and thermostat are working properly, you will not have these problems. 

Too Much Air in the Furnace

If the furnace is noisy and the thermostat is not controlling the temperature correctly, it may mean that there is too much air in the furnace. To remedy this, push the sensing switch for more air. The furnace should then start up again normally. If not, it might be time to call in the pros. 

Further Tips for Fixing a Problem Furnace

• If your furnace operates properly, but still seems noisy or not cold enough, try adding additional air registers, or installing another furnace.
• To fix a loud furnace thermostat, replace it with a newer one.
• To fix a noisy furnace blower, check the blower motor for wear.
• If your furnace is sputtering or making a lot of noise, clean out the blower, which can be done by removing the fan cover and making sure that the motor is not stuck to the blower ducts.
• Clean out the filter by either sliding it out and then back in the furnace, or by removing the filter from the slide doors.

Before calling a professional, try out these methods. You might learn that you are more handy than you thought.