How Repair Specialists Troubleshoot Your HVAC System
Your home’s heating and cooling systems are vital to your family’s comfort and health. A well-maintained and efficient system is essential to keeping your family safe and utility bills low. However, heating and cooling systems are specially designed and typically too complex for a homeowner to work to troubleshoot and repair when things go wrong.
Fortunately, there are tips from HVAC professionals that can help you understand your system and understand how they evaluate your system when you are in need of air conditioning repair.
Always Check Your Thermostat First
The first thing an HVAC specialist will do is check your thermostat, which is easily something you can do on your own. Sometimes, the reason your HVAC system isn’t running is due to a setting in the thermostat.This is typical around changing seasons as occupants in the home are switching between heating and cooling. Oftentimes, the solution is as simple as switching between heating and cooling modes or maybe just verifying that the thermostat is switched to the “on” position.
Another common problem with thermostats is batteries going dead. In newer homes, many thermostats get wired into the HVAC system and don’t require batteries. However, in older homes, many thermostats aren’t hardwired with power and thus require a battery.
A homeowner can verify this by popping off the faceplate and replacing the battery before they call a technician. It is a good practice to get into the habit of changing this battery on a regular basis, such as annually when you replace smoke detector batteries.
Routine Air filter Replacement
Changing your HVAC system’s air filter is the single most important thing you can do to protect your family and your mechanical equipment. Filtration pulls dust, allergens, and toxins out of your indoor environment as your system runs. The added benefit to cleaning up the air you breathe is that it also keeps the mechanical components of your air conditioner clean as well. When filters become clogged they force the system to work harder to distribute air around your home. This causes unnecessary stress on your system.
This is the second thing a technician will check when called. Dirty filters cause a loss of efficiency and also reduce the degree of comfort felt by the home’s occupants. Homeowners should aim to change their filters twice a year, depending on environmental factors like smoking or pets.
Most HVAC service companies also offer a filter service to take the hassle out of system maintenance. If you choose to change filters yourself, always buy new filters since they are not made to be cleaned and reused. They are fairly cheap and will protect and prolong the life of your system.
Protect Your Unit From Grime Buildup
When filters become clogged or compromised they can allow dust and grime to get into your ductwork and the mechanical parts of your system. This reduces the heating and cooling efficiency of your system’s components that can lead to repair cost and higher utility bills.Dirty air filters contribute to indoor air pollution that builds up on the inside of your ducts and exposes your family to allergens. The buildup can also lead to mold growth in your ducts that could present a health hazard to your family every time you system cycles on.
Fortunately, routine maintenance can prevent this from ever becoming a problem. Furthermore, if you suspect this is a problem, ducts and coils can be cleaned to remove this threat and restore the health of your home.
About Chris Wilson Plumbing & Heating Repair Inc
Chris Wilson Plumbing & Heating Repair Inc has been serving the Seaside area since 1999. They offer full service on all plumbing and central HVAC needs from routine service to repair. With a strong commitment to customer service, they are available 24 hours a day for all commercial or residential needs.
