HVAC Problem Check List
If you're having a problem with your system, try these simple tips.
My air conditioner is not cooling
Check for signs: |
Possible cause: |
Possible remedy: |
Check for open doors or windows in your home. |
If you find open doors or windows... |
Close them! Cool air may be escaping through them. |
Check to see if your thermostat is on, and what temperature it's set at. |
If your thermostat is turned off or set incorrectly... |
Turn on and/or reset thermostat. |
Check your home's circuits and fuse box. |
If you have an open circuit breaker or burned-out fuse... |
Switch on circuit or replace fuse. |
Hold your hand in front of your indoor vents. Do you feel air, but air that hasn't been cooled? |
This usually means that your indoor unit is running, but not your outdoor unit. If this is the case... |
You might have a frozen line between your fan and compressor. Temporary solution: Turn off your thermostat and leave it off for 1-3 hours. Permanent solution: Contact your dealer. |
My heating unit is not warming up my home
Check for signs: |
Possible cause: |
Possible remedy: |
Do you have a new or newly remodeled home? Was any work done on your fuel lines recently? |
Check to see if your gas has been turned off. If this is the case... |
Have gas turned back on. |
Check to see if your thermostat is on, and what temperature it's set at. |
If your thermostat is turned off or set wrong... |
Turn on and/or reset thermostat. |
Check your heating unit. |
If the unit is switched off or unplugged... |
Check your user care manual. |
Check your heating unit. |
If your safety device is open... |
Contact your dealer. |
Check your owner's manual to determine what kind of component failure it might be. |
If you can determine what kind of component failure you're dealing with... |
Call your dealer. The info you've determined from the owner's manual will prevent your dealer from having to make multiple visits. |
There is no air flowing out of my vents
Check for signs: |
Possible cause: |
Possible remedy: |
Check to see if there is any air coming through your vent. |
Your indoor blower may not be operating. If this is the case... |
Contact your dealer. |
Check around your outdoor unit. |
If there are any leaves, hedges or property walls butting up against it... |
Your system may have frozen up due to a dirty coil. Make sure your outdoor unit has 1' of clearance all around it. Contact your dealer for repair. |
Check the filters in each of your system components. |
If any of your filters are dirty... |
Determine which of your filters is a problem. Consult your manual to clean or replace it. Or call your dealer to do this for you. |
My utility bills are unusually high
Check for signs: |
Possible cause: |
Possible remedy: |
Consider whether you have new appliances (e.g. a hot tub or pool heater) that might be using lots of power. |
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It may not be your heating and cooling system that's raising your bills. |
Check to see if your local utility company had a recent rate increase. |
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It may not be your heating and cooling system that's raising your bills. |
Check to see that your system is cycling constantly. Check to see that your thermostat is reaching its set value. |
If your system IS cycling constantly, and IS reaching its set point... |
This usually means that your system's working fine, but your local temperatures are constantly in the extreme, so your system's working extra hard to meet that set point. |
-- |
If your system IS cycling constantly, but ISN'T reaching its set point... |
Contact your dealer. |
My system runs constantly all the time
Check for signs: |
Possible cause: |
Possible remedy: |
Check the set point on your thermostat. |
If your thermostat is set unusually low (summer) or unusually high (winter)... |
Your system may be trying to reach a set point that is too extreme. Reset thermostat or contact your dealer. |
My system is making a noise
Check for signs: |
Possible cause: |
Possible remedy: |
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Contact your dealer. |
One or more of my system's component is failing regularly
Check for signs: |
Possible cause: |
Possible remedy: |
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Contact your dealer. |
HVAC Problem Check List ~ (printable PDF file)