The purpose of an HVAC is to make your inside environment comfortable. To keep your HVAC system as an afterthought, schedule routine professional maintenance to avoid surprises. But even a well-maintained system works – until it does not. Before making a service call for HVAC repair, it makes sense to troubleshoot your air conditioning, heating, or ventilation issues first.
To identify some common problems, start by relying on your senses – well, at least four of them:
• Does your home feel warmer or colder than expected?
• Are you hearing unusual noises?
• Do you smell something strange?
• Are you seeing water, ice, or debris that you should not?
Check your thermostat
Thermostats control the temperature of most systems. Are your thermostat settings correct? After assuring the right programming, next check power sources. Batteries dissipate, circuit breakers trip, or wires (especially on outside units) may need to be replaced.
Inspect belts, motors, panels, and ductwork
When you hear a rattling or banging noise, it might be that a loose component needs to be tightened. A hissing sound might be a refrigerant leak. Grinding or squealing sounds might indicate a frayed belt or loose bearings.
Some of these are simple fixes while others might require more expertise. Still, identifying or narrowing potential problems is the first step towards resolution.
Identify the source of unpleasant odors
What type of unusual odor are you detecting? If it is a burning smell, it could be an electrical issue. If it is a rotten smell, it could be rotting organic items in your ductwork. A musty odor might indicate mildew or mold that needs remediation.
Water around the indoor unit, ice on the outdoor unit, debris clogging ducts or filters
Leaves or branches blocking the vents on the outside unit can reduce performance. Inside your home, dirty filters can reduce air quality, and reduce airflow from your vents. Simply brush or wash away the debris to restore airflow and improve cooling.
Likewise, remove obstructions such as plants or furniture away from vents to maintain your unit’s efficiency. Clogged or obstructed ducts and filters impair performance.
Water leaks around the indoor unit could indicate damaged seals or connections. In wintry weather, snow or ice could cover an outside unit. Ice buildup on evaporator coils might be due to a refrigerant issue. Thaw out the unit.
Refer to your owner’s manual or search the model number online to learn how to reset the system. Should frost form again in a relatively brief time, call a technician for HVAC repair.
Contact Thermodynamix
Sometimes, your HVAC challenge requires more than a simple fix. If so, it may be time to call an expert technician who can inspect, tune up or repair your system. Thermodynamix serves clients in Westchester, Putnam, Fairfield, and Rockland County. Do not risk voiding your warranty or causing further damage to your unit. Call us on 914-909-4108 for emergency repairs or scheduled services.
Complex issues with furnaces, AC units, and heat pumps require extensive training to identify and address problems. Other times, you may not be able to directly observe that your system is inefficient – until you see a shocking energy bill. You can extend the useful life of your HVAC system through routine maintenance.
Besides issues with thermostats, refrigerant, blocked filters, faulty motors, worn-out belts, or loose parts, you might suffer from factors external to your HVAC. For example, you may have poor insulation in parts of your house. It might make sense for you to use sun-blocking blinds on big windows. Your HVAC may not be sized properly for your space, or you might benefit from a zoned HVAC system to save on energy bills.
Whether it is design, installation or HVAC repair, our goal at Thermodynamix is to provide the best customer service by providing complete answers promptly and fairly. If you want to get a sense of what it is like to work with us, read our Google reviews or talk to our associates.
