When your HVAC system stops working it can be very stressful and cause great discomfort. For most issues it is beneficial to have a professional come out and repair the unit or address the issue, but sometimes you might be able to spot an issue on your own. Here are some things to check first before you make the call to your trusted HVAC technician- like those at Dove AC.
Check Your AC Filter
Sticking to your schedule when changing your AC filters (either monthly or quarterly) can make a big difference- not just on the performance of your unit, but on its lifespan as well. Sometimes when life gets stressful these things can fall between the cracks. If you think there is a chance you may have missed a filter change or cleaning it may benefit you and skip the unexpected AC repair service.
Make Sure The Thermostat Is Set Properly
Many thermostats have settings that will have your unit run on a schedule. It is very easy to set them on accident. If you notice your unit is acting funny or is unresponsive when you are setting it to a new temperature make sure it is not due to the settings. There also may be some confusion when setting your unit to Auto or On. These terms will refer to how the fan will run. If set to auto, your AC unit will only kick on to bring your home to the desired temperature. If you find that your energy bills are higher than normal or that your unit always sounds like its running, you may have the unit set to On. This will cause the fan in your unit to run at all times- blowing warm or cold air when needed and more neutral air when it is running in between those times. There are pros and cons to setting your unit one way or the other, so be sure to set it to meet your personal preferences.
Defrost your Unit
If you see visible ice on the unit or hear a hissing sound when it’s running, chances are something may be frozen. This happens frequently when your AC is trying to keep up during the hotter months of the year. It may sound like a nightmare to do based on the temperatures, but it may be a good idea to turn your unit off for a little while to let it defrost. If you can, try and do this when you can spend some time away from home so you aren’t forced to deal with the heat. There can be simple causes to this like clogged air filters, so now is a good time to remind you that proper care and maintenance of your unit is important! Allowing your unit to defrost won’t always resolve the issue completely, but there is a chance that you can prevent some further damage by doing so.
Open your vents
Do you find that one of the rooms of your home just isn’t getting cool like the rest of the house? It is possible that the vent in the room is closed. Check your vents to make sure they are in the open position.
Check The Circuit Breaker
If there is a chance the breakers are tripped, then your AC unit will not be receiving power, thus will not be able to run. Check your breaker box and make sure the switches are in the on setting before assuming there is an issue with your unit.
All in all, calling in a company you trust when you are having issues with your air conditioner is always a wise decision, but taking the time to check your filter or breakers can save you an unneeded trip. What is most important for the health of your unit is to stick to your maintenance schedule, and be sure to schedule your annual maintenance checkups. AC units always tend to malfunction when we need them the most, so don’t suffer through the heat wave, pick up the phone and call DoveAC right away if you are having trouble.