Your heating and cooling system is complex and when it malfunctions, it’s completely natural to freak out a little bit. Not only does it adversely affect the comfort of your home, it could mean a pretty costly repair or even a replacement. But sometimes the root cause of what’s ailing your system can be deceptively simple. A clogged filter, worn-out batteries in your thermostat, a blocked vent, or another easy-to-fix issue may be the culprit. The good part – you can often take care of these things yourself and keep your HVAC system chugging right along for the summer.
Fix #1: Change or Clean Dirty Filter
By now, you already know how important it is to replace your air filter regularly. But if you find your system not to be operating properly, the first thing you should do is take a look at your air filter. A clogged filter prevents airflow meaning that the cool air isn’t able to be distributed throughout the home. In the summer time, condensation leaks can occur if the filter and system are too clogged with dirt to operate properly.
Your fix for this is to turn off your unit, replace the filter with a clean new one, turn the AC back on, and give it a couple of hours to adjust and cool off. A dirty filter causes your system to work harder to perform the same amount of work and drives up your energy costs, meaning more wear and tear on your system and a shortened lifespan.
Fix #2: Wake Up Your Thermostat
Occasionally, you may find that the root of the problem lies in your thermostat. Here’s how to check: make sure your thermostat is set to the desired settings, and any programming is correct and current. It may sound obvious, but make certain that you are in a/c mode for summer. After ensuring that everything is where it should be, try replacing the batteries. While you are doing that, be sure to look inside the battery housing to make sure there is no dust and debris that might be clogging it or broken wires. If you find loose or broken wires, or need any assistance at all, now is the time to call your MSCO HVAC expert to perform a more thorough inspection and repair.
Fix #3: Unblock Your Vents
The vents in your walls, floors, and ceilings are an essential element of your HVAC system; they deliver the heated and cooled air from the place of production, through the ductwork, and into the individual rooms of your home. In some systems, they can be controlled or closed manually to adjust the amount of heated or cooled air that’s being sent into the room but you should make sure that the individual vents are not being blocked. This could not only impede the airflow to that specific room but it can also put extra pressure on the duct system. Keeping vents clear and open will help make sure that you stay cool and comfortable all summer long.
Fix #4: Check Your Power Status
If nothing is running at all with regards to your HVAC system, it could actually be a wider problem with the electricity in your home. At this point you will want to check to make sure that your entire house has power. Checking the breaker panel to assure that everything is as it should be would also be a good idea. Also, homes with gas furnaces may have an emergency cut off switch. If this switch has accidently been turned off, the system may not operate. If everything checks out electrical wise, there may be more complicated issues. Which brings us to our last fix…
Fix #5: Call in the Big Guns
The majority of HVAC failures are caused by mechanical problems and these fixes are best left to the pros meaning you should not attempt them. MSCO is ready, willing, and able to help with any home comfort problem you my encounter – big or small. As a homeowner, your best bet is to opt for a maintenance package and have an MSCO technician come and check your heating and cooling system twice a year. Curious as to what the technicians do during these visits? Check out this article.
