You depend on your HVAC system to keep your Harrisburg home at the perfect temperature. Sometimes, however, your HVAC system may malfunction for one reason or another. Rather than allowing your house to become uncomfortable, though, there are steps you can take to troubleshoot what’s wrong with your HVAC system and, in some cases, fix the problem yourself. Here are some smart ways to troubleshoot your HVAC system:
Isolate the Problem
Since there are components of your HVAC system throughout your home, the first step in troubleshooting is isolating which component is having the problem. A problem could be in the compressor, condenser, ductwork, blower, thermostat, or some other area.
One good way to isolate an issue is to run your system without the air conditioner or heat on. If you can feel air moving through your home, this eliminates the ductwork and the blower motor. Other similar procedures can be followed to isolate other components.
Looks Like Trouble
There are plenty of HVAC components that you can’t see, but those that you can see can help troubleshoot potential problems. For example, if you’re having a problem with your air conditioner, you can head outside to see if the refrigerant pipe is covered in frost. If it is, you know your system is likely frozen up and is the culprit behind your troubles. Carefully inspect all visible components of your system to look for anything that’s out of the ordinary.
Start With Simple
To heat or cool air, the first step is for the air to pass through an air filter. This removes most dust particles to prevent them from clogging the internal components of your HVAC system. As simple as this component is, it’s important to begin your troubleshooting here because this is also one of the most common causes of problems.
If a furnace filter is clogged, your entire system could suffer as a result. Therefore, before you get into more complicated matters, make sure the simple items are taken care of first.
Out of Reach
In some cases, you’ll find that your troubleshooting efforts, no matter how thorough, don’t correct the underlying issue. When that occurs, you’ll want to contact HB McClure so that we can perform a thorough inspection to find and correct the problem. Our team offers a variety of heating, air, and plumbing services. Contact HB McClure today to see how we can help you.