Tips & Troubleshooting
What is your thermostat set on?
Verify that your thermostat is set to "Cool" for air conditioning or "Heat"
for heating, not "Off". Make sure the temperature selector is set lower than
room temperature for cooling or higher than room temperature for heating.
Did you check your circuit breakers?
Check all circuit breakers, fuses, and electrical disconnects. There should
be a circuit breaker or fuse for each unit located at your main electrical
panel. There should also be a disconnect box located at each of your indoor
(air handler) and outdoor (condenser) units. This disconnect box could
contain breakers, fuses, or simply be a means of shutting power off to the
unit.
Is your air filter clean?
Check your air filter. This may be located in a return grill within your
home or your air handler. Some homes may have more than one return grill. Be
sure to check all rooms.
Did you know?
- Do not move the thermostat setting up or down rapidly. Set the thermostat and leave it alone for at least three minutes before making another selection. Rapid movement of the temperature selector could trip a breaker, blow a fuse, or damage the compressor in your air conditioner.
- Close your drapes and blinds as much as possible, this lowers heat gain from sunlight and reduces operating time and energy costs.
- Keep all exterior doors and windows closed when operating your air conditioning system.
- Check the air filter for your air conditioner monthly. The filter should be changed if there is any dust accumulation.
- Air conditioning systems are designed to maintain comfort in your home, they are not designed to provide instant comfort. If your home is warm when you lower the thermostat setting, it may take several hours to cool the house down. Setting the thermostat lower does not increase the capacity of the unit, nor does it reduce the temperature of the air coming out of the vents. If the house is 80 degrees, it will take just as long to cool it to 75 degrees if the thermostat is set to 70 degrees as it will if the thermostat is set to 75 degrees.
- Make sure all supply and return grills are open and not blocked by furniture. If your air handler is located in a closet, do not use that closet for storage.
- Your air conditioning system makes some minor noises that are considered normal. These sounds include: refrigerant flowing through the piping (especially noticeable when the unit starts and stops); air noise from the indoor fan (loudest at the return); air compressor noise at the condensing unit; relays and contactors clicking as the unit starts and stops.
- Electric heaters produce a slight burning smell when first turned on, especially if they have not been used for a while. This is caused by dust that has accumulated on the element and usually last no more than 30 minutes.
- Heat pumps cannot heat your home instantly. They are designed to maintain the temperature in your home. If a cold front is forecasted, set your thermostat to heat and 70 degrees as soon as possible. Once your home reaches 65 degrees or below it will take many hours to raise the temperature.
- Heat pumps may have difficulty maintaining temperature when it is below 40 degrees outside.