Homeowners often face challenges in maintaining their HVAC system, from minor issues like thermostat calibration to more serious ones like refrigerant leaks.

Keeping your AC running efficiently doesn’t have to be complicated. Simple things like changing air filters and removing blockages from your vents can go a long way toward keeping your system running smoothly.

Check Your Thermostat

Your thermostat is the brains behind your home heating and cooling system. If it malfunctions, it could result in your AC or furnace not turning on or operating correctly.

You can check your thermostat to see if it’s a problem. Your first step is to check your breaker box and ensure your thermostat’s breaker is in the on position. If not, flip it over. This should restore power to your thermostat. Next, you’ll want to check your wires.

Check Your Filters

One of the most overlooked AC maintenance tasks is changing your filter. A dirty filter restricts airflow, which can cause the unit to work overtime, leading to higher energy bills and a shorter lifespan.

You can check if you’re due for a new filter by looking for a dirty one or noting an increase in dust around your vents. Shut off your unit before removing the access panels or your old filter. Replace the filter with a clean one, following any instructions printed on it.

Check Your Connections

Learning more about your air conditioning system and how it works is a great way to increase its lifespan and performance. By identifying common AC problems and troubleshooting them, you can save yourself money and time by addressing them before they become more severe issues requiring the help of AC repair Garland. This guide can help you do just that. It provides an overview of regular HVAC maintenance, common AC issues, and steps to take to resolve them.

Check Your Wiring

Many AC electrical problems stem from wiring issues. This is because large appliances like air conditioners draw a substantial amount of current from the main circuit breaker, and these wires are often exposed to the elements.

If your AC constantly trips the breaker, it could pull too much power and cause a short circuit. This can cause damage to your equipment and pose a fire hazard for your home.

Before calling a professional, check your breaker box and ensure the breaker switch for your air conditioner is in position.

Check Your Compressor

The compressor is the heart of an air conditioner, and it’s essential to watch for signs that it’s beginning to fail. This could include high-pitched squeals or the grinding sound of metal-on-metal.

If you hear these noises, turn off your AC and unplug it. Use a multimeter to the continuity (OL) setting to check your compressor for a shorted motor. Connect the red lead of the multimeter to the compressor and the black information to the ground. The ohm reading should read infinity.

Check Your Ductwork

Leaky ducts can cause many problems, including increased energy bills. They can also prevent the distribution of conditioned air to all areas of your home.

Check all the sections of ductwork you can access. Look for obvious gaps, tears, and disconnections. You should also check for areas where duct tape has been affixed, which is a sign that they’ve been patched before with something less permanent.

If you see any signs, contact an HVAC professional to inspect and repair thoroughly. They can use permanent sealants to fix any leaks.

Check Your Motor

If your AC fan is slow, this indicates a problem with the motor. The motor powers the fans that blow air across your evaporator coils, converting refrigerant from a hot gas into a cool liquid that gets blown back into your home through the ducts.

If the fan motor isn’t working correctly, it can cause other problems with your air conditioning system, including frozen evaporator coils. This can lead to more expensive repairs.

A technician can do a continuity test on the capacitor’s windings to diagnose an AC fan motor issue. A reading of zero means there’s a short, while an infinite reading indicates an open winding.

Check Your Refrigerant

The AC system requires a certain level of refrigerant to function correctly. If the refrigerant level falls too low, it could lead to damage and other problems.

Hissing and bubbling noises can indicate a refrigerant leak. A technician can help you find the source of the leak and fix it before it worsens.

You can purchase gauges and other widgets to help you check your refrigerant levels, but these tools only do a little with a qualified technician. You may have to keep recharging the system if it has an expensive and hazardous leak.

Check Your Thermostat Settings

Even if your thermostat seems to be working fine, it can still have issues. Bumping into it or accidentally pressing the wrong button can cause it to become locked, preventing your AC from operating as expected.

It’s also worth checking your settings to ensure they are optimized for efficiency and comfort. Ideally, it would help if you aimed for temperatures between 71 and 77 degrees during peak energy usage hours to reduce utility bills and stress on your system. These simple steps should help you find the problem and restore your AC.

Check Your Electrical Connections

Your air conditioner has many electrical components, and they are all connected with wiring. If these wires get loose or dislodged, it can disrupt the power flow to those parts and cause them to malfunction.

Check your home’s breaker panel to ensure the breakers that supply power to your AC unit haven’t been tripped and that fuses are not blown. Replace any fuses that have been blown. Also, walk through your house and ensure all air vents are not blocked with furniture or other objects.