While a qualified HVAC technician should be called to perform any repairs, here is how to do a quick HVAC diagnosis for simple problems.
How To Diagnose a Digital Thermostat
When a customer calls Able Air Conditioning and complains their thermostat does not respond and there is no display, the first questions we ask is “Have you checked the batteries?”.
All modern thermostats are digital and contain simple computer circuits. Most thermostats are powered by AA or AAA batteries that will need to be replaced periodically. If your digital thermostat has stopped working it could need a fresh set of batteries. Congratulations; you just saved yourself a service call!
How To Diagnose the Condenser
When the inside air handler is running but the outside condenser has stopped working the first item to check is the circuit breaker. If the breaker only trips once or twice you may be OK, the system is just working hard. But if the breaker trips continually, bigger problems are on the horizon and you will need a professional HVAC diagnosis by an Able Heating and Air Conditioning technician. Call DeAnn at 225-275-9775 to set up an appointment.
How To Diagnose The System Not Running At All
When the inside air handler and the outside condenser have both stopped working you need to check your emergency condensate pan for water. Climb into your attic and look under your air handler and coil for a rectangular metal pan or tray and see if it has filled with water.
Normally, as humidity is removed from the warm air, water condensation from the inside coil falls into the primary pan and is carried away by the condensate drain line. But sometimes that drain line can become clogged and water condensation spills over into the emergency pan. If the emergency pan fills up, a float switch will shut the entire system down to prevent water damage to the house.
Able Air Conditioning technicians have special HVAC tools to clear a clogged drain line. This is generally not a job for the home owner. Call DeAnn at 225-275-9775 to set up an appointment.
