Troubleshooting Your HVAC This Spring

Troubleshooting Your HVAC This Spring

Spring is the time when many people shift from running the furnace to turning on the air conditioner on days when it's hot and humid. As you make the annual change from heating to cooling, you might notice some issues with your home's comfort system. Should this be the case, there are some things you can do to troubleshoot your HVAC system this spring.

See If Your Furnace Is the Problem

As you switch from heating to cooling, it's only logical to assume any new issues are related to the cooling part of your HVAC system. However, this may not always be the case. See if your furnace may be the problem by:

• Setting your thermostat to the "AC" setting
• Lowering the temperature setting
• Resetting the furnace's circuit breaker if the fan doesn't run

If the fan still doesn't kick in after resetting the circuit breaker, give us a call. Mechanical and electrical issues are best taken care of by trained HVAC professionals.

Clean Off the Condenser Coils

The easiest fixes are sometimes the ones that solve the problem. So, before getting inside the condensing unit, give it a good cleaning. All you need for this task is your garden hose. Point the nozzle downward and wash off any debris on the coil fins. When rinsing the coils, turn the force of the water down, so you don't unintentionally damage them. Try your HVAC system again and see if it's working.

Test the Fuses

Fuses are found in the disconnect box, which is the box that covers the part where connections go inside. Disconnect blocks typically have two cartridge fuses. In some cases, the problem is with these fuses. Just be aware that failing fuses could also indicate a part inside your outdoor unit that's failing. Check your disconnect block fuses by:

• Using the lowest Ohms setting on the multimeter
• Touching the black/red leads to opposite ends on the fuses
• Looking for a numerical reading

Note: If you get a reading, the fuse should be OK. However, if you see a minus symbol or zero, a fuse is bad.

Check the Outside Condensing Unit (and Replace a Few Inexpensive Parts)

First, see if the fan is running on your outside condensing unit. If it's not running, turn the power off in the main electrical panel. Next, remove the access panel. Double-check that the power is off using a voltage tester on wires leading to the contactor. The most common condenser parts that fail include:

• The AC contactor
• The start/run capacitor(s)
• The condenser fan motor

Before going any further, inspect the inside of the panel. Look for signs of chewed wires, nests, and other debris. Call a professional if wires are damaged or chewed through if you're not experienced with electrical work.

The first two parts we mentioned above are relatively inexpensive, so start with these. Wait on the fan motor until you know for sure it's the problem. When replacing the contactor and start/run capacitors, begin by taking a photo of everything when it's still in place. This way, you'll know how to connect everything properly. Both of these repairs involve:

• Removing the old contactor or start/run capacitors
• Using either needle-nose pliers or a screwdriver – the pliers are for the capacitors, and the screwdriver is for the contractor
• Securing the new parts into place
• Putting the access panel back on and reinstalling the disconnect block
• Putting the circuit breaker back on
• Adjusting the thermostat, so your AC kicks in to see if everything is working again

Call Us Today

If you're not sure about what could be causing any issues with your HVAC system or you're just not comfortable replacing parts, reach out to the experts at Command Service Center. It's best to err on the side of caution and let HVAC professionals do any work you're not comfortable doing yourself, especially if electrical or mechanical components are involved.