Why did my HVAC stop working? Investigating the cause and troubleshooting

The comfort and health of the occupants of a building during severe weather changes depend on its HVAC system. For this reason, the temperature balance of a house is very important for its residents. Obviously, an HVAC-R professional can help you when your home's HVAC system isn't working properly. However, there are some specific things you can do to get it working again with only a few uncomplicated repairs.

To check the efficiency of your heating and cooling system, inspect the air vents and ducts to ensure they are clean and unobstructed. Also, check the thermostat to make sure it is set to the correct temperature. In the following, we will discuss some common furnace or air conditioning problems and how to solve them.

What is an HVAC system?

HVAC is an abbreviation for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. An HVAC system can offer all three of these in a single installation.

This system controls and distributes heated and cooled air across residential and commercial buildings. HVAC systems can be found in a variety of places, including single-family houses, workplaces, and indoor stadiums.

Problems with furnaces and their solutions

  1. Make sure the power breaker is off or on. With this, you will not need the help of a technician.
  2. Check that nothing prevents the gas from reaching the furnace and that other gas-consuming devices are working properly. If so, you probably need an expert.
  3. It is possible that the heat pump will not achieve the proper temperature because when the weather is very cold, your heat pump may not produce sufficient heat to reach the temperature you want. In this case, you can adapt your thermostat.
  4. Your furnace may require maintenance. Maintenance is critical to the proper functioning of your HVAC system. Worn parts must be replaced regularly, and resistance removed so that the motors can run smoothly. In this case, less time and gas will be needed to create heat.
  5. The problem of the furnace not working can be due to the broken belt and as a result, the air does not come out. In this case, shut down the gas and HVAC system and then open the furnace cabinet and you will notice that a number is labeled on the belt. Buy the same belt to replace the old one.
  6. If the problem is caused by a broken oil burner, you can replace the filter. Inspect if it is receiving power or if a sensor has alerted it to shut down.

Problems with air conditioner and their solutions

  • The air conditioner does not blow

If the air conditioner does not blow, first check the valves and make sure they are open and the thermostat is set. Also, if the air filter is blocked with dust and other debris, the air conditioner cannot remove the air. To avoid this problem, the air filter should be cleaned regularly and replaced if necessary. In addition, the problem may be with the fan, or the power may not reach the motor well, in which case you should contact an air conditioning expert.

Inspect the vents to confirm that they are all open. This issue is very important because if even one valve is closed, it will be difficult to cool the house as the warm air of the room with the blocked valve blends with the cooled air of the rest. If not, this may include another problem, like a leak in the refrigerant line. The system might be very old or installed incorrectly, it may be worn or an inappropriate size for the building. HVAC systems that are too big for your home will turn on and off very fast which will disturb their function. A system that is too small for your home will work too hard to regulate your home temperature and cause early failure.

  • Air conditioning water leakage inside

If the air conditioner leaks water into the building, turn it off to avoid expensive water harm. Also, the blockage of the gas condensate drain line causes water to return to your house, in which case you can get help from DIYers. DIYers can utilize a wet/dry vacuum to clear the line. Otherwise, the problem may be caused by the rust of the drain container or the condensate pump being damaged. The technician can replace or fix broken parts.

  • Air conditioning water leakage outside

Sometimes a small puddle of water can form under the condenser unit, especially on hot and humid days. Usually, on hot and humid days, this happens when the machine is working. In lower temperatures, an air conditioner can freeze and cause the unit to leak when it melts, which is also expected. If the leak is due to other reasons, the air filters should be replaced or cleaned, and if the problem is not solved, you may need more refrigerant, your drain pipe is blocked, or the condensation pan is broken.

  • AC water leakage when shut down

If the filter is not clean and the refrigerant in the system is low, it is possible that the system will freeze during operation, which will melt and leak out after turning off. This water leakage can damage the floor or ceiling, so do not turn on the system until the problem is fixed. This may also be due to blockage or breakage of the condensate pan.

  • The air conditioner does not stop

If the filter is dirty and blocked, the air conditioner system will stay on too much. If this problem is not solved by replacing or cleaning the filter, your system may not be the right size or it may be too old and outdated. This problem causes it to spin too much and work hard and have trouble shutting down. Some other common problems such as thermostat failure, short circuit in the thermostat cable, and stuck fan relay cause the system to fail to shut down.

  • Central AC does not turn on

If the central air system does not turn on, it can be solved by adjusting the thermostat, otherwise, your system may need repair or replacement.

  • When the air conditioner fan does not work inside

If the internal AC fan does not work, the circuit breaker should be checked first. And if the problem is not with the circuit breaker, the air filter should be checked to fix it if it is blocked. In order to check the fan, first, wait until the ice on the evaporator coil and refrigerant lines has melted. If the coil is frozen, it may be necessary to replace the contacts inside the fan relay, the fan belt, or the motor.

  • When the air conditioner fan does not work outside

Also, if the AC is not working properly, the outdoor unit should be checked. If the outdoor fan does not spin properly, the problem may be with the breaker or fuse box.

The starting capacitor may have failed. Sometimes, even though the compressor is working, the fan motor or the starter capacitor may not work. You can troubleshoot the problem by pressing the fan with a wooden stick. Note that this should never be done with your finger, as it may injure your finger if the fan starts working. If the problem still persists, seek the help of an expert.

Dirt and rust can cause jamming. If the device is overhauled, it is necessary to repair or replace the outdoor fan motor.

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2 thoughts on “why did my HVAC-R stop working

  1. Dani says:

    very practical and useful

    1. Admin says:

      Thank you for being with us

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