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What To Do When Your HVAC System Fails: Emergency Tips for Homeowners

An HVAC system failure can be extremely costly and stressful for a homeowner, especially during extreme weather. Suppose your air conditioner stops cooling in the middle of a hot summer or heatwave, or your furnace stops heating effectively during freezing temperatures. In that case, it is important (for your comfort and energy use) to find out the cause of the problem and sort it out as quickly as possible. This article will discuss some of the steps you can take if your HVAC system stops functioning suddenly, and can help you understand when you should call your air conditioning service in Jacksonville.

Assess the situation:

The first thing you want to do is determine the extent of the damage or the severity of the problem, depending on the situation. You can ask yourself these questions:

  • Is the system completely unresponsive, or is it not performing as well as normally?
  • Have you noticed any strange odors, smells, or visible damage to any part of the system?
  • Check whether the failure or damage impacts the cooling, heating, or ventilation (or a combination thereof).

Understanding the problem will help you determine whether you need to call a professional air conditioning service Jacksonville or handle the issue yourself.

Check the thermostat settings:

Sometimes, the solution might be as simple as ensuring that your thermostat is operating on the correct setting. Make sure that:

  • It is set to the correct mode (for example, cooling for summer, heating for winter).
  • The correct temperature setting has not been accidentally changed or reset.
  • If you have a programmable/ smart thermostat, check for power, connectivity or software issues.

Replacing the thermostat’s batteries or resetting the device can also solve minor issues.

Inspect power supply:

If your HVAC system has lost access to power or has damaged connections, it may fail. This is how you can check the status of power fed to your HVAC system:

  • Check the circuit breaker and reset any tripped breakers if necessary.
  • Ensure that the system’s power switch is working and is turned on.
  • Test nearby outlets by plugging in small devices to ensure they work.

If power issues continue, it might be a good idea to call the company that managed your AC installation Jacksonville and have them check for any issues that might be causing them. They will be able to check for other issues you may not be aware of.

Examine air filters:

If your air filters are dirty or clogged, they can restrict air flow, which can cause your HVAC system to overheat or fail and may increase your energy bill. Make sure that you regularly check and clean your air filters and replace them when needed. This simple step can improve your system’s performance or help prevent any further issues or the exacerbation of a problem.

Look for visible problems:

Thoroughly review your HVAC system to check for visible damage or other factors that could affect its performance. These could all be signs of a problem that you need to get fixed:

  • Leaking fluids: If refrigerant or water pool around your system, it will not be working efficiently. There might have been a problem with your AC installation in Jacksonville,or natural wear and tear has caused a leak.
  • Blocked vents: Check for obstructions in any vents, as this will stop the airflow and make your system work harder.
  • Damaged parts: Your system’s components can become damaged due to natural wear and tear or age—check for a worn belt, disconnected ducts, or bent condenser fins.

When to call an HVAC professional:

If the basic troubleshooting steps above do not solve your issues, or they worsen, you might need to call a professional to check your system and find the root of the problem. Remember to schedule your HVAC system for repairs at least twice every year to make sure it’s running at optimum efficiency. It is also important to fix or deal with any minor issues as you notice them, as they can get worse over time and lead to costly repairs down the line.