What To Do If Your Central HVAC System Has Gone Kaput
Posted on: 21 March 2017
If your central heating and cooling system suddenly stops working then the very first thing you want to do is to shut it off completely. You don't want to cause more issues by allowing it to continue running, or trying to run, when you aren't sure exactly what is wrong with it.
Make sure you don't have a frozen air conditioner
If you had the air conditioning on then it may have frozen up on you. If this is the case then you still want to turn off the unit. Let the AC have time to defrost while you make sure the air filter is clean and all the registers in the entire house are open. You also want to be sure drapes, rugs or furniture aren't in the way of any of the vents. If you turn the AC back on to find it still isn't working, then it's time to call out an HVAC technician.
Some things that can contribute to a central HVAC system freezing up include a dirty filter, a dirty evaporation coil, return grills that are blocked by dust or objects, vents that aren't open and/or a motor that isn't functioning properly. Cleaning the filter regularly, having the system routinely maintained so a professional can clean the coil as well as fix motor issues and unblocking vents can help prevent this problem from occurring.
A system that's low on refrigerant can also freeze-up. However, if your system is low on this then it is also indicative of another issue and that is a leak somewhere in the system. This is just one more reason why having your central heating and cooling system regularly serviced is a good idea. A technician will likely catch those leaks early on so you can avoid problems such as freezing up.
Prepare yourself for other possible problems
If a frozen unit has been ruled out, then the issue may be in the motor. If it's as simple as a belt or loose parts, then you may be able to have the system up and running again quickly and without spending very much for repairs. However, if the issue is larger, then the technician may have to order parts or even a whole new unit.
No matter what the problem is, it will be important for you to make the phone call to get someone like http://www.mercurytecinc.com out as soon as you realize there is a problem.
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