When something goes wrong, there’s a serious art to diagnosing the problem. This is why many HVAC companies charge a diagnostic fee, since it’s practically half of the job and it takes a lot of effort.
Luckily, as a homeowner, there’s a bit of troubleshooting you can do on your own to narrow down the possibilities and make diagnosis easier when a professional does it.
For instance, if your heat pump is having trouble switching from heating to cooling mode, there are a few simple steps you can take to ensure it’s a problem that needs professional help, or if you can take care of it on your own.
Most of the time, heat pump repair in Tallahassee, FL will require professional support. But if you call our team and tell us about what you’ve observed with your system, it will make the process of diagnosing and fixing the issue a lot easier.
Check the Air Filter
First and foremost, we need to talk about your air filter. Turn off the heat pump and head down to where your heat pump is. The air filter is located in the return air duct of the system, and it should be easy to remove or replace. If it’s disposable, you should throw it out and replace it with a new one. If it’s reusable, just clean it off with a damp paper towel and put it back.
This can honestly solve a lot of problems, and it’s going to be the first thing that lets you know if you’re encountering a problem with the heat pump or just a clogged air filter.
A clogged air filter can be problematic for a number of different reasons, which is why we always start with this advice when you’re trying to narrow down the source of a problem.
Examine Your Thermostat’s Settings
Here’s a tip: before you call a professional for repairs, check your thermostat.
There’s a switch on your thermostat where the HVAC system can be turned from “cooling” to “heating” mode and vice versa. It’s important during the year because it stops your home from getting the wrong type of comfort, like getting heat when you need AC.
However, if your heat pump is stuck in heating mode, it’s not going to provide the cooling you need. So make sure that it reflects the type of comfort you want in your home and then see if that fixes the problem.
If you’re still struggling with your heat pump, then continue to check things.
Think About the Electrical Connection
Have you made any drastic changes to your electrical system recently? Or perhaps you encountered a power outage? This could have caused a reset or an electrical disconnection in your thermostat or heat pump. Unfortunately, this is going to require professional support, but these are usually easy problems to fix.
Take a Walk Around Your Heat Pump
Last but not least, if you think your thermostat is in good shape, then walk around your heat pump and take notes of any sounds or strange things you see. This can be important information for your prospective technician to know about when they try to diagnose the problem.
Start by contacting Parker Services Inc. Comfort’s just a call away!