Central Heat and Air Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting a forced-air furnace system that provides both air conditioning and heating means less work than if you had two different types of systems that could break down. Most of the same troubleshooting steps you would use for your central air system you would also use when troubleshooting the heating system. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Check the thermostat if the problem is not with the electrical system controls at the main service panel. Someone else in the house may have adjusted the thermostat to kick on at a higher or lower temperature.
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Check for a tripped circuit breaker or a blow fuse when neither cold nor hot air blows from your system. Reset the circuit breaker or replace the blown fuse if this is the cause of the problem.
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Determine that the air filter inside the house is not clogged and obstructing efficient air flow. Some forced air furnaces utilize two different air filters, so check them both. These two filters may be of different sizes, so be certain the replacement filters fit the space requirements of the filters you're replacing.
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Ensure that the fan outside is turning easily and without obstruction. If you hear a rattling sound, this should immediately lead you to the outside condenser unit. Inspect for any foreign objects that may have gotten lodged inside the unit, becoming an obstruction for the fan. Turn off the power at the main service panel, unscrew the condenser unit and remove the item obstructing the fan. If a fan blade is slightly bent, bend it back to straighten it. A badly damaged fan, however, should be replaced rather than attempting to straighten it.
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Clear away anything that obstructs air flow into the outdoor unit. Peak efficiency of a forced air heating/cooling system depends on clean air flow into the outdoor unit. Tear away any climbing vines and prune back any vegetation. Remove objects directly affecting efficient air flow.
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Use a spirit level once a year to determine that the outside condenser unit is perfectly level. Vibrations over time can cause the unit to become unlevel, and this results in a less efficient operating unit. Place a wood shim beneath the condenser to get it back to level.
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Sniff the air for the scent of burned insulation or scorched paint on the housing. Burned wire insulation or scorched housing paint can be a problem that occurs over time. To remedy the situation, either tighten the wire connections or replace any wires that are particularly damaged. A routine inspection of the insulation and wiring should be done to avert a future occurrence of the same problem.
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Tips & Warnings
Always turn off the power at the main service panel before opening up the outside condenser unit.
References
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