Heating Do-It-Yourself | Cooling Do-It-Yourself | Ventilation Do-It-Yourself

NOTE: While we offer these guides for heating & air conditioning systems, we highly recommend having a licensed HVAC professional perform all maintenance and installation functions.

Keep outdoor compressor clean
Use a hose to thoroughly wash off any debris and buildup on the outside cabinet of your condensing unit. Also, keep a cushion of at least one or two feet between your condenser and any trees, shrubs, or outdoor décor.

Keep outdoor unit level.
Make sure that your outdoor unit is on a flat service. An uneven unit will not be able to properly drain. The best option is to have a professional place it on a pad.

Utilize shrubs and trees By planting a tall tree or shrub around the outside of your house, you can greatly increase the efficiency of your air conditioning unit. The shading these plants produce can decrease costs by as much as 25%. Especially effective are deciduous trees (ones that shed their leaves in the winter). You’ll receive cool shade all summer long, while allowing warming sunlight to enter your home all winter.

Troubleshooting

Problem: My system is running properly, but it doesn’t seem to be cooling my house.
Solution: The most likely problem is that your system is out of refrigerant. Have a professional come out to inspect your system’s refrigerant levels. If they are low, a technician will refill it for you. You should only let professionals refill your system refrigerant. Check your outdoor condenser for blockages such as leaves and debris, or have a professional inspect your ductwork for any airflow problems.

Problem: Some rooms in my home are much cooler than other.
Solution: This is likely due to your ductwork as well as the natural tendency for cooler air to fall and hot air to rise. The first step is to close registers in lower rooms of the house, forcing the cold air to exit at the top of your home and drop to the bottom. This should create an even spread of cooling throughout the home. Also, try running the fan continuously, this will help to even out the temperature with in the home. If that is not effective, the next step is to call a professional and have your ventilation inspected for blockages.

Problem: System is non-operational
Solution: Your temperature settings may not be correct on your thermostat. Check to see that it is set for a temperature below the current indoor temperature of your home. Next, check to see whether power is being sent to your system. Inspect circuit breakers to ensure that it is receiving the required energy. After both steps have been performed and the system has not begun to function, have a technician come to inspect the system as soon as possible.