By Garabedian Properties |
January 16, 2025
If your Heater or Air Conditioner doesn't blow, even though the Thermostat says it is working, there may be simple solutions.
Over the years our Estate Management Services team has come up with some simple protocols to help get your units working as desired. The two most common factors are; dirty air filters and clogged drain lines.
Dirty Filters
Many times it is something as simple as a dirty air filter. If the filter is dirty, the unit will not be able to pull air into the system to heat or cool. The thermostat will show the unit is operating however no air will be moving and the room temperature will not move appropriately. This can be a summer or winter issue.
Go to the air handlers of the affected unit (often in the attic) and turn the unit off at the light switch nearest the unit. When you turn the switch off you should hear the unit power down. If you turn off the switch and the attic light goes out, that's the wrong switch. Pull out the filter and replace with a new filter.
Often the filters will not look "dirty" but they are. We recommend you check all your units while you are at it. If one filter is dirty they probably all are. Being proactive will save you frustration later.
If you are running your heater the unit should fire up very quickly with a clean filter after turning the unit turned back on. If you are running the AC it is possible the unit froze up and will need to defrost. Leave the power off for an hour or two so that all the ice on the coil can melt. If you are not sure if the unit is frozen up you can feel the outer casing and it will be cool to the touch and sometimes you will see condensation on the exterior of the unit. Do not run the unit when frozen up. If not sure leave it off for a few hours then turn it on and you should be good to go.
The 4" filters we commonly used in most systems are often good for up to 6 months (1" filters are often good for about 30-45 days) however conditions can vary and it requires a more frequent change.
We recommend you keep spare filters in your attic for a quick swap as needed. If you are one of our Estate Management Owners we will provide filters for you and replace them as needed.
Clogged Drain Lines
If for some reason your unit does not respond after replacing the filter you may have a clogged condensation drain line. This is a 1" white PVC line that drains water from the unit into the drain under a sink.
If your sink is a bathroom sink it is not uncommon for hair, toothpaste, make up and other such items to clog the drain in the trap. Your sink may still drain however the line from the HVAC may not be flowing freely. This will back up water into the unit and trip the flow switch which will turn off the unit.
Removing and cleaning out the trap under the sink will often address this issues. When you have your semi annual HVAC service have the technician blow out the lines. If you have a sink that is draining slowly OR you find water or residue in the sink when not in use, that is often an early indication of a problem.
Preventative
You should have your HVAC units serviced at least 2x a year. There are protocols for Spring (getting AC ready for the hot temperatures) and Fall (getting the heater ready for Winter) which trained technicians can undertake. These protocols will often minimize system break downs during the year.
Caring for homes can be a never ending job. Our Pro Tips are designed to share short cuts we have learned in our 30+ years in the industry to help. You can search for other Pro Tips on our web site www.GarabedianProperties.com/blog.
Our Owners and Estate Management Services Families are always welcomed to contact our offices for enhances support options.