An HVAC breakdown is never convenient. Losing air conditioning during a hot Metro East summer or discovering your furnace isn’t working on a freezing winter night can quickly become more than an ordinary home comfort problem.
Knowing what to check—and when to call a professional—can help you respond appropriately without accidentally making the problem worse.
If your heating or cooling system suddenly stops working, here are a few steps you can take.
Before troubleshooting the HVAC system, make sure the situation doesn’t involve an immediate safety hazard.
If you smell gas, suspect a gas leak, or a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, leave the home and follow the emergency instructions provided by your gas utility or local emergency services. Don’t attempt to diagnose or repair the HVAC equipment yourself.
Electrical burning odors, smoke, or other signs of an electrical problem also require immediate attention.
For an ordinary heating or cooling breakdown without signs of a safety hazard, you can perform a few basic checks before requesting service.
Start with the simplest possibility.
Make sure the thermostat is:
If it uses replaceable batteries, check those as well.
Someone may have accidentally changed a setting, or the thermostat itself could be contributing to the problem.
A severely dirty filter can restrict airflow and affect HVAC performance.
Check the filter and replace it if it’s visibly clogged. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for the appropriate filter type and replacement procedure.
If replacing a dirty filter doesn’t restore normal operation, don’t continue making adjustments to the equipment. There may be another issue requiring professional diagnosis.
If the HVAC equipment isn’t operating at all, check your home’s electrical panel for a tripped breaker.
A breaker can occasionally trip, but don’t repeatedly reset a breaker that continues to trip. That may indicate an electrical or equipment problem that needs professional attention.
For an outdoor AC unit, you can also visually check whether anything obvious is preventing normal operation, but avoid opening equipment panels or working around electrical components.
The symptoms you notice can help an HVAC technician diagnose the problem.
Make note of whether:
Don’t continue operating equipment that’s making severe mechanical noises or showing signs of an electrical problem.
If your air conditioner stops cooling, close blinds and curtains to reduce heat entering through the windows. Avoid unnecessary use of ovens and other appliances that generate substantial heat.
Fans can help circulate air and make occupants feel more comfortable, although they won’t actually lower the temperature of the room.
If the system is running but blowing warm air, making unusual noises, leaking water, or repeatedly shutting down, Ehret can provide professional AC repair to diagnose the problem.
A heating failure during extremely cold weather deserves prompt attention, particularly because falling indoor temperatures can eventually put plumbing at risk.
After checking the thermostat, filter, and circuit breaker, contact a professional if the furnace still isn’t operating normally.
Ehret provides furnace repair for Belleville and Metro East homeowners when heating equipment isn’t keeping the home comfortable.
While waiting for service, conserve the heat already inside your home by keeping doors and windows closed.
Never use an oven, outdoor heater, grill, or other appliance that isn’t designed for indoor heating as a substitute for your furnace.
Basic checks such as inspecting the thermostat or filter are reasonable for many homeowners. Internal HVAC repairs are different.
Modern heating and cooling equipment can involve:
Once troubleshooting requires opening equipment or repairing internal components, it’s generally time to call a trained HVAC technician.
Not every HVAC failure can be prevented, but regular maintenance gives technicians an opportunity to identify developing problems before they leave you without heating or cooling.
You can also help by paying attention to changes in system performance rather than waiting for the equipment to stop completely.
Warning signs can include unusual noises, weaker airflow, uneven temperatures, longer run times, and repeated cycling.
The Ehret FAN Club makes routine maintenance easier with HVAC system checks and maintenance twice per year. Seasonal service helps prepare your cooling equipment for summer and heating equipment for winter.
If you’ve checked the thermostat, filter, and breaker and your HVAC system still isn’t operating properly, it’s time to have the problem professionally diagnosed.
Don’t repeatedly restart malfunctioning equipment or ignore unusual noises, electrical problems, or other warning signs.
Ehret Inc. provides professional heating and cooling services throughout Belleville, IL and surrounding Metro East communities. Whether your air conditioner stops cooling or your furnace leaves you without heat, our team can determine what’s wrong and recommend the appropriate repair.
Schedule HVAC service with Ehret Inc. or call (618) 233-1018 for assistance.
