Air Conditioning • HVAC A central air-conditioner is an elaborate system that involves parts such as an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, fans, and refrigerant to run through the unit. Like many household appliances, each of these components does their job both independently, but also in unison with the connecting parts and when one section of the system goes down, the entire performance falters. While each component in a central air-conditioner is critical, quite simply the unit will not work if the fan is not running. Fans in the central A/C both pull air out of the room to be conditioned and have humidity removed and also push chilled air through the vents throughout the house. When the fan goes down there is no way to cycle the air and thus the system is essentially stalled. It’s important to get the fan up and running ASAP or else the home will get uncomfortable in a hurry and you could end up damaging the compressor. There are a few ways to tell if your A/C fan is temporarily or permanently out of order.

The first is an inspection of the outdoor unit to physically see if the fan is turning. The condenser lines should be cold and the air inside the home should be cool. If the fan isn’t running at all or there is warm air blowing it’s time to troubleshoot: If the fan doesn’t start up at all it could be something as simple as a setting on the thermostat. how to remove outdoor ac unitMake sure that the power is turned on and that the settings are calling for ‘cooling’. texa ac unitIf all the settings are correct but the fan doesn’t start it could be an overheated or damaged fan motor.heat and ac unit all in one In some cases, you can give the fan a ‘kick start’ by pushing it with a stick and if this occurs there is likely an issue with the capacitor.

Similarly, if a fan won’t turn when the power is on but will rotate freely when shut off it could be the sign of a bad motor bearing. Trouble with the bearing will also result in wobbly or lopsided turning if the fan does run. The fan needs to run at an optimal speed for the system to function properly. If the blade turns noticeably slower there may be low voltage running to the unit caused by issues with the control board or problems with the circuits. Also, the fan blade may have come loose from the motor shaft and is simply moving slowly because of a breeze or the turning of the shaft. Once again a capacitor may also be causing issues with the slow moving fan. If your Central A/C fan is acting unpredictably, starting on and off at random and shutting down in the middle of a cycle it could be a sign there’s an issue with the wiring or some loose components somewhere. It’s normal for a fan to keep running for a short time after an A/C cycle while the compressor motor stops but a fan that keeps winding excessively there are likely problems in the circuit board or with the wiring.

As long as the A/C unit is running properly some homeowners may be willing to ignore a ticking, rattling, or buzzing coming from the fan area. In reality, it’s best to diagnose these sounds to make sure they aren’t leading to serious problems down the line. The first thing to check is that an obstruction isn’t hitting the fan blades as they turn or that the blades aren’t bent. Buzzing and humming are somewhat more sinister as they could present a problem with the motor or the bearings turning the blades. The common denominator with all these problems is that, although a visual inspection might locate the problem, the fix should almost always be done by a professional HVAC technician. It’s better to spend money for a service call and be guaranteed you fix the problem rather than buy unnecessary parts or do incomplete fixes that could end up costing more in the long run. Are you in Pennsylvania and need help with your HVAC system? Contact us today for a free quote!

Heating & Cooling Troubleshooting How to troubleshoot your way out of a heating or cooling problem. Just because your local Carrier® expert is a wonderful person doesn't necessarily mean you want to rearrange your day to have him or her out for a service visit. Instead, try these useful tips. They're just as easy as picking up the phone. If you have an Infinity® system with remote access, you can set up your access to allow your trusted Carrier expert to diagnose potential problems right over the phone. What to do if your air conditioner or heat pump isn't cooling properly. Check to make sure that your control or thermostat is set in cooling mode. Make sure that the temperature is set cooler than the current indoor temperature. If it isn't, your system won't know to provide cooling. Make sure your outdoor cooling (condensing) unit is running. If not, check the circuit breakers in your home's circuit breaker box (or electrical panel). They should be in the ON position.

Check the main power switch for your outdoor unit, usually found within a few feet of the unit in a box mounted to the exterior of the house. Make sure it's in the ON position. Ensure that the blower motor in your furnace or air handler (fan coil) is running. If the system is set for cooling, the blower motor should be running. If not, check to make sure your indoor unit switch is in the ON position. System not cooling enough: Check the filter for buildup. If you have one-inch-thick furnace filters, a once-a-month change is recommended. Two-inch-thick filters-and other high-capacity pleated filters-usually only need to be changed every other month, depending on the type. If you don't change it, the filter will eventually become so full, it will block the proper airflow and cause your outdoor air conditioner unit to shut down. Check all return air grilles to make sure they are not blocked. Return air grilles are larger and are located on a wall or the ceiling in newer homes.

Older homes frequently have return air grilles on the floor. Check all supply registers to make sure they are open and blowing air. If you still don't feel that refreshing flow of cool air throughout your home or your system is under-delivering cooling, it's time to contact your local Carrier expert for service. Other signs that indicate a service call may be in order: Your system is struggling to keep up and seems to be turning itself on and off frequently. Your indoor summer humidity levels seem unusually high. You hear your indoor-unit fan coming on but the air from the registers isn't cool or the fan is turning on and off more frequently than usual. NOTE: If your system control has a "Constant ON" feature, you will not always feel warmth, even though air may be blowing. Things to double-check if you have a gas-furnace issue. Check to make sure that your control or thermostat is set in the HEAT position. (You'd be surprised; often that's the problem.)

Make sure that the temperature is set warmer than the current indoor temperature. If it isn't, your system won't know to provide heating. Ensure that your furnace's power is on. Try turning the fan to ON using the fan switch on the control or thermostat to test for power to the furnace. Check the circuit breakers in your home's circuit breaker box (electrical panel) to make sure they're in the ON position. Check the furnace power switch to be sure it's in the ON position (it looks like a light switch on a gray box located at the furnace). System not heating enough:If you have one-inch thick furnace filters, a once-a-month change is recommended. Two-inch-thick filters-and other high-capacity pleated filters-usually only need to be changed every other month or less, depending on the type. If you don't change it, the filter will eventually become so full, it will block the proper airflow and strain your furnace. If you still don't feel that wonderful rush of warmth throughout your home, it's time to contact your local Carrier expert for service.

Other signs that may indicate a service call may be in order: You hear your indoor-unit fan coming on but the air from the registers isn't warm or the fan is turning on and off more frequently than usual. Before you request a service call for your ventilator: Check the main power disconnect switch. Verify that the circuit breakers are ON or that fuses have not blown. If you must reset breakers or replace fuses, do so only once. Contact your Carrier® expert for assistance if the breakers trip or the fuses blow a second time. Check for sufficient airflow. Check air filters for accumulations of large particles. Check for blocked exhaust-air grilles or ductwork. Keep grilles and ductwork open and unobstructed. For Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERV) Check to see if the unit is calling for air exchange or if the unit is in defrost mode. When outdoor ambient temperature is below 23°F (-5°C), some degree of defrost mode is possible. Defrost time could be 5 to 20 minutes, depending on temperature and settings.