Before you schedule service

Unit not working? Thinking of calling for service? You may be able to save yourself a service call by checking the following items.

Are your filters dirty?

Virtually everything you expect from your indoor comfort system (heating/cooling your home, removing moisture, filtering particulates, turning over air, etc.) substantially depends on your unit moving enough air. A dirty filter is an “oft overlooked” impediment to air flow.

Before you call for service, replace or clean your air filter.

Is your outdoor unit plugged OR blocked by debris?

Just as you feel cooler when sweat evaporates from your body, your air conditioner cools your home by allowing refrigerant to evaporate. In order for this process to occur there must be sufficient air flow over the fins of your outdoor unit.

Before you call for service, clear away any debris on your outdoor unit.

WARNING: Do not use a hose on your outdoor unit unless you have been shown how. Improper use of a hose on an outdoor unit can cause permanent damage.

Did your unit blow a fuse OR trip a breaker?

If your unit fails to turn on, it is possible that it simply blew a fuse or tripped a breaker.

Before you call for service, check your electrical panel. If necessary, replace the fuse or reset the relevant breaker.

NOTE: If after replacing the fuse or resetting the breaker the problem recurs, be sure to call us. There may be an underlying problem causing your unit to short which requires attention.

Is your thermostat set correctly?

Many home comfort problems are as simple as changing a setting on your thermostat. Here is a thermostat checklist to consult before calling for service.

If it is winter, is it set to “Heat?” Is the thermostat set to a temperature higher than the current room temperature?
If it is summer, is it set to “Cool?” Is the thermostat set to a temperature lower than the current room temperature?
Is the blower switch set correctly? “On” will cause the blower to continuously recirculate the air in your home; “Auto” will cause the blower to come on ONLY when the furnace or air conditioner is on.
Is your programmable unit set correctly? Your unit may be turning on or off inexplicably due to the program it is set to run. It may be time to reprogram your unit. If you need assistance with this, you can use the “HOLD” function in the interim.
Are you sure you are reading the correct information from your digital unit’s display? After setting a temperature, many digital displays will revert to the current room temperature. The unit did not forget what you set; it is simply displaying a different piece of information.
If you have multiple units, are you certain you are using the correct thermostat for the correct unit?
Do the batteries in your digital thermostat need to be replaced?

Before you call for service, take a minute to consult the owner’s manual or quick-start guide for your thermostat.

If there is water near your furnace, are you sure that it is coming from your air conditioner?

The drain for the A-coil is often linked to other sources, including sinks, washing machines, etc. Often water that appears to be coming from the coil is from other sources. Here are some hints that the water may be coming from an appliance other than your air conditioner:

Outdoor weather OR operation of another appliance is a better predictor of water on the floor than operation of your air conditioner. For example:
-Water pools even when the air conditioner is not running.
-There are water stains above the A-coil’s drain hole OR the water stains begin below some other appliance or device.

Before you call for service, make sure that leaking water is coming from your heating and cooling system.

*** Note: If you have any doubts about any of the recommendations provided on this page, please give us a call. We’d rather fix a simple problem than risk you doing damage to yourself or your equipment. ***