Troubleshoot a Heat Pump or Air Conditioning System
If you are handy or would like to learn more about your A/C or heat pump system follow along to troubleshoot a unit that is not operating correctly.
Steps
- Turn the entire system off at the thermostat and let it stabilize for 30 minutes.
- Turn the fan switch from the auto to the on position.
- Does the fan come on? You will notice air blowing at the registers in the home.
- Now select the fan switch to auto. Turn the unit on cool and select a lower temperature. You should hear a click
- Go outside and listen to the outdoor unit. Does the fan motor come on as well as the compressor? The compressor has a distinct hum to it and is typically located below the fan motor blades you see.
- If the indoor blower motor is operating and the compressor and outdoor fan are not operating then you have an electrical issue governing both items. This could be a bad contractor, bad wire from the thermostat and would require electrical troubleshooting.If nothing is coming on from the initial indoor fan motor to the outdoor items then check your fuses/circuit breakers or could be a transformer issue.
- Another possibility is the compressor comes on but the outdoor fan does not, maybe it hums loudly etc. That could be a simple run capacitor needs to be replaced or possibly the fan motor itself.
- The fan motor may be on and the compressor may be off signaling a run capacitor problem or deeper compressor problems.
