AC and heating guides: what to do before you call
What to do right now, step by step and animated, when something goes wrong at home. If it is not fixed, we take you to HVAC contractors in your city.
DIY with care · 20 minAC not cooling: what to check before you callAC not cooling? Check the thermostat, filter, breakers and outdoor unit safely, step by step. If it still blows warm air, find an AC technician near you.
DIY with care · 15 minAC frozen: ice on the lines or the coil, what to doAC frozen, with ice on the lines or the coil? Set it to Off with the fan On, change the filter and let it thaw. If the ice comes back, call a technician.
DIY with care · 30 minAC leaking water inside the house: clear the drain lineAC leaking water inside the house? Turn it off, soak up the water and clear the condensate drain line with a wet/dry vac. Still leaking? Call a technician.
DIY · 10 minHow to change your air filter (and how often)How do you change an air filter? Read the size on the old one, point the arrow toward the unit and slide it in. Plus how often to do it and when to call.
DIY with care · 15 minAC won't turn on: what to check firstAC won't turn on? Check the thermostat batteries and settings, the AC breaker and the outdoor disconnect. Still nothing? Find an AC technician near you.
DIY with care · 15 minFurnace won't turn on: what to check firstFurnace won't turn on? Check the thermostat, the furnace switch, the breaker and the filter safely, step by step. Still nothing? Find a heating technician.
DIY · 10 minThermostat blank or not working: what to checkThermostat screen blank or not working? Replace the batteries, check the furnace switch and the breaker step by step. Still dark? Find an HVAC technician.
DIY with care · 15 minFurnace blowing cold air: how to fix itFurnace blowing cold air? Check the thermostat fan setting, the filter and the furnace switch in 15 minutes. Air still cold? Find a heating technician.
Call a proCarbon monoxide alarm going off: get out, then callCarbon monoxide alarm going off? Get everyone out, call 911 from fresh air and stay out until it is safe. Then have a heating technician find the source.
DIY with care · 30 minAC turns on and off every few minutes: how to stop short cyclingAC turning on and off every few minutes? Replace the filter, keep vent air off the thermostat and clean the outdoor unit. Still cycling? Call a pro.
DIY with care · 10 minAC making loud noises: buzzing, banging, squealingAC making a loud buzzing, banging or squealing noise? Learn what each sound means, what you can check safely and when to turn it off and call a technician.
DIY with care · 10 minOutside AC fan not spinning: what to check safelyOutside AC fan not spinning? Turn it off to protect the compressor, check the thermostat, breaker and disconnect, and leave the capacitor to a technician.
DIY with care · 20 minAC keeps tripping the breaker: what to doAC keeps tripping the breaker? Reset it safely once, replace the filter and clean the outdoor unit. If it trips again, leave it off and call a technician.
DIY · 30 minHow to clean your outdoor AC unit safelyOutdoor AC unit dirty or full of leaves? Turn off the power at the disconnect, clear around it and rinse the fins with a gentle hose, no pressure washer.
DIY with care · 20 minAC smells musty or like something burning: what to doAC smells musty or like something burning? A burning smell means turn it off and call. For a musty smell, check the filter and the drain line first.
DIY · 15 minUpstairs too hot: how to even out the coolingUpstairs too hot while downstairs is cold? Close the blinds, adjust the vents, run the fan and check the filter. If the gap stays big, a pro can help.
DIY with care · 15 minWeak airflow from the vents: what to checkWeak airflow from the vents? Replace the filter, open and clear the vents and returns, and look for ice. If the air is still weak, call an HVAC technician.
DIY · 15 minHouse feels humid even with the AC on: what to doHouse feels humid even with the AC on? Set the fan to Auto, replace the filter and check the drain. Aim for 30 to 50% humidity, or call a technician.
DIY with care · 20 minWindow AC not cooling: what to checkWindow AC not cooling? Check the mode, wash the filter, seal the gaps and press Reset on the plug. Ice on the coil or a buzz? Here is when to call.
DIY with care · 20 minMini split not cooling or blinking: what to doMini split not cooling or blinking? Write down the blink code, check the remote mode, rinse the filters and reset the power. If it keeps blinking, call.
DIY · 15 minVents whistling or ducts making noise: how to quiet themVents whistling or ducts making noise? Open the vents, replace the filter and tighten loose covers. If the ducts bang or the whistle stays, call a pro.
DIY with care · 20 minHeat pump blowing cold air in winter: what to checkHeat pump blowing cold air? See what the defrost cycle looks like, check the thermostat, the filter and the snow around the unit, and know when to call.
DIY with care · 15 minHeat pump covered in ice: what to doHeat pump covered in ice? Learn which frost is normal, clear the snow safely, and know when to switch to emergency heat and call a heating technician.
DIY · 20 minThermostat reading the wrong temperature: how to fix itThermostat reading the wrong temperature? Move heat sources away, compare it with a thermometer and fix the setting, step by step. Know when to call a pro.
DIY with care · 10 minFurnace making noise: banging, squealing or rattlingFurnace making noise? Find out which sounds are normal, which ones a new filter fixes, and when to turn the furnace off and call a heating technician.
DIY with care · 15 minFurnace turns on and off too often: how to fix short cyclingFurnace turning on and off too often? Replace the filter, open the vents and check the thermostat. If it keeps short cycling, call a heating technician.
Call a proGas smell near the furnace: what to doSmell gas near your furnace? Do not touch any switch, get everyone out and call 911 or your gas company from outside. Here is what to do, step by step.
DIY · 20 minOne room colder than the rest of the house: what to checkOne room colder than the rest of the house? Open and clear the vent, keep the door open, stop drafts and check the filter. Know when to call a technician.
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