What to Do If Your Split System HVAC Is Playing up
If you live in a more temperate part of the country, you may be lucky enough to enjoy the summer without any air conditioning. You can usually leave the doors and windows open and take advantage of mother nature's cooling breeze instead, while those A/C unit switches remain firmly in the off position. However, with the advent of higher temperatures, you may be looking for some artificial help to keep your family happy, but your system is not responding. What could be wrong with your split air-conditioner, and how can you get things back to normal?
Power Supply
If the system does not turn on at all, then you should first check the more obvious areas. Make sure that the wiring on the outside of the unit is still intact and check to see that the fuse is still active. You may have to reset the breaker or the fuse, but if these actions do not do the trick, you should call in a professional rather than risk any amateur maintenance.
Thermostat
If the system does activate but is not able to blow any cold air, then once again, start with the obvious. Is the thermostat set to the correct temperature? Try turning it all the way down and then let the system run for a while to see if it reactivates. Look closely at the condenser and evaporator and clean any residue that may have accumulated over the winter. These components require an adequate supply of air to work properly.
Water Issues
Your system needs to be able to evacuate excess water if it is to function correctly. Have a close look at the drain line to make sure that it is free of any obstruction and able to do its job properly. Otherwise, water will back up into the handling unit, and this could cause the system to deactivate to avoid water damage.
Filtration
Check the filter. This should be changed or cleaned regularly if your A/C system is to function correctly. While you are at it, look at the vents to see if they are clear and unobstructed as well. If you see that they are in need of some TLC, bring in a professional contractor to do the job properly.
Refrigerant Issues
Finally, your system will definitely malfunction if there is a refrigerant leak. It is difficult to detect this by yourself and another reason why you should bring in an HVAC contractor to check for issues and to refill the refrigerant as needed.
For more information about split systems or other AC units, speak with a professional.