HVAC Troubleshooting Guide

Some of our customers prefer to do their own troubleshooting before calling us.   This information is to assist those customers in performing the initial troubleshooting of the problem.

Is your Heat Pump or Air Conditioner not operating? 

If not, check the switches on the thermostat to ensure it is turned on and then check the circuit breakers to the heating and cooling units on your home circuit breaker panel.   Reset circuit breakers and verify teh unit is on at the thermostat.   Still not working?   Check if here is an emergency cutoff switch located outside by the condensing unit.   Reset the emergency cutoff switch.   Turn the unit on at the thermostat.    If it is still not working, call Lloyd's. 

Are you not getting any cool air? 

Check your filter.   If it is dirty, clean it or replace it with a clean one.   The unit cannot cool propertly if the filter is dirty as the filter will prevent proper airflow across the evaporator coil.   If the problem persists, call Lloyd's.  

Do you see ice on the unit?

If you see ice forming on the condensing unit or the air handler, please turn the unit to the off position but leave the fan turned on to aid in the thawing of ice on the unit.   Call Lloyd's for further assistance.    Icing on the unit typically means you are low on refrigerant, which may be a signal that the unit is leaking refrigerant.   After the unit thaws, you may be able to turn it back on and operate it for awhile until it ices up again.   This can be helpful to allow you to ge some cool air prior to our arrival.   We cannot work on a unit that is frozen, so please do allow any ice to melt by turning the unit off as described prior to our arrival.  Call Lloyd's.    

Is the thermostat blank and the unit not running?

Check your circuit breakers to be sure the HVAC units are receiving power.   If the circuit breakers are set correctly, the blank thermostat display  probably means that the water safety switch or float swith has shut the unit off.   The condensation drain line may be clogged and the float switch shuts the unit off when the condensation water in the pan cannot drain.   Call Lloyd's.  

Is the unit making a loud noise?

Turn it off and call Lloyd's.  

You will need a wet vac, a garden hose, bleach, and time to do the job.   Remove the water standing the the pan located under the air  handler with the wet vac.    Locate the pvc pipe that is the drain line where it drains the water from the pan.   The end of the drain is typically located outside your home near the condensing unit.    Turn on the garden hose full force.    Force water into the pvc pipe for several times at very short intervals in an effort to dislodge the algae or other debris clogging the drain.   This may take several times with the water flowing forcefully into the pvc pipe.    If you are successful, the pvc pipe will begin to drain the algae buildup and other debris from the drain.     The water in the air handler pan should then begin to drain from the pan.   Add bleach to the pan after the water has all drained out and flush it with more water to help treat the drain line.   Add bleach to your drain line each month to help inhibit algae growth in the drain line.    We have seen some YouTube videos depicting this process.