A winter’s day, chilly and windy. It makes homecoming all that more pleasant! Preparing a hearty stew with biscuits and relaxing in front of the television, or playing indoor games with the family seems to end the day on a perfect note – until the heating systems fail. Then it seems the whole world has turned icy! There are a few things you can check to make sure the unit will run smoothly again.
Common Issues
Ice: Buildup of ice often happens on the coil during the winter months, which is found in the outside unit. However, when the whole unit is covered, it could cause serious damage. It should be dealt with swiftly, to avoid damage.
Air Temp Cooler Than Thermostat Setting: When the outside temperature drops below 35F degrees, auxiliary heat is required to help the heat pump, automatically, often in the form of electric resistance. This helps the overall system attain close proximity of the thermostat temp. And that is normal. If the air is a little chilly for you, turn up the thermostat a few more degrees for comfort. However, if the outside is above 35F, there could be a problem:
- Refrigerant may be low.
- There may be a blockage in the duct or refrigerant line.
- Compressor might not be running.
- Outdoor unit turned off.
- Leakage in the duct, allowing cold air inside.
- Compressor valve not functioning properly.
Flashing Red Light: When the thermostat flashes red, it means there is a problem with the outside unit. Sometimes simply turning off the whole system for ten minutes resets it. If that doesn’t work, you may wish to call for service. A few reasons may be:
- High pressure switch is open.
- The unit is defrosting too often.
- A sensor on the ambient or liquid-line may have failed.
When You Need Help
At Airco Service, we understand that you need help quickly, as the wind picks up and the heater shuts down. We make it our business to be available to you anytime , night or day. So when we hear your call for help, we head over quickly. Contact us today, so we can keep you warm.
When the air temperatures drop, heating systems may fail for a variety of reasons. After a quick check, you can decide whether or not you need to call for service. If you do, we will be ready to assist you immediately.