Living in a hot Southern state like Texas means that you will have to rely on your HVAC system more than you might like to!
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As a result, it is important that you have a gameplay plan in place for when the HVAC system inevitably fails. You need to make sure that you are prepared for the day when it does inevitably fail on you. Here are some of the things you should do if that happens.
Check for Common Causes
As with many other appliances, there are some common causes of failure that you might be able to address on your own. Checking for these signs is a must as it could be a simple fix that quickly gets your system back online and cooling your home once more. One of the simplest reasons why your HVAC system fails simply could be that the filter inside it is dirty and needing to be replaced. If it becomes too dirty and clogged with filth, there is a chance that it will not allow air to flow through it and it can cause a system shutdown. Luckily, changing your filters regularly is a pre-emptive move that you can take to ensure that this cannot happen.
It could also be something as simple as a breaker having been tripped within your electrical system. When this happens, all you have to do is reset the breaker (though you should get an electrician out to look at the system if you experience multiple trips in a short space of time).
Call a Repairman
There are several other errors that can arise within your HVAC system that mean that it would be wise to contact a professional HVAC repair contractor. The HVAC system can be more complicated than it initially appears to be, and this can then result in you not having the knowledge or expertise needed to be able to fix it yourself. Problems like leaking refrigerant or improperly balanced dampers are going to be outside your scope of knowledge. Finding a qualified HVAC repair contractor means that you can be certain that these repairs will take place to the right standard, and that they will address any other issues that might be present in the system.
Since a HVAC system can be vital in the summer sun, you will often find that many HVAC contractors have an emergency callout service. If your system goes down in the middle of a heatwave, you want to be able to get it back as soon as you can. They will be able to get it on track for you.
Cool Your House Down
Even with the promise of a contractor on the way, you should work to get your home cooled down as much as you can. If you sit around with the AC off and nothing else at play, this is going to only cause you to become extremely uncomfortable as you wait for the contractor to arrive. There are several steps that you can take to drive down the temperature in your home a little, and these should be undertaken until the HVAC is fixed.
First up should come the fans. Placing box fans at your windows can be a great way to vent the hot air out in the meantime. Make sure that the fans are facing outwards, as this will help to draw the hot air of the room out instead of pulling the potential heat of the outside world in. If you have a ceiling fan or fans in your bathroom that are not connected to the HVAC system, now is going to be the time to switch them on. Make sure that they are running counter-clockwise as this will help to create a wind chill effect that forces the warmer air up and cooler air down.
Draw your blinds – particularly if you have white-backed blackout ones – as these can help to deflect the heat of the sun and keep your rooms cool. Try to avoid using the stove for meals as this is only going to add heat to your rooms. Finally, make sure that you and your household are all properly hydrated at all times, and that you are not overheating while you wait.
Be Prepared
Having a HVAC system simply isn’t enough, you need to assume that it is going to fail on you one day and plan accordingly. Luckily, there are several things that you can do to ensure that you are going to be prepared for your AC potentially failing.
Familiarise yourself with your system, whether it is one that you gain when you buy the property or one that you install yourself. This is going to put you in the best possible position to know what to do if you do have a failure!
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