Some air conditioners act as heaters during the cold months. If you find a Carrier air conditioner not heating when it has the capacity to, it is crucial to test the heater and fix possible issues.
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Carrier Air Conditioner Not Heating – How to Fix
If you find that a Carrier air conditioner is not working, the cause may be as simple as a dirty air filter or incorrect thermostat settings. It may also be as complex as the refrigerant level being too low or the ducts leaking. The following are possible causes of the heater not working and how to fix them:
1. Defective Thermostat
Before deciding that the thermostat is defective, it is important to check the settings. Sometimes, the settings are incorrect, both for the mode of operation and temperature. If cool air comes from the air conditioner vents, it is an indication that the setting may be on Cool. the same applies if the setting is on Fan.
Adjust the settings, wait for the air conditioner to kick into action, and see if it releases warm air. If the unit blows warm air, the problem is fixed. But if not, the thermostat may be defective. Sometimes, thermostats need calibration; bumping or dirt can cause the thermostat to be off by some degrees. Follow instructions in the user manual to recalibrate the thermostat.
2. Tripped Circuit Breaker
The air conditioner should have a dedicated breaker outside the house. A number of things can cause it to trip, such as a spike in the voltage supply. So, it helps to check the breaker and turn it on if it is tripped. Ensure you follow due instructions to reset the breaker before turning it on again. But if the circuit breaker trips again and keeps doing so, it needs professional attention. Consider contacting Carrier for further assistance.
3. Leaky Air Duct
The air duct is the passageway through which cold or warm air flows into the home if you are using a central air conditioner. If the ducts start leaking, the air flows into the walls or floors, depending on the installation. That means you do not get enough warm air no warm air at all because of the loss. Only the installation team or a qualified HVAC technician can correctly check and fix this problem if it applies.
4. Dusty Air Filter
The air filter in an air conditioner removes dust, pollen, and other particles from the air before it enters the air conditioner. As a result, the filter gets dirty and needs to be checked and replaced as often as possible. Most experts recommended cleaning it every two weeks and replacing it every three months.
Determine whether or not the filter is the reusable or the disposable type. If it is the reusable type, remove and clean it, allow it dry, and put it back into the air conditioner. But if it is the disposable one, discard it and purchase a replacement filter. Check out this article for steps to cleaning the filter.
The filter restricts the free flow of air, whether it is warm or cool if it is dirty. Therefore, it is crucial to check it as often as recommended for your health and the unit’s functionality. As insignificant as it may seem, the filter can cause many issues with an air conditioner, and no airflow is just one of them.
5. Power Switch
The indoor unit has a power switch and the outdoor unit has a power disconnect. Typically, you can turn off the units, independent of each other, using the switch or disconnect box. Since it is possible, it is also likely that the disconnect box or switch may be off. Check the indoor switch and turn it on if it is off. Also, check the box outside; if it is on without working, the problem may be that it has blown fuses. Hire a technician to check and fix the issue.
6. Faulty Reversing Valve
If the air conditioner’s cooling function works well but the heating function does not, it may stem from a faulty reversing valve. It is a complex issue but you may suspect that if nothing else seems to fix the problem. Therefore, hire an HVAC technician to check the unit to determine whether or not the problem is from the valve.
7. Insufficient Refrigerant
The refrigerant in the closed system should not deplete. You never have a need to worry about a drop in the level unless there is a leak in the system. Different factors cause a leak in the closed system, but to fix the leak, you will need professional help. Ensure you properly ventilate the house while waiting for the technician to come.
8. Frozen Condensing Unit
In the Heat mode of operation, the air conditioner does the reverse of the cooling function. The condenser blows cold air out while the air handler blows warm air into the house. As a result, the condenser can freeze, especially if the outside weather is cold. And if the condenser freezes, it cannot move warm air into the house and release cold air.
Inspect the condenser for signs of frost, especially along the pipes. An excessive amount of frost on them indicates a problem and a professional technician should fix it. The heater should typically have a little ice on it and the unit has a defrost mode to melt it from time to time. However, if the ice is too much, turn the unit off and find help.
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Quick Recap
If a Carrier air conditioner has a problem heating, it is best to call for professional help. But before doing that, follow this guide to troubleshoot different parts of the unit and fix them if they are faulty. A Carrier air conditioner not working is an inconvenience but it is usually not difficult to fix. Sometimes, you need a new heater, and Carrier is in the best place to do the job.