Having your AC/Heating stop working during more extreme temperatures can be frustrating, but it doesn't have to be a prolonged experience or expensive. See below on guidance on what to do if your HVAC stops working.
First, remember that as a tenant it is your responsibility to:
- Change air filters: Supply and change heating and air conditioning filters at least once every three (3) months.
Please note that if a maintenance request is submitted and the this is the cause of the issue, you will be billed for the full invoice directly.
Second, ask these questions before submitting a maintenance ticket:
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Is there power running to your HVAC? You don’t hear sounds or see flames? If not, then:
- Ensure the switch attached to the furnace or nearby is in the ON position.
- If the switch is on, check the breakers.
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Is your HVAC filter dirty? All filters need to get changed every 3-6 months. Dirty filters are the most common cause of HVAC issues. They are designed to protect the blower motor and evaporator coil. Problems can cascade quickly if they are not replaced/cleaned frequently. To replace it:
- Locate the filter. It will be in one of 3 locations:
- The filter rack,
- furnace cabinet or
- in the return (vent) in the wall. You may need a screwdriver to remove the cover or grill. See below.
- Locate the filter. It will be in one of 3 locations:
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Is your thermostat programmed correctly?
- HVAC systems can malfunction because of thermostat settings. Make sure that the setting is correct and try turning the unit off and on again. There is a switch where you can manually turn it on and off
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Is the temperature outside too extreme?
- HVACs are only designed to change the temperature by no more than 20 degrees.
- Avoid running it 24 hours a day.
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Is the thermostat turning on?
- Pop off the front cover (just pull) and you should be able to replace it with a few AA batteries.
- Do you see any leaks or standing water around the furnace? Some HVACs have a catch pan which if full of water would automatically cut the power if there is a float switch present. If you see a leak, try the following:
- Identify if it is coming from the coil or the condensation drain line. If you are not sure, place a blue paper towel underneath to help you find the leak (especially if it is a slow drip)
- If the drain line is clogged, pull it out. Sometimes it’s glued in which would definitely require a certified HVAC tech. Give the drain line a hard tug and if it’s not glued in it should pop out. Clean out the gunk or blockage by scraping it out with a screwdriver or even better a shop-vac.
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Is the condensation pump knocked over? It needs to be in its original home and set level
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Is the freon line cold? This is the larger copper pipe that enters the furnace cabinet near the evaporator coil -
- It should feel like the inside of a refrigerator. If it is not cold, you will need a vendor to come out and fix the freon line or refill freon.
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Is your furnace not working?
- Look at the pilot light (the little screen). If the flames aren’t on, it typically means you don’t have gas. Check the other gas appliances in the house to determine whether or not to call the utility company.
If you've exhausted all of the above:
- Submit a ticket through your tenant Latchel portal through your unique link. If you do not have a link, please reach out to success@upandup.co or call 855-908-0600.
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What is considered an emergency ticket?
- HVAC issues are emergencies when the temperature is at or above 90 degrees.
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What happens if I submit an emergency ticket?
- We work to resolve emergency tickets within 24 hours.
- If a ticket is submitted and it is not an emergency, you may incur costs of the use of emergency vendors, working after hours, etc. Non-urgent tickets are usually resolved within 3 days.
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What happens after I submit a ticket?
- Our maintenance team will match you with a vendor and the vendor will reach out to you for your availability through the Latchel portal.
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What is considered an emergency ticket?