Discover the best heating and air conditioning products for your home. American Standard provides whole home comfort with heating and cooling, air quality, and smart home solutions.

Air Conditioner Troubleshooting

The Air Conditioner Won’t Turn On 
In addition to checking for problems in your household fuse box, make sure to check the settings at your thermostat. You may simply have forgotten to set a temperature level that will cause your A/C to kick in at the expected time. Also, in some situations, a power surge or a tripped breaker may cause your American Standard air conditioner to turn itself off. You can troubleshoot this issue by checking the relevant switches on the indoor and outdoor units. 

The Air Conditioner Won’t Cool Properly 
In some circumstances, your American Standard air conditioner may turn on, but fail to provide adequate cooling for your home. Two easily solvable air conditioning problems may be responsible for this issue. First, check your thermostat settings and make sure that you have them set low enough to turn the system on at the appropriate time. Also, look for any open windows you might not have noticed previously. If undetected, even one such window can seriously decrease your system’s cooling power. 
The underlying cause of air conditioning problems like improper cooling may also be a malfunction in an A/C component called a compressor, which normally moves refrigerant through the system. 

Lack of Adequate Airflow 
A malfunctioning A/C system may fail to circulate enough cool air throughout your home. One of the key causes of this problem is a dirty filter somewhere in the system. To troubleshoot this issue, check all relevant locations and replace any filter with obvious signs of dirt/dust accumulation. 
Lack of adequate air conditioner airflow may also be the result of a dirty condenser coil. Problems in this area often arise when something obstructs the passage of air into your outdoor A/C unit (common candidates include leaves, debris and nearby hedges.) In turn, the obstructed flow of outdoor air can literally cause the system to freeze up. Look for telltale signs of water on the ground beneath the unit. If you notice any water spots, clear away all obstructions and turn the system off for a few hours. This should give the unit time to thaw out. 

Indoor Air Conditioner Leaks 
All air conditioners generate significant amounts of condensation during normal operation. Depending on where you live, the water produced by this process can total as much as several gallons a day. This large amount of water must have somewhere to go. Usually, it’s drained from your air handler through an attached tube or a section of PVC pipe. From there, it’s forced outside by gravity or a component called a condensate pump. 
If you notice water pools or active leaks below the indoor unit of your air conditioning system, you have several potential troubleshooting options. First, look for cracks or leaks in the tube or pipe responsible for channeling condensation out of the unit. Next, look for any signs of obstruction within the tube/pipe. If ice is blocking the line, you can follow up by checking for dirty air filters and a lack of adequate refrigerant. 

Strange Vent Noises 
Strange or unusual noises coming from your air conditioning/heating vents have a number of possible causes. Most of the time, what seems like air conditioning problems is nothing more than furniture obstructing the system’s return or supply vent openings. However, the humming, thumping or rattling sounds you hear may also indicate the presence of a clogged air filter. Unfortunately, if your troubleshooting steps eliminate these potential candidates, you may have bigger problems, including worn-out A/C system components or poorly installed or inadequately sized air ducts.

Furnace Troubleshooting

Not heating?  
Most likely, either the electrical system providing your furnace’s power has shorted or the power switch has blown. Try resetting your furnace’s circuit breaker. If it has blown, you will need to replace it. 
The furnace’s igniter might either be cracked or faulty. Check the part for cracks, if it is then replace the igniter. If it isn’t cracked, use a multimeter to test for continuity. 

Cycling irregularly?  
Your thermostat might be adjusting incorrectly, causing the furnace to cycle on and off too often. If your thermostat has an adjustable calibration scale, adjust the heat anticipator. If this does not stabilize the unit, you may have to replace the thermostat. 

Not blowing hot air?  
Your blower motor may have completely burnt out. If this doesn’t seem to be the case, then the connecting belt may have simply broken. Test to see if power is reaching the motor. If it does, but isn’t running, the motor has likely failed. If the motor runs but air doesn’t move, the connecting belt has probably broken. You’ll have to replace the belt. 

Blowing too much air?  
The control board regulates the amount of voltage that reaches each functioning part. If the relay that controls the blower motor has failed, it will continually send voltage to the motor. Replace the control board. 
The contact that controls the blower motor on your thermostat may be stuck closed, causing the blower motor to run continuously. Use a multimeter to check for continuity. If it appears the thermostat is the issue, replace it. 

Leaking water? 
Check the drain pipe. 

Starting and then stopping shortly after?  
Your furnace’s flame sensor monitors the burner, detecting whether a flame is present. If it is either defective or dirty, it will not be able to detect a flame. If dirty, clean the sensor using a fine abrasive pad. If faulty, replace the flame sensor.

Heat Pump Troubleshooting

Here is a general troubleshooting guide for American Standard heat pumps. Keep in mind that specific troubleshooting steps may vary depending on the model and series of your heat pump. Always refer to the user manual or contact American Standard customer support for detailed instructions and assistance.

Check Power and Settings:

• Ensure that the heat pump is receiving power by checking the circuit breaker and the on/off switch.
• Make sure the thermostat is set to the appropriate temperature and mode (heating or cooling).
• Verify that the fan settings on the thermostat are correctly set (Auto or On).

Inspect Air Filters:

• Check and clean or replace the air filters if they are dirty or clogged. Restricted airflow can affect the heat pump's performance.

Check Thermostat Settings:

• Confirm that the thermostat is set to the desired temperature and mode.
• Ensure the fan is set to Auto or On, depending on your preference.

Examine Outdoor Unit:

• Check if the outdoor unit is free of debris, such as leaves, dirt, or obstructions. Clear away any debris that could block airflow.
• Verify that the outdoor unit's fan is operating properly. If it's not spinning, there may be an issue with the fan motor or control board.

Check Air Vents and Registers:

• Ensure that the supply and return air vents and registers are not blocked or obstructed. Proper airflow is essential for efficient heat pump operation.

Verify Refrigerant Levels:

• Low refrigerant levels can affect the heat pump's performance. If you suspect a refrigerant issue, contact a professional HVAC technician to inspect and recharge the system if necessary.

Inspect Wiring and Connections:

• Check for any loose or damaged wiring connections in the thermostat, indoor unit, and outdoor unit. Tighten or repair connections as needed.

Restart the Heat Pump:

• Turn off the heat pump for a few minutes and then turn it back on. This can sometimes reset the system and resolve minor issues.

Contact a Professional:

• If you have performed the basic troubleshooting steps but the issue persists, it's recommended to contact a qualified HVAC technician. They can diagnose and resolve more complex problems and perform any necessary repairs.

Remember, this is a general troubleshooting guide, and specific instructions may vary based on your American Standard heat pump model. Always consult the user manual or reach out to American Standard customer support or a professional HVAC technician for accurate troubleshooting instructions.

Water Heater Troubleshooting

INSUFFICIENT HOT WATER 
Low gas pressure. Check with gas utility company. 
Thermostat set too low. Turn temperature dial to higher setting. 
Sediment or lime in tank. Drain/flush and provide water treatment if needed. 
Water heater too small. 

SLOW HOT WATER RECOVERY  
Thermostat set too low. Turn temperature dial to higher setting. 
Heater too small. 

DRIP FROM RELIEF VALVE  
Excessive water pressure. Use a pressure reducing valve and relief valve. 
Heater stacking. Lower the thermostat setting. 

SMELLY WATER  
Sulfides in the water. Replace the aluminum anode with a KA90 anode. 

CONDENSATION  
Temperature setting too low. Increase the temperature setting.  

THERMOSTAT FAILS TO SHUT OFF  
Improper calibration. Contact technician to replace thermostat. 

PILOT WILL NOT LIGHT OR REMAIN LIT 
Low gas pressure. Check with gas utility company. 
Air in gas line. Bleed the air from the gas line. 
No gas. Check with gas utility company. 
Dirt in gas lines. Notify utility-install dirt trap in gas line. 
Pilot line or orifice clogged. Clean, locate source and correct. 
Thermocouple connection loose. Finger tighten-then 1/4 turn with wrench. 
Thermocouple. Contact technician to replace thermocouple. 
Thermostat ECO switch open. Contact technician to replace thermostat.