HVAC Owner’s Guide: Maintenance, Registration & Troubleshooting

This guide covers basic homeowner maintenance, registration reminders, and quick troubleshooting checks for common heat pump, air conditioner, and air handler issues.

Proper maintenance

Maintenance and repair should be performed by a properly trained service technician (and [fact missing: In-warranty unit repairs/diy_repairs_may_void_warranty]).
Other than the simple maintenance below, do not attempt adjustments or repairs.

1) Replace the air filter(s)

Use the same size and type as originally supplied (or consult your dealer): [fact missing: Air filter maintenance/use_same_size_and_type_as_original].
Install the filter with arrows pointing in the direction of airflow: [fact missing: Air filter maintenance/airflow_arrow_direction_required].
Disposable filters: replace [fact missing: Disposable air filters/replace_frequency].
During seasons when the unit runs more often: clean or replace the filter [fact missing: Air filter maintenance/clean_or_replace_frequency_high_use].

2) Maintain free outdoor coil airflow

Avoid planting right next to the unit: [fact missing: Outdoor coil airflow/avoid_planting_next_to_unit].
Keep the sides clear (don’t stack against or drape over the unit): [fact missing: Outdoor coil airflow/keep_sides_clear_not_stacked_or_draped].
Snow and ice can restrict airflow: [fact missing: Outdoor coil airflow/snow_and_ice_can_restrict_airflow].
After accumulation, clear snow from around the unit: [fact missing: Outdoor coil airflow/remove_snow_after_accumulation].

3) Clean the finish

Clean the exterior finish with soap and fresh water: [fact missing: Outdoor unit exterior finish/clean_with_soap_and_fresh_water].
For stubborn grease spots, use a household detergent: [fact missing: Outdoor unit exterior finish/stubborn_grease_spots_use_household_detergent].
Do not use lacquer thinner or other synthetic solvents: [fact missing: Outdoor unit exterior finish/avoid_lacquer_thinner_or_synthetic_solvents].
Coastal regions: a monthly fresh water rinse is recommended: [fact missing: Coastal region outdoor units/monthly_fresh_water_rinse_recommended].

4) Additional routine maintenance

Have your system inspected [fact missing: System inspection/recommended_frequency].
Preventative maintenance agreements may cover seasonal inspections: [fact missing: Preventative maintenance agreements/cover_seasonal_inspections].
Optional extended warranties: [fact missing: Optional extended warranties/is_available].

Product registration and warranty terms

Registered Limited Warranty terms are available if the product is registered within [fact missing: Product registration/registered_limited_warranty_requires_registration_within_days_of_installation] days of installation.
If the product is not registered within [fact missing: Product registration/base_limited_warranty_applies_if_not_registered_within_days] days, Base Limited Warranty terms apply.
Registration can be completed [fact missing: Product registration/registration_method].

Florida residents only

[fact missing: Florida warranty registration rule change/effective_date]: [fact missing: Florida warranty registration rule change/registration_not_required_to_maintain_warranty_rights].
For sales of residential property that include an HVAC system as a fixture occurring on or after [fact missing: Florida warranty registration rule change/home_sale_hvac_warranty_still_in_effect_if_on_or_after_date], the manufacturer’s limited warranty is still in effect on the HVAC system or a component of the system.

Humidity note

If indoor air exceeds [fact missing: Indoor fan mode recommendation/recommend_auto_mode_when_humidity_over_percent]% relative humidity (or simply feels uncomfortably humid), use the indoor fan only in AUTO mode.

Before you call for service: quick checks

Issue	Possible causes	What to do
Insufficient heating or cooling	[fact missing: Troubleshooting — insufficient heating or cooling/possible_causes]	[fact missing: Troubleshooting — insufficient heating or cooling/recommended_remedies]
Failure to operate	[fact missing: Troubleshooting — failure to operate/possible_causes]	[fact missing: Troubleshooting — failure to operate/recommended_remedies]
Auxiliary heat indicator on	When it’s [fact missing: Troubleshooting — auxiliary heat indicator/intermittent_indicator_normal_when_outdoor_temperature_f]°F outdoors, intermittent lighting is normal.	Call for service if the light stays on continuously when above [fact missing: Troubleshooting — auxiliary heat indicator/call_for_service_if_indicator_on_above_outdoor_temperature_f]°F outdoors, or if it comes on when it’s [fact missing: Troubleshooting — auxiliary heat indicator/call_for_service_if_indicator_comes_on_above_outdoor_temperature_f]°F outdoors.
No heating/cooling and blower does not operate	[fact missing: Troubleshooting — no heating or cooling (blower does not operate)/possible_cause]	[fact missing: Troubleshooting — no heating or cooling (blower does not operate)/recommended_remedy]
Unusual noise		[fact missing: Troubleshooting — unusual noise/recommended_action]

Safety reminders

Before removing access panels or doing any maintenance: [fact missing: Maintenance safety/disconnect_all_electrical_power_before_removing_access_panels] and [fact missing: Maintenance safety/disconnect_power_to_indoor_and_outdoor_units].
[fact missing: Maintenance safety/multiple_electrical_disconnect_switches_may_exist].
[fact missing: Maintenance safety/electric_shock_can_cause_injury_or_death].
For information or assistance: [fact missing: Safety and service warning/consult_qualified_installer_or_service_agency].
If heating isn’t operational in cold months: [fact missing: Cold weather precautions/prevent_freezeup_if_heating_not_operational].
Condensate drains: [fact missing: Condensate drains/check_and_clean_periodically]; [fact missing: Condensate drains/water_damage_risk_if_not_draining_freely].
Handling parts or reaching into the unit: [fact missing: Unit handling safety/beware_sharp_edges_when_handling_or_reaching_into_unit].