Diagnostics of HVAC system based on visual and sound signatures

A method for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system diagnostics includes, in response to determining that a triggering event has occurred, entering a filter diagnostics mode. A first instruction is sent to a thermostat to shut down an HVAC system. A user is instructed to locate and remove a filter. The filter is classified as acceptable or dirty. In response to classifying the filter as acceptable, the user is instructed to the turn on the HVAC system. In response to determining based on the triggering event that a desired mode is a cooling mode, a first value of a room temperature is determined. The user is instructed to set a temperature setpoint below the first value. A second value of the room temperature is determined. In response to determining that the second value is less than the first value, it is determined that the HVAC system operates properly.