How to fix typical HVAC problems
There is nothing worse than getting up cold in the middle of the night.
Its one thing if you just need to pull the cover. Its an entire different issue if your heater is working poorly or not working at all.
With a little diy experience you can repair and fix your heating system yourself. Your best bet though is to have a maintenance check list for your heater to prevent the problem.
Today I have something that will make you seem like you have the knowledge to take on some heater repairs.
Whether you have a conventional gas furnace or a high performance gas heating system comprehending how your furnace/heating system works is crucial. You need to comprehend the basic workings of the device so you understand what to search for when there is something incorrect.
Inspect your thermostat to ensure it is turned on.
It might sound silly however check the thermostat to ensure it is set on "heat" which it is set at least five degrees above room temperature. You may be shocked the number of service calls are made without inspecting this!
Here are a couple of thermostat checks to conduct yourself:
Inspect the battery on the thermostat. You might need to change the batteries on your thermostat. If your houses thermostat unit operates on batteries make sure you are altering them at least once a year or as needed.
Some thermostats are wired to your homes electrical system while others utilize batteries. How is yours powered? Often those that use batteries will flash a low-battery symbol when they require a replacement.
Open the thermostat and gently blow any dust or particles that may have clogged it.
Make certain the date and time is correct on electronic or programmable models - the system might be on a timer.
Inspect the breaker. If on shut off the breaker and check the fuse for the furnace.
Heating system is not producing heat - try to reset the Circuit Breaker
Here are any variety of small reasons that this could happen. Initially validate that the thermostat is set to "Heat." Then try moving the dial up or down a few degrees to examine if an obvious difference is felt.
If there is no result check to see if maybe a circuit breaker or fuse was tripped or blown.
Go to your homes breaker panel and search for the circuit that manages the heating system. Youre wanting to see whether its thrown to the "Off" position or whether its in the middle.
By hand check the breaker. Turn it back and forth.
Make sure it is remaining in the "On" position.
This will reset the breaker. If this does not do the technique you have a problem with either the electrical wiring in the circuit or the circuit breaker itself.
The furnace is not producing sufficient heat. Examine and alter a clogged filter.
A heater that struggles to produce heat is a different matter from one that has in some way stopped working.
In the case of a poor-performing heater that does not warm the home sufficiently first make sure that the air filter is tidy and in great condition if not new.
This is an easy however vital part of furnace maintenance. Among the most typical factors to have a heater not working is a blocked filter. It likewise happens to be the simplest maintenance chore.
Changing your heater filter routinely is a fast and simple task and goes a long method in safeguarding HVAC elements and improving your inside air quality.
Find your filter - Some heating systems have their filter in the consumption. This most likely looks like a grate in a flooring ceiling or wall. Other filters reside in the furnace itself.
Examine your filter - You can inform if the time has concerned change it by holding it as much as the light. If no light shines through the filter needs altering. A dusty filthy smell from the vents when the blower switches on is another great sign you ought to alter your furnace filter.
Change your filter - Make sure your heater is switched off. No air ought to be coming out. Check the instructions your filter points. Filters are made to trap matter blown from one direction. Installing your filter upside-down can minimize its effectiveness.
Cleaning the particles that develops on your filters will aid with the flow of air. When your air filter is clogged your air handler should work harder to compensate for the blockage of air flow. In addition to driving up your utility costs the reduced air circulation through your heating and cooling system can cause your heat exchanger to get too hot and turn off too rapidly.
Filters clean up the air headed into the heating system and the heated air returned into the home. An unclean stopped up filter limits the air flow ultimately triggering heat and pressure to build up in the heating system.
Newer more effective heating systems are delicate to the issue and will often close down prior to an unclean filter triggers more trouble. For other units the furnace will continue to run but with less heat output and minimized effectiveness.
Safety turn on a heater door
If your heating system is not operating among the first things you should do is inspect the security turn on the heater door. A furnace door safety switch prevents the fan and burner from coming on while the access panel is eliminated.
Heating systems have a security switch that pops out when the door is eliminated. The door must be in place for the switch to be activated and for the heater to run.
If you discover you require to install a new security switch follow the step by action guidelines on How to Install a Furnace Door Safety Switch.
Shut the power off. Preparation the blower door. Wire the safety switch. Examine and test the setup.
Keep the area around your furnace clean and unblocked
This may appear like an obvious idea however in some cases house owners with hectic lives forget to take notice of locations of their house like the basement.
A basement can end up being messy which in turn can result in the location around the furnace being filled with various belongings and particles. Not just does a clean heating system function much better it looks better.
Avoid storing flammable substances or products near your heating system. Crowding your heating system can cause unexpected fires substantial damage to your home and threat to your family and family pets.
Nevertheless convenient it may appear to simply "save it there" for the summer season consider the possibility that you may well forget any products youve left on or near your furnace. Do not take possibilities provide your furnace the room it needs to operate securely.
Additionally vacuum and tidy frequently around your heating system. While you might have eliminated any and all flammable items from the location keep in mind that dust and lint can develop and develop a fire threat. An excess quantity of dust and lint can also cause your filter to become stopped up faster than typical needing more frequent replacement.