1. Make sure that your air filter is clean.
Also check to see if your registers or grilles
are blocked. This can cause insufficient airflow
and make the unit shut off on safety.
2. Check the settings on your thermostat. If
you want heat, make sure that the thermostat
is set to heat, and the temperature is set higher
than the current room temperature. If you want
cooling, make sure the thermostat is set to
cool and the temperature is below the current
room temperature. Also check to see if the fan
selector is in the on or auto position.
3. Check your breakers in the panel. Make sure
that they have not tripped; most new breakers
have a trip indicator. It does not hurt to turn
it off and then back on to rule this out. Make
sure the electric is turned off to your unit
before checking fuses in an outside disconnect.
Check your fuses for any obvious marks. On newer
fuses you may not be able to tell they are bad
by sight. You can try replacing them with fuses
of the same type and size.
4. Did someone accidentally bump the emergency
switch off? This switch is normally located
at the top of the basement stairs, or by the
unit. It should have a red switch plate labeled
gas burner or oil burner.
5. Have you recently changed your filter? Make
sure you have the furnace door firmly in place
or the door safety switch will keep the unit
from running.
6. Check your oil or gas tank. Make sure that
you have not run out of fuel.
7. Try turning the unit off at the thermostat,
it may have been a control that needed to be
reset.
Do I need to have preventative maintenance on
my unit?
Yes. Your heater and air conditioner
are just like your car. Sure it will run if you
just add gas, but sooner or later if not maintained
it will fail. By doing routine maintenance on
your equipment it will keep your unit running
as efficiently as possible. It also allows a technician
to check the safeties to make sure they are operating.
Remember that all manufacturers require maintenance
to be done in order to honor warranty coverage.
Air Conditioners & Heat Pumps:
Before the air conditioning season
you should have your dealer check the following
on your air conditioner or heat pump:
•Operating
pressures
•Refrigerant
Charge
•Filter
•Compressor
– amperage draws
•Fan motor
– amperage draws and voltage
•Capacitors
•Belts –
some newer units are direct drive
•Crankcase
heater
•Coils –
for excess dirt and debris
•Lubrication
of moving parts
•Tighten all
wiring connections
•Condensate
pan, drain line and pump
More information:
Air Conditioners
& Heat
Pumps
Furnaces: Gas, Oil and Electric
Before the heating season you
should have your dealer check the following on
your furnace:
•Burners
and pilot assemblies
•Burner adjustments
•Cracks in
the heat exchanger
•Check the
thermocouple
•Filter
•Vent piping
for cracks and obstructions
•Electronic
ignition
•Measure manifold
gas pressure
•Measure temperature
rise
•Set the heat
anticipator
•Check and
adjust belt tension
•Examine the
draft inducer
•Lubricate
the fan motor as appropriate
•Change oil
filter, nozzle and strainer ( oil only )
•Set electrodes
and air band ( oil only )
•Tighten all
wiring connections
•Check safeties
•Check Electric
Heat package
More information:
Furnaces
Humidifiers:
•Replace
your media pad or water panel at the beginning
of each season.
•Clean
out the reservoir with a mixture of vinegar and
water to remove old scaling and residue.
•At
the end of each season make sure to turn the water
off to your humidifier, empty the old water out
( in resevior type ) and unplug the unit for the
summer.
More information:
Humidifiers
Electronic & Media Air Filters:
•Typically
Media filters need to be replace once a year.
Exceptions would be an excessively dusty enviroment
due to a home remodel or new construction of your
home or in your development.
•Electronic
Air Cleaners
•Prefilters
in electronic styles could be gently washed with
water and a gentle cleaner and allowed to dry
before replacing them in the unit.
•Cells
should also be washed with a gentle cleaner and
allowed to dry thoroughly before replacing in
system. Care should be taken not to break the
fine ionizer wires, you should also be careful
not bend the fins in the cell. This can cause
arching and keep you unit from operating properly.
More information:
Air Filters
