Operating Tips
A basic residential heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system consist of three pieces of equipment, a gas fired furnace or electric air handler, an evaporator coil and a condensing unit.
This equipment in conjunction with the duct system and thermostat is what keeps your home comfortable.
Keeping your HVAC equipment clean will help keep your utility costs down and can greatly increase the life of the equipment.
The following tips are provided as information for a basic course of preventive maintenance.
It is recommended that a licensed professional HVAC technician perform any maintenance or repair to your HVAC equipment.
1. Check and replace your air filters regularly.
Some of today's one inch disposable filters are very efficient at catching dust and other particulates and require more frequent replacement.
A clogged air filter will strain the operation of the a/c system which can lead to excessive utility costs and expensive repairs or system failure.
2. Have the gas fired furnace or electric air handler inspected annually. A poorly operating gas furnace can lead to increased operating costs or unsafe operating conditions which can be hazardous to life and property.
Please provide access to the gas fired furnace or electric air handler, stacking seasonal items on top of or around the equipment prevents service access and can be a safety hazard to life and property.
If you have any concerns about your gas fired furnace or electric air handler please call Down Mechanical for an appointment.
Have the evaporator coil inspected (if accessible) for cleanliness and to insure the primary condensate drain pan and drain line are clear and free from obstructions and have the auxiliary drain pan and drain line inspected and tested.
A clogged or inoperative drain can cause costly damage to finished ceilings, carpeting and furnishings.
Please don't pour bleach into the auxiliary drain pan (the pan visible beneath the evaporator); bleach can corrode the pan to the point of failure which can lead to costly repairs.
If you have any questions about the condensate drain system for your HVAC equipment please contact Down Mechanical for an appointment.
3. Have the condensing unit (the machine in your backyard) serviced regularly. Once a year is recommended.
Keeping this machine clear and free of grass clippings, overgrown vegetation, mulch and periodically washing the coil will greatly decrease the chances of breakdown.
Please don't stack unused lawn equipment, furniture, plant pots, bags of dirt or anything else against or on top of the condensing unit, the equipment is fragile and can suffer refrigerant leaks if a sharp object punctures the coil or can become restricted if a heavy item crushes a refrigerant line or blocks the fan discharge which can lead to costly repairs or equipment failure.
Keep a clear path to the unit with ample room for service and for air flow to and from the unit.
Keep at least five feet of unobstructed space above the fan discharge.
If you have concerns about these clearances please contact Down Mechanical for an appointment.
4. Using the programmable features of your thermostat can save you money off your electric utility bill.
Some thermostat models have an automatic switching function from heat to cool.
It is recommended to use the programmable features of your thermostat.
Some thermostats are battery operated so be certain to check and replace these batteries as needed, usually once a year.
5. If your a/c is not cooling check the thermostat to be certain it is calling for the unit to cool.
Check the circuit breaker to verify that it is in the on position.
If the breaker is tripped you may re-set it once by turning it to the off position and then firmly back to the on position.
If the breaker trips again leave it turned off and call your HVAC technician.
If the thermostat is on and the breaker is not tripped but your a/c is not cooling please turn it off and call your HVAC technician for service.
Leaving the system on while a malfunction is present can lead to more serious issues and costly repairs.
6. If you have any questions or concerns about your HVAC system please contact Down Mechanical for an appointment.
TACLB011303C
This equipment in conjunction with the duct system and thermostat is what keeps your home comfortable.
Keeping your HVAC equipment clean will help keep your utility costs down and can greatly increase the life of the equipment.
The following tips are provided as information for a basic course of preventive maintenance.
It is recommended that a licensed professional HVAC technician perform any maintenance or repair to your HVAC equipment.
1. Check and replace your air filters regularly.
Some of today's one inch disposable filters are very efficient at catching dust and other particulates and require more frequent replacement.
A clogged air filter will strain the operation of the a/c system which can lead to excessive utility costs and expensive repairs or system failure.
2. Have the gas fired furnace or electric air handler inspected annually. A poorly operating gas furnace can lead to increased operating costs or unsafe operating conditions which can be hazardous to life and property.
Please provide access to the gas fired furnace or electric air handler, stacking seasonal items on top of or around the equipment prevents service access and can be a safety hazard to life and property.
If you have any concerns about your gas fired furnace or electric air handler please call Down Mechanical for an appointment.
Have the evaporator coil inspected (if accessible) for cleanliness and to insure the primary condensate drain pan and drain line are clear and free from obstructions and have the auxiliary drain pan and drain line inspected and tested.
A clogged or inoperative drain can cause costly damage to finished ceilings, carpeting and furnishings.
Please don't pour bleach into the auxiliary drain pan (the pan visible beneath the evaporator); bleach can corrode the pan to the point of failure which can lead to costly repairs.
If you have any questions about the condensate drain system for your HVAC equipment please contact Down Mechanical for an appointment.
3. Have the condensing unit (the machine in your backyard) serviced regularly. Once a year is recommended.
Keeping this machine clear and free of grass clippings, overgrown vegetation, mulch and periodically washing the coil will greatly decrease the chances of breakdown.
Please don't stack unused lawn equipment, furniture, plant pots, bags of dirt or anything else against or on top of the condensing unit, the equipment is fragile and can suffer refrigerant leaks if a sharp object punctures the coil or can become restricted if a heavy item crushes a refrigerant line or blocks the fan discharge which can lead to costly repairs or equipment failure.
Keep a clear path to the unit with ample room for service and for air flow to and from the unit.
Keep at least five feet of unobstructed space above the fan discharge.
If you have concerns about these clearances please contact Down Mechanical for an appointment.
4. Using the programmable features of your thermostat can save you money off your electric utility bill.
Some thermostat models have an automatic switching function from heat to cool.
It is recommended to use the programmable features of your thermostat.
Some thermostats are battery operated so be certain to check and replace these batteries as needed, usually once a year.
5. If your a/c is not cooling check the thermostat to be certain it is calling for the unit to cool.
Check the circuit breaker to verify that it is in the on position.
If the breaker is tripped you may re-set it once by turning it to the off position and then firmly back to the on position.
If the breaker trips again leave it turned off and call your HVAC technician.
If the thermostat is on and the breaker is not tripped but your a/c is not cooling please turn it off and call your HVAC technician for service.
Leaving the system on while a malfunction is present can lead to more serious issues and costly repairs.
6. If you have any questions or concerns about your HVAC system please contact Down Mechanical for an appointment.
TACLB011303C