Try Simple Things To Troubleshoot Before Calling Your Service Technician

your furnace or air conditioning units aren’t working or if you feel that they are not working efficiently you may need to call a technician. before you do that here is a simple checklist of things that you can do to check if there is a simple do-it-yourself fix to resolve the issues. Remember that regular maintenance of your systems will help to prevent the need for a service call and extend the life of your units.

Gas Furnace Equipment Checklist

Our heating units have been running a lot lately. There are still going to be some cold days ahead. If you are experiencing an issue with your heating unit follow this checklist to troubleshoot before you call for a service technician. Performing the simple regular maintenance tasks on the checklist will help maintain your systems and help to prevent the need for a service call and extend the life of your units.

  • Check to make sure that your thermostat is set in the “heat” position.
  • Make sure that the temperature setting on the thermostat is set above (or higher than) the indoor temperature showing on the thermostat.
  • Ensure that there is power to the furnace.
  • Try turning the fan to “ON” using the fan switch on the thermostat to test for power to the furnace.
  • Check the circuit breakers at the electrical panel.
  • Check the SSU switch (it looks like a light switch on a gray box located at the furnace) to be sure it is in the “ON” position.
  • Check to ensure the furnace filter isn’t in need of replacement.
  • All one-inch-thick furnace filters should be replaced monthly.
  • Wider two-inch thick and other high-capacity pleated filters can most likely be changed every other month or just six times per year.
  • If the system is running but you have not changed your filter, the filter needs to be replaced.
  • Check all return air grilles to make sure they are not blocked by furniture.
  • Check all supply air registers to make sure they are open and blowing air. (The return air grilles are normally located on your walls and are wide and flat).
Troubleshooting Your Air Conditioning Unit

Believe it or not, warm weather is on the way. Now is a great time to troubleshoot and perform maintenance tasks on your air conditioning unit. Follow this checklist for simple steps to ensure the unit is functioning at peak efficiency.

  • Check to make sure that your thermostat is set in the “cool” position.
  • Ensure that your outdoor air conditioning (condensing unit) is running.
  • Check the circuit breakers in the circuit breaker box (or electrical panel), most likely mounted to an outside wall in the back of the house. Make sure they are all in the “ON” position.
  • Check the outdoor unit “disconnect switch” to make sure it is in the “ON” position. The disconnect switch is located near the outdoor unit. (Normally a grey 8″ wide x 16″ high x 4″ deep box mounted to the wall).
  • Ensure that the blower motor in your furnace is running. (If the thermostat is in the “cool” position, the furnace blower should be running.)
    If not, check to make sure the on/off switch at the furnace is in the “ON” position.
  • Be sure that you have changed your filter in the furnace recently.
  • An extremely blocked filter can cause your outdoor air conditioner unit to shut down due to a lack of proper airflow.
  • Check all return air grilles to make sure they are not blocked by furniture. Furniture should be moved at least four inches away from return air grilles to allow for adequate air supply.
Remember that SkyTech provides Lifetime Technical Assistance to our clients.

Thank you to Bryant Heating and cooling for this information connect with them at  http://my.socialtoaster.com/splash/bTKYw/