If your heating and cooling just isn’t turning on, a good place to start troubleshooting is with the batteries. Batteries are important for the thermostat, especially newer “smart” models, because when they go out, the thermostat might not be able to gauge what the temperature is, so it can’t send signals to the HVAC system. This prevents it from kicking the system into gear when your home gets either too hot or too cold  Batteries are even necessary for thermostats hooked up to the electrical, because they help to keep thermostat settings in place when the power goes out. When the settings are lost in an outage, the thermostat will probably need to be reprogrammed. So how do you know when the batteries need changing? How Do I Know If My Batteries Are Low Or Dead? The most obvious sign that you need to change your thermostat batteries is when the thermostat literally tells you the batteries are about to die! Most programmable models will now flash a low battery warning, usually...

Many HVAC issues, regardless of whether you’re using the heating or air conditioning, start with clogged air filters. When too much dust and debris gets sucked into your system and accumulates in the filter, it can severely restrict the system’s ability to force air through it, meaning your system has to work a lot harder to achieve the same results.    This often means it takes more energy for your system to do its basic cooling job when the temperatures start soaring. Changing your furnace filter in the summer can prevent overworking, and many other problems, too.  How Your HVAC Works The most common heating and air conditioning system is called the forced-air system. This uses a heat exchanger to heat or cool incoming air (it does both, don’t be put off by the name) before the air handler forces it out with a fan through your entire home via the supply system of ducts that snake their way through your home. As the cooled air flows throughout your home, the fan o...

The tankless water heater is becoming a standard piece of equipment in homes. Many models are much more efficient than your average tank models, and this also translates to less costly maintenance and more peace of mind. One question might remain, however: how do these heaters deal with water impurities? Many require a special water filter, installed on the incoming water line, to handle the stuff you don’t want. Why Add Filters To Your Tankless Water Heater? The water filter needs to be installed as water comes into the home to allow the filter to remove impurities before they reach the tankless water heater. Tank heaters usually deal directly with all the impurities you might find in your water, so keeping your tankless model in good order requires some extra protection. A good filter will take out sediment and minerals before they ever reach the heater, preventing the system from clogging up. Most of the problems are caused by hard water. This is water with an excess of dissol...

The weather is becoming warmer, and you’ll be getting ready to use the AC part of your HVAC system very soon. The parts that make the system pump out cold air haven’t been used in quite a while, though, which means they could use a professional tune-up. Even if your air conditioning unit is relatively new and in great… well, condition, you should still book an annual inspection! What Does Air Conditioning Service Look For? There are so many small components to your A/C unit: the filters, evaporator coils, coil fins, and drains for condensation are some of the more prominent ones, but there are many smaller wires, belts, and important components you probably overlook or don’t have the tools to access. If you want to get it up and running and keep it that way, even a quick look at the smallest parts can make a world of difference. Thinking about and accessing these parts is important, because after months of unused, things are going to be a bit dusty. Dirt, dust, and all sorts of deb...

Many problems with HVAC systems start with the thermostat. When this important piece of equipment fails to control the temperature properly, it can trick you into thinking you have a worse problem then what’s actually wrong. If you’re struggling with the following problems, don’t tear apart your furnace to find the issue – the fix could be a whole lot simpler! Your HVAC System Won’t Turn On  The biggest tell of a faulty thermostat is that your home’s heating and cooling system won’t turn on at all. Believe us, you’ll know when this becomes the problem. Before you get worried about a major HVAC repair, just have a look at the thermostat first; something could be preventing it from sending signals to your furnace and air conditioner. The HVAC System Doesn’t Respond To Settings Changes If your heating and cooling isn’t responding to a change in the temperature or setting almost immediately, it’s very likely that something is wrong with your thermostat’s ability to communicate wit...

Your furnace should last at least fifteen years before it needs a major overhaul or replacement. But how do you get it to that fifteen-year mark and beyond? The manufacturers tell you that the warranty is the way to go. Warranties are supposed to cover your HVAC in case of a breakdown, but that coverage only goes so far. What are you supposed to do when you can’t afford to extend the warranty and you’re out of your coverage? There are alternatives to purchasing an extended warranty on your HVAC system . You should know what coverage the manufacturer will automatically include, and how regular upkeep can save you money in the long run! Warranties For Furnaces Most furnaces, like other appliances, will come with a Manufacturer’s warranty . These can vary in length, and can even cover different components of the HVAC system. The part that most consistently comes with its own warranty is the heat exchanger. This large section actually does the heating, so it is the most expensive to ...

Changing the furnace filter in summer strikes a lot of people as pretty weird. It only takes one good heatwave to make people forget that they even have a furnace, let alone one that needs preventative maintenance in the summertime. Tell them to change the filter in July and, seeing as the furnace is the last thing they want to use right now, they’ll just forget about it. The thing is, the way your (HVAC system) operates makes changing your furnace filter in summer a necessary bit of preventative maintenance ! Here’s why you shouldn’t neglect it, even as the heat pushes to 40 degrees. Air Conditioning and the Furnace: Closely Connected The Importance of the Furnace Filter Most HVAC systems have a lot of ductwork, through which both the cool air from your central air conditioning and the heated air coming from your furnace. The ducts also allow your system to exchange air from outside and within your home. Your system is doing a lot of work using the same pathways, which means tha...