HVAC systems are complicated networks of machinery that should be serviced by a certified professional. However, if your HVAC system seems to be malfunctioning, you can try a few basic steps, which may correct your problem, prior to calling a service professional. If you do not feel comfortable performing any of these tasks, however, do not hesitate to call East Tennessee HVAC & Plumbing.
- The Heating or Air Conditioning unit doesn’t turn on at all.
- Check the thermostat, make sure that it is appropriately set to either heat or cool and that it is set to the correct temperature.
- Check the main circuit breaker panel, make sure that the circuit breakers are in the “ON” position (you may need to move the circuit breaker to off and back to on to make sure).
- If you have a digital thermostat that requires batteries, make sure they are new and properly installed.
- The Heating or Air Conditioning unit doesn’t heat or cool very well.
- Make sure your supply and return vents are open and unobstructed.
- Check the return air filter and if it is dirty replace it with a quality filter.
- Check any secondary screens/filters for cleanliness.
- If you find any part of your system icing up DO NOT try to break or chip the ice away. It is likely that you can cause further damage.
If these steps don’t fix your HVAC problem make note of your findings and let us know when you call, also let us know if this is a continuing problem or if there has been recent maintenance by another company, this may help our technicians repair your system more quickly and reduce the cost of your call.
The best way to reduce your chances of experiencing problems with your heating or cooling unit is by having routine preventive maintenance performed by a qualified technician. CLICK HERE to check our Comprehensive Maintenance Program.
HVAC EXPLAINED:
A couple helpful terms that are used in this industry that may not be totally clear are HVAC and HVAC-R. HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. HVAC-R is Heating, Ventilation and Air Condition with the added Refrigeration. HVAC is more common that HVAC-R and sometimes the “V” is dropped for some applications and you see HAC-R.
You may be asking “What is HVAC”… Well HVAC is a broad reaching term that gets more complicated than what we can cover here but here is the basics….HVAC covers the following:
Heating covers geothermal, furnace, boiler, electric heat, central heat and air unit in a commercial, industrial or residential setting.
Ventilation relates to all ventilation systems to include industrial ventilation, home ventilation and heat recovery systems. Ventilation is often overlooked and is an important part of comfort and health.
AC or Air Conditioning is any method to cool or to improve the indoor air quality. Cooling of indoor air is handled by an air conditioner. “Air Conditioner” is a general term and covers several different technologies. One of our technical staff would be glad to explain in detail what would be the best technology for your particular application. Indoor air quality relates to our health is becoming an increasing concern, please refer to our page on INDOOR AIR QUALITY for more information.
Refrigeration mainly pertains to cooling a specific area such as a cooler, refrigerator, freezer or some other refrigerated space (small or large)
BACKUP POWER
Due to the amount and duration of power outages in most of our service area you may want to think about a source of emergency backup power generation to power your critical heat and cooling needs. We suggest Moore Power at www.moorepwr.com a local provider and installer of automatic backup generators.
HVAC Glossary
Air Handler – The portion of your air conditioner or heating system that forces air through your home’s ductwork.
Breaker (or Circuit Breaker) – A heat activated electrical device used to open an electrical circuit to protect it from excessive current flow.
BTU – A British Thermal Unit (BTU) is the unit of heat required to raise 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit. Used for both heating and cooling.
Compressor – The compressor squeezes the molecules of the refrigerant gas together, increasing the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant.
Condenser Coil – Part of the outdoor portion of a split-system air conditioner or heat pump. By converting refrigerant that is in a gas form back to a liquid, the coil sends heat carried by the refrigerant to the outside. Also referred to as an Outdoor Coil.
Ductwork – Hollow pipes used to transfer air from the Air Handler to the air vents throughout your home. Ductwork is one of the most important components of a home heating and cooling system.
EER – Energy Efficiency Ratings (EER) measure the efficiency with which a product uses energy to function.
Evaporator Coil – Part of a split-system air conditioner or heat pump located indoors. The evaporator coil cools and dehumidifies the air by converting liquid refrigerant into a gas, which absorbs the heat from the air. The warmed refrigerant is then carried through a tube to the outdoor unit (condenser coil). Also referred to as an indoor coil.
HVAC – Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
SEER – The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is a measure of the cooling efficiency of your air conditioner or heat pump. The higher the SEER number, the more efficient the system is at converting electricity into cooling power.
Ton – A unit of measure for cooling capacity. One ton = 12,000 BTUs per hour.
Zoning – The practice of dividing a home into small sections for heating and cooling control. Each section is selected so that one thermostat can be used to determine its requirements.
