General AC Information

Choosing the Best HVAC System for Your Home

When choosing a new comfort and the best hvac system for your family, you need to consider which brand is good and what size system your home needs. There are many brands on the market today and all claiming that their unit is the best. My advice is to stick with the brand that only manufactures heating and air conditioning equipment.

Some HVAC brands are appliance companies that also make HVAC equipment. I will looking for one of the major HVAC brands such as Carrier, Brian, Trane, York or Lennox. These are companies that only focus on heating and air conditioning. As far as technology, there’s not a lot of big secrets in the HVAC industry and everyone makes good quality equipment. However most established heating and air conditioning companies choose to align themselves with one major brand.

This doesn’t mean that they can’t sell other air conditioner brands if the application warrants it. They can supply just about any other brand, but most major brands have such an extensive product line. It’s rare that a match can’t be found. It’s in your best interest when an air conditioner company sticks with one brand. Here’s why if you’re buying one brand they can leverage the strength of a strong long-standing relationship to help get lower prices and better resolutions if any problems were to occur.

Why it’s Important to Have the Right Sized HVAC System

When it comes to HVAC system selection, your home will pick the size of the unit. By that, I mean the tonnage or size of the system that’s right for your house is determined by the square footage, infiltration rate, exterior exposure, duct system design and other factors that you have no control over. The right size system is critical. A system that’s oversized will cause unnecessarily high utility bills. Uneven temperatures and poor humidity control. An undersized unit will run all the time and still not be able to keep you comfortable

You’re going to hear a lot of industry jargon such as SEER, HSPF and AFUE. These are all terms that describe how efficiently the equipment operates. Like miles Gowan for your car the higher the efficiency number the lower the cost of operation.

SEER means Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and provides an annual measure of the efficiency of the air conditioner. Higher numbers use less energy.
AFUE means Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. Higher numbers use less energy.
HSPF means Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. Higher numbers use less energy.

Consider Your Total Costs

Basically the more money you pay upfront for a system the better it will perform for you. The bottom line, best HVAC systems are quieter, last longer and save you money in the long run. Buying an HVAC system is not like buying a TV. You don’t just buy it and bring it home and plug it in. Proper installation is critical and unfortunately for consumers, the installing dealer can be the weak link in the chain.

Tips for Choosing the Right HVAC Dealer

With all those heating and air conditioning dealers listed in the yellow pages and on the Internet, how do you know which one to choose?

Don’t assume that all HVAC dealers are the same. They’re not! If you just want to get your heating or cooling back on. And don’t really care how well the system performs or about how long it lasts or whether you actually save any money on your utility bills, the yellow pages are full of HVAC dealers with a few tools that can get the job done.

But if you’re looking for a long-term relationship with a strong company that will be there to service your HVAC system for years to come, here’s a few things to look for.

Do they have a legitimate place of business to operate the company or are they just working out of their home?
Are their technicians certified by an independent test agencies such as Nate?
Are they members of a national trade association?
Do service personnel wear company uniforms with the company’s name proudly displayed?
Do they offer true 24-hour emergency service?
Do they have a written satisfaction guarantee?
Are they properly licensed by the state?
Do they comply with the state laws and codes?

These are just some of the things that HVAC company needs to do to meet your needs now and in the future. It takes dedication training experience and a quality reputation to stay in business for a long time.

A quality HVAC company assumes a serious responsibility to select the proper size and type of equipment that’s right for your individual circumstances. If they’re not taking lots of measurements of your home and ductwork or if they’re not asking a lot of questions and trying to get to know you, how can they put together a proposal that’s tailored to your individual needs?

So if you want to get the best value for your money, solve existing discomfort or dust problems, and end up with a new comfort system you’ll be proud to own and enjoy for many years to come, better take the time to identify which is the Best HVAC System for Your Home.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace an AC Fan Motor?

Posted By Mas Broto

One of the most common AC problems is a broken fan motor since they are constantly working and exposed outside to the weather. If you identify that the condenser fan motor is the problem, you will most likely prefer to know how much the part and the repair services will cost.

There are so many different parts of an air conditioning unit. It can be difficult to know what will need to be replaced and how much it is going to cost to get the unit fixed. Some parts cost only $10 while others can be more than $1000.

Signs You May Need a New AC Fan Motor

If your outdoor air conditioning unit is bringing in noises, the type of noise can help you identify what’s wrong. If the problem is a failing AC fan motor, you may discover one of the following sounds:

Rattling
A rattling sound could indicate that the fan motor or its components are loose or failing.

Screeching
A screeching sound generally means your fan motor’s bearings are failing. This is a much more urgent condition and should be resolved immediately.

How Much Does an AC Fan Motor Cost?

When you have air conditioner fan motor problems, in most cases it will cost about $300 to $600 to replace. It’s very important to get this fixed quickly, since without a working fan motor your air conditioner’s compressor could be yet another affected. AC Compressor repair is much more costly, almost always running closer to $2,000.

If you do it yourself a replacement AC fan motor will come between $60 and $150, while a start run capacitor and electrical relays are usually $20 to $30 each.

In some cases, your AC fan motor may be under warranty. It is important to know what kind of warranty you have on your AC unit. A parts warranty is likely to cover the costs for 5-10 years after AC installation. Most parts warranties only cover the cost of the part, and they will not cover labor costs. Some parts warranties will also be invalid if you didn’t register the unit. Labor warranties are given by HVAC contractors to guarantee their work. Most of these warranties will last for a year or so after installation.

Avoiding Air Conditioning Fan Motor Breakdown

To prevent the condenser fan motor functioning well for an extended time, you will need to maintain with routine service. While AC service requires a small upfront cost, it will definitely help you save money on expensive repairs down the line while also extending the lifespan of your HVAC system.

Call HVAC repair service to come out for routine maintenance checks to ensure that your fan motor is in good shape. These AC maintenance checks are generally a minimal cost compared to a massive failure.

How Does an Air Conditioner Work?

Posted By Mas Broto

The actual process behind the how an air conditioner works is the transfer of heat. The air conditioner gathers heat from one area of the system and moves it to another. Removing the heat creates cold, and that cold is pumped through your home to keep you comfortable. To make this process happen, the system has several important components that all must work together to cool the air inside your home.

Air conditioners come in a variety of styles and sizes, but they all perform on a similar simple principle. An air conditioner provides cold air inside your home by actually removing heat and humidity from the indoor air. It returns the cooled air to the indoor space, and transfers the unwanted heat and humidity outside.

An air conditioner or cooling system uses a specialized chemical called refrigerant. The machine has three main mechanical components:

Compressor
Condenser coil
Evaporator coil

These components work together to quickly convert the refrigerant from gas to liquid and back again.

The compressor and condenser are usually located on the outside air portion of the air conditioner. The evaporator is located on the inside the house, sometimes as part of a furnace. That’s the main component that heats your house.

The working fluid gets there at the compressor as a cool low-pressure gas. The compressor squeezes the fluid. This bags the molecule of the fluid closer together (the closer the molecules, the higher its energy and temperature). The working fluid leaves the compressor as a hot, high pressure gas and flows into the condenser.

When the working fluid leaves the condenser, its temperature is much cooler and it has changed from a gas to a liquid under high pressure. The liquid goes into the evaporator through a very tiny, narrow hole. On the other side, the liquid’s pressure drops. When it does it begins to evaporate into a gas. As the liquid changes to gas and evaporates, it extracts heat from the air around it. The heat in the air is needed to separate the molecules of the fluid from a liquid to a gas.

The evaporator also has metal fins to help in exchange the thermal energy with the surrounding air. By the time the working fluid leaves the evaporator, it is a cool, low pressure gas. It then returns to the compressor to begin its trip all over again. Connected to the evaporator is a fan that circulates the air inside the house to blow across the evaporator fins. Hot air is lighter than cold air, so the hot air in the room rises to the top of a room.

There is a vent there where air is sucked into the air conditioner and goes down the ducts. The hot air is used to cool the gas in the evaporator. As the heat is removed from the air, the air is cooled. It is then blown into the house through other ducts.

This cycles continues again and again until your home reached the desired temperature you want, as programmed by your thermostat setting. And that’s how your home air conditioning system works.

How to Troubleshoot Some Common Problems in a Trane Gas Furnace

Posted By Mas Broto

We will show you how to troubleshoot some common problems with your trane gas furnace. The goal of this troubleshooting guide is to give you a better understanding of what can go wrong with your trane furnace, what repairs might help and when you should call a professional.

First we will look at some of the simple solutions and then we’ll go step-by-step through the sequence of operation and the individual repairs.

Does the furnace cycle on and off?

If the trane furnace ignites and the blower fan is running but there’s no heat coming out of the unit, then something might be restricting the airflow. Turn off your furnace and check the filter. The air filter is located next to the cold air return duct. As the filter collects dust it begins to restrict the airflow, this is why it’s essential to replace the filter every three to six months. If replacing the filter doesn’t help, there might be something else clogging the ducts. So it might be worth a professional inspection.

If your trane furnace isn’t running at all, it’s best to eliminate the simple solutions. First take a look at your thermostat, check the batteries and replace them if necessary. Now make sure that the thermostat is set to heat and the fan is set to auto.

Next check the breaker box, if the furnace breaker is tripped and in the middle position then flip the breaker all the way off and then flip it on to reset the breaker. Locate the power switch on the side of the furnace and make sure that the switch is on. Now find the gas shut-off valve, it should be open. Also many furnaces have a safety switch that prevents the furnace from running when the blower cover is open, so make sure that the cover is closed all the way.

New trane furnace model have a set of safety switches that shut down the furnace when the system is compromised. If a switch is tripped it will cause the furnace to lockout. The unit will attempt ignition several times before going into a hard lockout for up to an hour. Every time a lockout happens, the furnace will use flashing lights as codes to identify the source of the shutdown. These codes are unique to each model so check your trane manual to see what each code means.

Now if you are going to repair trane furnace, know your limits and only a temple you can safely do if your furnace has power then turn on the thermostat and observe the startup sequence first. The draft inducer fan pulls air through the heat exchanger. This ensures that all fumes are exhausted during combustion if the inducer isn’t running then the motor might be seized or burn out. Additionally the wires could be faulty or it could be a problem with the control board if the inducer is running and there’s enough airflow to remove the exhaust gasses. Then the pressure switch will close when the pressure is low. The switch will stay open and will prevent the furnace from igniting.

Try to identify anything that might cause a change of pressure inside the heat exchanger. Check to see if there’s any obstructions in the flue vent or in the inducer motor port.

Does the ignitor glow?

Next check to see if there are any blockages in the pressure switch tubing. If the airflow is good and the pressure switch might be faulty. If the pressure is good then voltage is sent to the hot surface igniter.

Some trane furnace series might use a spark igniter instead. If the igniter doesn’t activate then remove the igniter and test for continuity. If the igniter doesn’t have continuity it will need to be replaced. If the igniter has continuity but still doesn’t ignite then it might be a problem with the wires or the control board as the igniter glows the gas valve will open and the burners will ignite.

Is the flame sensor faulty?

There’s no flame present then check to see if the gas valve is on. If there’s still no flame then you should call a professional. As the gas valve solenoid could be faulty or there could be low gas pressure. The flame sensor checks to see if a flame is present. If all the burners light the flame should stay on for more than seven seconds. If the burners shut off shortly after igniting, the flame sensor could be dirty or defective. Remove the sensor and clean it with a soft abrasive pad. If the flame still doesn’t stay on then replace the flame sensor.

Look for any scorch marks as this indicates a more serious problem. If the flames roll out the front of the burner the flame roll out switch shuts off the furnace. These switches usually have a reset button. If you reset the switch and the switch keeps tripping then shut your furnace off and call a professional.

The heat exchanger could be cracked and could be releasing carbon monoxide into your home. If there’s no sign of a flame roll out then the flame roll out switch might be defective test the switch for continuity. If there is no continuity then replace the flame rollout switch, if there’s continuity and the flame still doesn’t stay lit then call a professional.

Does the blower fan run?

When the burner is lit the blower fan is too late from running to allow the heat exchanger to warm up this prevents the furnace from circulating cold air. If the blower motor still doesn’t run after a minute or two then the motor might be seized or burnt-out the limits which monitors the temperature of the air passing over the heat exchanger and will shut off the furnace if the system overheats. Any restriction of the airflow might cause the heat exchanger to overheat. This is why it’s essential to replace the furnace filter every three to six months. If the airflow is good and the blower fan cycles on and off then the limits which could be defective.

Let us know what trane furnace repairs you’d like to know next. And if you have any question, feel free to cantact me.

Heat Pump Troubleshooting Chart

Posted By Mas Broto

Heat Pump is being popularly used in houses and other places to provide solution to heating and cooling the area. It is central air-conditioner which has heating solution as well. It heats the air inside the area by collecting heat from the air that is present outside the house. Caring for heat pump is similar to that of air-conditioner with some changes that are specific to heat pump. Heat Pump troubleshooting chart can help you in smoothly and efficiently using it.

This heat pump troubleshooting chart is going to help you in analysing what problem is there and how you can tackle that. This chart can be used for air conditioner as well.

Heat Pump doesn’t Turn On

This can be due to various reasons such as:

If the setting of thermostat is not correct. When used for heating purpose heat should be chosen and temperature needs to be higher than the room temperature. For cooling it should be set at cool, and the temperature should be lower than the room temperature. If the setting is correct and you still see some discrepancy call the technician.
See that the breaker is switched on, check the entire connections main and sub panels. It may be required to reset the breaker.
There could be some problem with the wiring. Check that there are no damaged wiring, if so replace them and contact the technician as soon as possible and turn off the main unit.

Heat Pump is Not Heating despite being On

Reasons due to which this can happen are:

If Indoor coil is dirty, clean it and if necessary contact the clean-up service
Filter has to be cleaned and checked every 30 days, if using reusable filter clean it regularly or else use disposable filter.
Indoor fan could be the reason. The drive belt of blower could be loose and slipping, get it tightened and clean the fan.
Leakage in suction reversing valves or discharge valves.
Non-condensable are present in the unit, get it checked by a technician.
Your refrigerant could be low. It happens because of leakage somewhere, get the unit checked.

Evaporator Coil has Frost On it

Reasons for this could be:

Filter is dirty, clean it regularly or use disposable filter.
Coil fins are bent. You can correct them using the fin comb.
Fan problem
If thermostat is not functioning properly then replace it.
Coil is dirty and needs cleaning.

Liquid leaking from Unit

Reasons for this can be:

Check the condensate hole and line and clean it if clogged.
Drain pan is clogged, get it cleaned.
Leakage of refrigerant, if so get the unit checked and repair the leakage.
Piping and valves in bad condition, ensure nothing is damaged or leaking.

This heat pump troubleshooting chart is going to help you out in checking whether there is any trouble in your heat pump unit and if so can you tackle it or you would need a technician for the same.