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Here’s a Series of Typical Questions you might ask when it comes time to investigate getting a new heating or cooling system.
Question: How do I determine what system capacity I need for my home?
Answer: We strongly recommend that you NOT try to do that yourself. There are way to many variables to take into account, especially if you have no specific knowledge or expertise in the area of heating and cooling. There’s also no direct correlation between square footage and BTU sizing for your home -- not even the size of your present unit, based on the fact that heating / cooling technology has changed quite a bit over the past 10-20 years.
Many factors help determine the proper system capacity including, insulation factors, number and condition of windows, door jams and thresholds, ductwork sizing and arrangement, and your home’s geographic location. As a licensed HVAC contractor, Siemer can come to your home to perform a load calculation, at no charge to you. To request this service, Click Here
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Question: Can I troubleshoot before calling a dealer?
Answer: It’s really more of a question of “troubleshoot” versus “maintenance” and which you mean. For Maintenance, even the most mechanically-challenged homeowner can take care of simple maintenance tasks that will help ensure more efficient and longer lasting performance. See the next Question / Answer for some typical maintenance tasks you should be able to handle yourself.
In addition, there are some relatively low-cost maintenance items your dealer should perform, similar to the tune-up your car needs from time to time. Generally, these types of seasonal tune-ups pay themselves back over time, in greater efficiency and longer system life.
If, in spite of all your efforts, your system seems to be malfunctioning, you can do a little troubleshooting before going to the expense of a service call.
- Jot down what symptoms seem to be occurring, and when – all the time the system’s running, at start-up, shut-down, or intermittently.
- Is there a specific type of noise it’s making?
- If it’s a gas furnace, is the flame something other than the typical blue?
- Is there rust or moisture near the burner unit?
- If central air, does it not seem to be cooling the house the way you remember it working? If true, how long has the unit been running without doing the job? An hour?... Two?...
- The notes make it easier for you to share what’s happening with your indoor comfort system specialist, so that they can accurately diagnose what’s wrong, and what will be required to fix it.
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Question: What maintenance can I do myself?
Answer: With proper maintenance and care, your indoor comfort system will operate economically and dependably for years. There are a few simple, routine maintenance operations you can do to help ensure the best performance and comfort from your system. These are largely adapted from information from the Carrier web site.
Safety, First and Foremost!
Before you perform any kind of maintenance, consider these important safety precautions.
- Disconnect all electrical power to the unit before removing access panels to perform any kind of maintenance. Please note that there may be more than one power connection switch.
- Always, always be very careful when handling parts or reaching into units. Sometimes there are sharp or unfinished edges that may cause cuts. And getting a finger caught between a belt and a pulley can also hurt, a lot. So don’t do that!
Routine Maintenance
- Check the air filter in your furnace or fan coil every 3 to 4 weeks. A dirty filter will cause excessive strain on your furnace, air conditioner or heat pump. Replace your filter when necessary, or clean it if you have the reusable type. (If you have a reusable filter, make sure it’s completely dry before you re-install it.) The prefilter and collection cells of an electronic air cleaner should be cleaned at least two or three times per year.
- Clean dust off of your indoor coil. With a vacuum cleaner and soft-brush attachment, you can remove any dust from the top and underside of the coil. Make sure you only do this when the coil is dry. If you can’t get the coil clean this way, call your dealer for service.
- Keep your outdoor condensing unit free of debris. If you keep grass clippings, leaves, shrubbery and debris away from your outdoor unit, it should only require minimal care to operate properly. Check the base pan (under the unit) occasionally and remove debris, to help the unit drain efficiently.
- If the outdoor coil becomes dirty, use a brush or a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to clean the surface. Sometimes, you may also spray the coils down using a garden hose, but don’t use too much pressure or you may bend some of the coil blades. To clean dirt that is deep in the coil, contact your dealer.
- Make sure your outdoor unit stays in a level position. If the support for your split-system outdoor unit shifts or settles and the unit is no longer level, re-level it promptly to make sure moisture drains properly out of the unit. If you notice that water or ice collects beneath the unit, arrange for it to be drained away from the equipment.
- Inspect your furnace’s combustion area and vent system before each heating season. If you find dirt, soot or rust, your system may not operate properly or at its peak efficiency. Call your servicing dealer and do not operate your furnace until it is professionally inspected and/or repaired.
- Have oil-fired boilers inspected annually. Call your servicing dealer before each heating season to replace your oil filter cartridge and conduct a thorough inspection of the unit’s operation.
- Clean your humidifier at the beginning of every heating season. Review your owner’s manual for the proper procedure to clean the external and internal components of your unit. The evaporator pad should also be replaced before each heating season. If the water in your area is hard or has high mineral content, you may need to clean or service your humidifier more frequently.
- Clean the core and air filters on a ventilator at least every three months. You can vacuum the core of an energy recovery ventilator as long as it is dry and the outdoor temperature is between 60º F (16º C) and 75º F (24º C).
- Heat recovery ventilator cores can be soaked for three hours in a solution of warm water and mild soap and then rinsed. Ventilator air filters are washable: just use a vacuum to remove the heaviest accumulation of dust and then wash them in lukewarm water. Replace them after they are completely dry.
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Question: What routine maintenance do I need help with?
Answer: Think about how you take care of your car. Sure, most people can handle the little stuff -- checking and topping off fluids, keeping tires inflated to the correct pressure, changing the wiper blades. But, to keep your car operating at its best, you need an occasional tune-up from a trained professional.
Your heating and cooling system is no different. To get the most performance and longest life from your system, it's a good idea to have a professional perform routine seasonal checks in the spring and fall.
Spring Maintenance – In the spring, we will typically check a heat pump or air conditioner for all or some of the following:
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