Service Tips
Here are some tips from our team at Apollo Heating, Air & Plumbing on keeping your home comfort systems operating efficiently between visits.
Your heating and cooling systems should receive an annual tune-up to help ensure your home is operating at peak performance. Be prepared! Contact us today to schedule an air conditioner tune-up and sign-up for our Sun Club preventive maintenance program.
Furnaces
1. Is there power to the furnace? Check the switch on the furnace and your circuit breaker or fuse. Also check the door panel to the blower compartment. If that is not properly closed, the safety switch may not allow the furnace to come on.
2. Is the thermostat turned to “heat” and set to a temperature above the present room temperature?
3. Filters must be checked monthly. A clogged filter will affect the airflow, efficiency, and the life of your furnace. A very plugged filter can “starve” the furnace for air and cause it to shut down.
4. Some furnaces have blower motors that require annual lubrication with a few drops of non-detergent motor oil.
5. Heat registers and return air grills should not be blocked by furniture as this will inhibit the proper air movement during the heating cycle.
6. If you have a 90% (High-Efficiency) furnace check the fresh air intake and the exhaust for blockage prior to each heating season and occasionally during the season. Dirt, snow, ice, leaves, or other material blocking these will cause the furnace to shut down. Also note that the condensate drain line, which drains off the water produced as a by-product of the furnace operation, must be kept clear and free of kinks. Be sure no heavy object is set on it.
7. If you have an 80% furnace occasionally check the fresh air intake outside to be sure that there is no debris plugging it.
8. Is the furnace filter clogged, thereby starving the furnace for air?
9. Has the gas valve been turned off?
10. If you have LP gas, is that tank empty?
11. f you have a 90 percent, high-efficiency furnace, is something plugging the air intake or the exhaust?
Air Conditioners
1. Filters must be checked monthly to protect your blower motor and evaporating coil.
2. Keep the outdoor condensing unit free of grass clippings, cottonwood seeds, and dirt buildup. Air cannot pass over the outdoor coil for proper cooling operation if it is plugged. This can be easily washed down with a garden hose, but shut off power to the unit before you do so.
3. Severe electrical storms can cause the outdoor fuses or breaker to blow. These are located in the disconnect box outside, directly behind your air conditioner. If you must replace the fuse, BE SURE TO SHUT OFF INSIDE POWER TO THE UNIT FIRST. The fuse must be replaced with a time delay type with the same amp rating.
4. As the air conditioner runs, it also dehumidifies your home. The water produced by this process drains from the unit through a condensate line on the outside of your furnace. It is important that this water drain freely to prevent a backup of water into your furnace. If no water is draining when the unit is running, remove the line at the furnace and attempt to dislodge any dirt which may be clogging the outlet.
5. Your air conditioner is built to withstand the weather, but if you want to cover it in the winter it is best to use canvas, which will allow air through. Do not wrap the air conditioner in plastic.
6. Air conditioners are most effective when the desired temperature is set on the thermostat and they are left alone, not constantly turned on and off. If the air conditioner is not turned on until the warmest part of the day, it will need to run for quite some time to “catch up” with the heat inside your home. It normally takes as long to cool a house down as it did to heat it up.
7. If your house has two floors in addition to the basement, you may need to partially close the supply air registers on the main floor in order to force the air to the upper level. (Then reverse this during the heating season). In all homes, close any basement registers or you will lose cooling efficiency.
Electronic Air Cleaner
1. Wash the cells monthly. If this is done in a dishwasher, use the “no heat” drying cycle.
2. Be sure the cells are completely dry before turning power on to the unit again.
3. The cells must be handled with care to avoid bending or damaging the fins or breaking the ionizing wires.
Humidifier
1. Humidity comfort level is a very individual matter. Set your humidistat to the level that seems to keep your home the most comfortable for you. It may take you a couple tries with different settings to find your own personal preference.
2. The unit contains a water panel located just inside the cover. This needs to be changed approximately once a year, depending on your water. The panel has a natural whitish coating which aids water distribution. Through use, minerals will be deposited on it. It can be rinsed off occasionally to remove some of the residue, but do not soak the panel in any strong cleaning solution.
3. Check the water drain line to make sure that it is draining freely and that water is not leaking into your furnace. If no water is coming through even though the unit is running, remove the drain tube at the unit and attempt to dislodge any sediment which might be plugging the outlet.
4. At the end of the heating season, turn off your humidifier as indicated in your owner’s manual.
Thermostat
1. Set your thermostat to “heat” or “cool” and your fan switch to automatic. Dial to the desired temperature or set your programmable thermostat to give the desired heating or cooling schedule.
2. Your fan switch may be set to either “on” or “auto.” In the “auto” mode, the fan will only come on when the furnace or air conditioner is operating. In the “on” mode, the fan will run constantly.
3. Please be aware that having fan set to “on” may give the feeling of draft in some homes in the winter, as air constantly circulating even though it is not being continuously heated.
Should you ever need warranty service: Warranty work is scheduled during our normal workday hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday and Saturday, and 8:00 am to 7:00 pm, Tuesday through Friday.
“No Heat” emergency service is available 24 hours a day. To contact anyone about service just call our number, 651.770.0603, any day of the week.
Troubleshooting Before You Call For Service
Planned Service Contracts
1. Is there power to the air conditioner? Check the indoor circuit breaker or the fuse inside and also check the disconnect box fuse outside. BE SURE TO TURN OFF YOUR INSIDE CIRCUIT BREAKER BEFORE CHECKING THE OUTSIDE FUSE!
2. Is the furnace filter plugged?
3. Is the outdoor unit plugged with leaves, grass, cottonwood, etc.?
4. Check the thermostat. Is it turned to “cool” and set to a temperature below room temperature?
Apollo has the solutions for your project. Call us today at 651.770.0603!