FAQ & Helpful HVAC Tips

First check your electrical breaker or fuse box. If you have had a recent storm or electrical surge, it is possible they have tripped the breaker or blown a fuse. Your air conditioning unit should have an outdoor fuse box located near the unit on the wall of the house. Test these fuses to ensure they are not broken.

If you notice ice on your AC coils, turn the system off immediately. Failure to do can cause damage, and repair work cannot begin until the ice is removed.

If your heating system has a pilot light, check there to start. If the pilot light has burned out, see below for directions on how to relight it.

If you have a newer heating system, it is possible that it contains a circuit board that will show an error code. Write down this code and report it to a heating repair technician. After you have written the code, you may be able to reset the system by turning the system off for 60 seconds. If this works, it may provide temporary heat until we can properly diagnose the system.

Lighting a pilot light is a fairly standard practice that varies little from one gas appliance to another. If you have a new furnace, gas dryer, or water heater, they may be self-igniting, meaning you do not need to light a pilot light at all. On older appliances, be sure to turn the gas valve only to the pilot position and light the pilot at the same time. Once the pilot light is lit, turn the knob to “on.” If the pilot does not light right away, wait a few minutes before attempting to light again to avoid the possibility of injury.

Regular HVAC maintenance will help keep your HVAC system running longer and decrease the chances that you’ll need costly repairs or experience downtime. We recommend that your heating and cooling system should have scheduled maintenance at least once a year to prevent any unnecessary repairs.

Your home’s air filters should be cleaned at least once a month. Dirty air filters are one of the leading causes of HVAC failure. If you don’t change or clean your filter often enough, the filter can get clogged with dust and other airborne particles, forcing your furnace to work harder to maintain airflow. This will reduce your furnace’s efficiency and can cause damage.

If too much dirt and brush accumulate around your air conditioning unit, the system’s efficiency and ability to cool your home can be decreased. This makes your air conditioner work harder while achieving less. Regularly cleaning around your air conditioner is an easy (and free) way to improve your air conditioner’s performance and extend its longevity.