Prepare For Service
Things you can check before you place a service call
As the chart demonstrates below, there are some very common problems that we respond to.
Filters, Media Filters & Air Cleaners
Filters cause many service calls. Because service calls are costly, we recommend you spend some time eliminating your filtration as the cause of your problem.
Dirty Filters or Air Cleaners: Dirty filters act as a restriction on your system’s air flow. When air is not circulating through your system properly, your system cannot operate properly. For cooling, it can cause the evaporator coil to ice, further restricting air flow, and over time it can cause damage to the system. For heating, it can cause the furnace to overheat causing the safeties in the furnace to turn the furnace off. In both cases, your system loses efficiency, costing you more money in energy bills. High-Efficiency filters from Home Centers: Your system was designed to operate at a certain capacity with certain accessories. High-efficiency filters from home centers were not part of this original design and sometimes can play havoc on your system. If you recently switched to using this type of filter and you’re now having problems, try replacing this filter with a standard filter to see if the problems persist. If you recently replaced the filter, did you install it properly? Make sure the filter is free of packaging materials. If replacing the furnace filter, be sure that you securely placed the blower door in place. Blower doors have safety switches that will not allow the furnace to operate if the door is not reinstalled securely.
If your thermostat is on but your heater isn’t providing your house with heat, there could be a problem with either the thermostat or the heater. Some of the most common problems that can cause your heat to go out include:
- Dirty air filter.
- Thermostat is on the wrong setting.
- Thermostat is faulty.
- Tripped breaker.
- Pilot ignitor is dirty.
No matter what the problem is, Comfort Central is here to help. To schedule a repair service with us, contact us today.
There are several things that can cause an air conditioner to stop cooling even when running. Some of the most common causes of this include:
- Dirty air filter.
- Damaged heat pump.
- Frozen evaporator coil.
- Tripped circuit breaker.
- The outdoor unit is blocked or dirty.
If your AC is running but not cooling, call the experts at Comfort Central to have it fixed today.
If your HVAC system is still running even when your thermostat is turned off, some possible problems that may be causing this include:
- Faulty thermostat.
- Damaged relay switch.
- Short circuit.
If your HVAC system is giving you trouble, call the experts at Comfort Central to have it fixed today.
Circuit Breakers
Summer time is the time for summer storms. Summer storms often cause surges and spikes in our electrical supply. However, at any time of year, our local utility has surges and spikes within its system.
Circuit Breakers and Fuses act as protection to our home electrical system. When something is encountered in the electrical supply that is not within planned limits, the circuit breaker trips (or the fuse "blows") breaking the circuit.
Anytime your equipment will not operate, please check and reset your equipment circuit breakers and fuses. We do recommend turning the circuit breaker completely off, then back on because sometimes the breaker trips but does not appear to be tripped.
Also, your blower will be on a separate circuit breaker from the outside unit. Check both!
IMPORTANT
IF YOUR OUTSIDE COOLING UNIT WILL NOT SHUT OFF: Please turn the circuit breaker to the unit "OFF." This small measure can prevent damage to the system. IF THE BREAKER OR FUSE TRIPS AFTER RESETTING: Call for service immediately.
Disconnects
All HVAC equipment is installed with a Service Disconnect. Our technicians use this to cut power to the equipment so they may safely work on it. It is our policy not to encourage you to explore your service disconnects.
With this warning in mind, residential furnaces that use a fuel source have service disconnects that appear to be a light switch, usually mounted on or near the furnace. If your equipment stopped working after being in your furnace room or closet, please check to make sure this switch is set to "ON." In tight spaces it is very easy to brush against this switch, causing the unit to lose power to it.
Thermostats
Thermostats come in a variety of shapes, sizes and capabilities. Many thermostat manufacturers have website wizards to help you, step by step, program your thermostat. We will gladly provide assistance to you over the phone or by service call if you need the additional support.
Did you know? A thermostat is a switch that, in its simplest form, uses indoor temperature to turn your equipment on and off. To be blunt, you will not get 50 degree air from your registers if you set your thermostat to "COOL" and "50 deg F." (Truthfully, there are circumstances where you might but for illustration purposes, the above stands true.) Below are some common service calls that can be avoided:
BLOWER WON’T SHUT OFF: Check your fan selector, is it set to "FAN ON" or "AUTO?" AUTO cycles the blower on and off when there is a call for cooling or heat. "FAN ON" runs the fan continuously.
NO HEAT (OR NO COOL): Check your System Selection, Is it set to "COOL," "HEAT," or "OFF?" If so, do you have the temperature selection set so the system makes a call for the system to cycle? Using heat as an example, If your thermostat is sensing your indoor temperature to be 70 degrees, you will need to set your heat setting above that temperature for the heating to cycle on. Older mercury style thermostats may need to be leveled or calibrated, so try a setting such as 76 degrees.
Water Leaking
Water can cause several problems. The best way to avoid problems associated with water is to keep your filters clean and have your equipment serviced regularly.
Water is often a byproduct. For example, central air conditioning systems produce water as the refrigerant cycles through the evaporator coil. If the drain or drain line for the system becomes plugged, some systems, utilizing safety controls, turn the equipment off. Not all systems have these controls.
If you have water leaking, please turn your equipment off and call for service.
Prepare For Service
Familiarize yourself with your equipment and location. If possible know: type, make, model and serial numbers. Be ready to explain what symptoms or problems you have experienced. Make sure the equipment is accessible to the technician. Make sure locks are open, shrubs trimmed away or moved. Remove any items blocking access especially if equipment is located in the attic or crawl space. Remove pets to separate rooms so they do not get in the way, get hurt or get out. Make sure an adult (18 or older) is present to allow legal entry into home and authorize repairs. Be sure to answer your phone, we call to confirm you are available before dispatching a technician. Have service history available. Be prepared to make payment. If you rent your home, we must have authorization from the landlord in order to perform service and have them be the responsible party.
NO COOLING CALLS: Please make sure the thermostat System Setting is set to "OFF" and Fan Mode set to "FAN ON." This will ensure the system will not be "iced up" allowing us the ability to troubleshoot the unit.