The efficiency of your furnace depends on a number of important factors. Of course, if your furnace is not functioning, there are certain things that you won’t be able to fix unless you are an HVAC professional. However, one of the best do-it-yourself furnace maintenance jobs is cleaning the pump. This article explains how to safely access and clean your furnace pump.
Shutting Down Your Furnace
It is very important that you properly shut down your furnace before working on it.…
There are times when the thermostatic expansion valve becomes faulty or gets clogged with dirt. When this happens, it usually creates conditions that make evaporator coil icing unavoidable. Here is what you should know about why your air conditioner’s thermostatic expansion valve is to blame for your evaporator coil icing problems.
Malfunctioning thermostatic expansion valve and coil icing
The refrigerant-regulating role of the thermostatic expansion valve usually involves it letting only as much refrigerant as the evaporator coil can handle to pass through.…
A gas furnace relies on the presence of an igniter that provides a spark of heat to start the combustion process. If the furnace doesn’t sense the igniter, the gas won’t come out since the unit thinks it isn’t time to heat. So a broken gas furnace igniter can prevent the furnace from operating at all.
If you need to replace a broken igniter, consider installing a new universal igniter, which requires little maintenance and operates more efficiently than old pilot light style igniters.…
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t spend much time thinking about the toilets in your home. But like everything else in a house, toilets will eventually wear out and need to be replaced. Being proactive can ensure that your toilet is replaced before major problems occur. A few of the signs that it is time to call a plumber to install a new toilet include:
Leaky Tank
Over time, the tank of a toilet can develop cracks and begin leaking water.…
Unless you are experienced with HVAC systems, determining when it is time for a new one can be challenging. What you might not realize is that your system will give clues that it might be time to talk to your HVAC professional about replacing the unit. Here are some clues to look for if you suspect your unit is on its last legs.
Unexplained Moisture
As it operates, some condensation will appear at various parts of the HVAC system.…
Air conditioning maintenance doesn’t start and end with changing or cleaning the air filters. While you can hire an air conditioning services company to conduct an annual pre-season deep cleaning, you can perform some of the cleaning maintenance tasks yourself with a little bit of effort and a few supplies. Keeping these areas adequately and regularly cleaned can improve cooling efficiency—and prevent your unit from suffering significant damage.
What are the two key areas of your HVAC system that you should clean—and one you should leave up to the pros?…
The igniter in a gas furnace provides the heat source that starts the combustion process needed to warm your indoor air. A glow bar igniter has an M-shape filament that lights up red or glows when hot. If your furnace has recently stopped heating and you don’t see the igniter glowing when it should, you should test the igniter to see if the part has failed.
You can test a glow bar igniter using a multi-meter to check for continuity or a continuous electrical supply to the part.…
Unless you are an HVAC professional, the inside of your furnace probably looks foreign and complicated. Obviously, most furnace repairs and maintenance should be done by a professional serviceman. However, that is not to say that there aren’t several things you can do on your own to improve the functionality and airflow produced by your furnace. This article explains three basic things that will help keep your furnace running more efficiently.…
