Category: Heating

How To Troubleshoot Your Furnace Before Calling A Houston Heater Company

Posted by acman on April 18, 2019

Troubleshooting Your Furnace: 4 Quick Fixes To Try Before You Call A Professional AC Man In Houston

Would you want to spend $100 and then be told the obvious? You wouldn’t?

We didn’t think so. However, that is what frequently occurs when homeowners in Houston call us about furnace repair. The “problem” is often caused by a minor problem that could have been repaired, which could save themselves the expense of a service call.

If your furnace is not working the way that it should be, wait on the service call. First, try out the following 4 simple troubleshooting tasks. If they do not fix the problem, then call us for assistance.

1. Check The Thermostat For Problems

Is your furnace not turning on? First, check your thermostat and then do the following tasks:

Make sure that your thermostat is set on “heat” and not on “cool”
Also, be sure the thermostat is turned 5 degrees higher at least than the room temperature is.
Replace the battery on the thermostat
Open up the thermostat and blow out any accumulated dirt or dust. If your furnace is sometimes blowing cool air, you should check your thermostat fan setting in order to be sure it is on “auto” and not “on.” A furnace’s “on” setting” causes the blower to run continuously even when the air is not being heated by the furnace.

2. Check Your Furnace Filter

Is the furnace randomly shutting down? Does it run for long periods of time and seem to not heat your house? Is it weak air coming out of the vents? If so, then the furnace filter may be dirty.

When your system has a dirty furnace filter it restricts the airflow over the heat exchanger over the furnace, which can cause a number of different problems:

The heat exchanger overheats and then shuts down.
Soot may accumulate on the heat exchanger, which reduces the efficiency of your furnace. This reduces airflow that comes out of the vents. Which means that the furnace is operating, but you are never comfortable.

The owner’s manual for your furnace should show where the filter is and direction on how to replace it. Your filter should be checked once a month at least and then change it, as necessary. So when is a filter considered to be “too dirty” for you to keep? Hold your filter up to a light. If you are unable to clearly see any light coming through, then replace the filter.

3. Check The Shutoff Switches & Circuit Breakers

Is your furnace refusing to turn on no matter what the temperature has been set to? It might be turned on. The following are a couple of places to check:

Standard wall switch close to the furnace. It may look like a regular light switch.
Circuit breaker panel. Search for the switch that has a furnace label close to it. When the switch is in the center position, that means it is tripped. Turn the switch to “off” and then “on.” If that results in the circuit breaker tripping again, then you have another problem that needs to be fixed (such as having to replace the air filter.)
The front panel that covers the blower. Be sure the panel is shut closed all of the way. Under the panel is a switch that must be depressed in order for your furnace to work.

4. Open Up Any Air Vents That Are Closed

Homeowners frequently close the air vents in the rooms they are not using in order to save money.

However, when vents are closed in any room it actually causes the opposite to occur: it actually wastes money – and may also cause your furnace to shut off.

How?

The size of your furnace is designed for heating up your whole house, including unused rooms. Closing vents will not reduce how much air is pushed out by the blower. It only increases the pressure inside the air duct system.

(Picture yourself attempting to run while breathing with just one nostril. You are still attempting to move around the same amount of air, but there is a lot more pressure that travels through only one nostril.)

The added pressure within the duct system can cause several of the problems that you might be experiencing:

Less comfortable – A majority of houses have air duct leaks, that allows for the escape of conditioned air. Extra air pressure inside of the ducts pushes out more air through the leaks – or creates even more air leaks. This means that less air is getting into certain parts of your house.

Furnace continues to shut down – The added pressure causes your blower to work at lower speeds. That decreases the air over your heat exchanger, which cause it to overheat and then shut down. That is like you have a dirty air filter.

Call or contact us today for more information.

Should You Repair Or Replace That Old Furnace?

Posted by acman on April 4, 2019

Use These 3 Factors To Decide Whether You Should Replace Or Repair Your Gas Furnace

It’s sad to hear that your furnace is no longer working as it should.

The hard part, however, is making a choice between spending your money on repairs or a new replacement.

Keep the three essential factors listed below in mind when making this decision.

1. How Long Has The Furnace Been In Use?

If your furnace doesn’t have a long life ahead, you don’t want to be spending too much money on repairs. Before you decide, make a comparison between its average lifespan and its current age.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, the average lifespan of furnaces is estimated to be somewhere between 15 and 20 years.

If you don’t know how old your furnace is, use the following tips:

Inspect the unit for a year of installation. This information is written in furnaces by some installation technicians.
You need to switch off the furnace and give it some time to cool down before you conduct the inspection. Check for a metal identification plate, normally on the chamber door of the furnace. Copy the serial and model numbers there. To get a specific date on when the furnace was manufactured, contact the manufacturer using their customer service number.
You don’t have to replace the furnace if you find out that it was made more than 20 years ago. With proper maintenance, many, furnaces deliver reliable performance long after the 15 to 20-year useful life.

2. Replacement versus Repair Costs

Make a comparison of these two costs while considering the age of your furnace:

Furnace repair cost.
Furnace replacement cost.

Remember the following to ensure that you arrive at the correct repair cost, Seek numerous quotes.

To find out if you can save on repair costs by paying for labor and getting parts for free, remember to find out what the warranty covers and whether it is still has some time before it expires.

Replacement costs are determined by:

Your preferred furnace size
Your desired Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency level
Single or two-stage and type of blower
You might have to spend anything between 1,100 and 6,000 dollars on a new replacement.

As a rule of thumb, if the repair cost of your furnace is a third, or more, of the replacement cost and it has already been in use for two thirds, or more, of its useful life, you should seriously consider having it replaced.

For instance, it is better to replace your furnace, in the long term, if it has been in use for 15 years or more and requires an 800 dollar repair cost, versus a 2,400 dollar replacement cost.

3. Your Current Situation

The most important factor to consider is your current situation. Some situations and issues may relate to you:

Your available budget: Your budget, at present, may not allow you to spend big on a new furnace, making repairs your only option. However, if you really need a replacement but can’t afford it, consider seeking financing.
Huge energy Bills: If you are looking to start making savings on your energy bills, consider getting a replacement. Depending on the energy efficiency of the new furnace you stand to make savings ranging between 10 and 25 percent off your energy bills.
Your Expectations: You might be better off having your furnace replaced if you it always struggles to meet your expectations.
Frequency of Repairs: It is best that you replace an old furnace that is always in need of some sort of repairs, regardless of how much they cost.

HVAC Repair Specialists Troubleshoot Your Finicky Furnace

Posted by acman on April 4, 2019

Furnace Blowing Cold Air: A Homeowner’s Troubleshooting Guide

Homeowners live in a huge range of climates, and every house is different. Turning on your furnace universal, though. No matter who you are or where you are, the last result you want is a blast of cold air.

What could be behind this sort of mechanical betrayal? Lots of things! There are many issues that can push down the temperature of the air your furnace emits, and some of them can be easily solved without professional assistance.

Before you get on the phone to your preferred HVAC experts, here are four solid pieces of furnace troubleshooting advice:

Check The FAN Setting On Your Thermostat

If your heating system seems to alternate between hot and cold air, the culprit might be a blower fan running full time.

Check your thermostat’s fan setting. If it’s turned to “ON,” your heating system’s blower will be running around the clock, whether or not your furnace is actually warming up the air in the system. This can easily produce chilly air currents at unwanted times.

To solve this problem, simply set the fan to “AUTO” on your thermostat. This will link the blower to the furnace so that it only pushes out air when the furnace is running.

Check The Air Filter Of Your Furnace

An old, dirty, clogged-up filter can cause your furnace to blow cold air.

This happens because your furnace relies on a steady flow of air over its heat exchanger. If that airflow is impeded by a clogged filter, an automatic filter may be shutting your burners off to prevent damage. Allowing the heat exchanger to get too hot could cause it to crack.

To fix this problem, check the furnace filter and replace it if it’s dirty. You’ll need to shut your furnace down (at the thermostat) first. Note that resetting the furnace may require professional assistance.

Check Your Pilot Light

In older-model furnaces, the burners need a standing pilot light to switch on. If the pilot light has been extinguished, the heating system won’t function.

You can relight your pilot with this simple procedure:

Turn your furnace off.
Switch your thermostat to the “OFF” position.
Locate the plot light and reset switch.
These pieces of equipment are usually at the bottom of the furnace. If you’re having trouble finding them, check your manual. The furnace reset switch is typically behind an access cover you’ll need to open. The switch will have three settings: PILOT, OFF, and ON.
Set the reset switch to “OFF” and wait 5 minutes.
This step shuts off the gas flow. You need to wait to let any remaining gas dissipate.
Set the switch to “PILOT” and press it down.
This restarts the gas flor to the pilot light.
While holding the switch down, hold a lighter at the pilot opening.
When the gas catches and the flame lights, you should see a steady blue flame. If it’s working properly, it should hit the furnace’s thermocouple (a small copper bar) right in the middle.
Set the switch to “ON.”
This will allow your furnace to function properly.
Turn your furnace back on at your thermostat.
Set the thermostat to “HEAT” again. Start with the temperature setting 5 degrees below your normal room temperature and check for hot air.

If Your Pilot Light Won’t Light Or Hold A Flame

If the pilot light isn’t functioning properly, you need professional help. The problem may be a broken thermocouple (which is a cheap, fast repair) or something more serious.

Check Your Condensate Line

If your home has a more modern, high-efficiency furnace, you may have a condensate line blockage. The blocked line will cause your furnace to shut down automatically. The telltale sign of a blockage is puddled water around the furnace.

High-efficiency furnaces produce water (the condensate) while they’re running. This has to drain out of the furnace, typically through a PVC pipe. If water can’t leave, it will trigger a kill switch and shut down the furnace so that the water can’t damage it.

Condensate lines can be blocked by dust, dirt, mold, or (if the line runs through an uninsulated area) ice. Your furnace may also suffer condensate overflow if its condensate pump breaks down. This is another problem that requires a professional fix.

You can use this in-depth Energy Vanguard tutorial to help you unclog a condensate line. If your line is being clogged with ice, use pipe insulation and heat tape to wrap it where it runs through unconditioned spaces.

Furnace Being Indecisive? AC Man Of Houston Can Help!

Posted by acman on April 4, 2019

What Causes A Furnace To Turn Off And On Frequently

Short cycling is when a furnace stops and starts more often than it should. Your furnace can suffer a lot of damage if it’s short cycling. Not only that, but your utility bills can increase.

What Causes Short Cycling

Overheating can cause it. So can issues with the thermostat. Also, an over-sized furnace could be the reason. We’ll go into these in more depth and how you can take care of them.

Overheating

If your furnace is shutting down, then the exchanger could be the culprit. The furnace shuts itself down when the exchanger overheats. This is to protect it from cracking.

Eventually, the heat exchanger can crack. It is very expensive to replace an exchanger, and it is sometimes better to replace your entire furnace than replacing the exchanger. Unless you have a parts warranty, then you’ll want to consider replacing the furnace.

What Causes Overheating

A dirty air filter can cause the heat exchanger to overheat. What you should do is check the air filter 1-2 times per month. Make sure to change it if it looks dirty.

Blocked Off Air Vents

An exchanger can overheat if air vents are blocked off. When you close the vents or if they are blocked off, then the air ducts are subjected to more pressure and this can lead the blower not blowing out as much air as it should. When the airflow is low, then less heat is exchanged and this can lead to more heat to build up. If you want to fix this problem, then keep the vents open and do not block them.

Blocked Exhaust Vents

Certain gases gave to be exhausted, which your furnace does via its exhaust vents. However, there are a number of things that can block these vents, and this includes leaves, nests, and debris. This can lead to furnace overheating, which is dangerous. Furthermore, carbon monoxide could end up being released into your home.

Do you know where your furnace’s flue pipe is? If so, then inspect it to make sure nothing is clogging it up. Be careful if the vent is located on the roof.

Thermostat Issues

Thermostats let your furnace know when to turn on and when to turn off. If short cycling is happening, then the thermostat might be faulty. There are two common issues that affect thermostats, and this includes:

Malfunctioning- A thermostat that malfunctions need to be replaced. It might be able to be repaired. A professional can help you out here.
Improper Placement- The thermostat might be tricked into thinking your home is warm enough. This can happen if it’s installed near a heat register, direct sunlight, the kitchen or other heat sources. This is why you want to make sure the thermostat is installed in a proper place.

Oversized Furnace

Did you install a new furnace recently? If so, it might be too big. A furnace that’s too large can heat your home up very fast, but this can actually cause your energy bills to skyrocket.

What you need to do is contact the professional who installed your furnace. Tell them what the problem is. They should be able to correct the problem, such as reinstalling a furnace that is a suitable size for your home or they will offer another solution.

Houston HVAC Company Addresses Heat Pump Maintenance & Their FAQ’s

Posted by acman on February 20, 2019

Learn More About How Houston Heat Pump Maintenance Can Benefit You

We’ve been discussing in our blog all month that heat pump technology is rapidly evolving, and heat pumps are picking up in popularity in colder climates. In fact, you may be considering a heat pump yourself, if you’re interested in:

Supplementing your existing heat system
Replacing your existing combined systems with one combined solution
Reduce your carbon footprint and boost your energy efficiency
Reduce your regular energy costs and enjoy the heat pump tax credit

However, if combining heating and cooling into one system concerns you, especially when it comes to maintenance, you don’t need to worry.

This week, we’d like to go through the questions that we get asked most often, as well as offer some standard heat pump maintenance tips to help you feel more at ease.

Do heat pumps require service?

Like any other heating or cooling system, your heat pump will benefit from regular preventative maintenance. The difference between a system that is well-maintained and a system that is neglected can range from 10% to 25%, according to energy.gov.

Heat pump maintenance on a routine basis will help ensure that the system performs at its best. It will also help limit damage to the components, including the compressor, making sure that your expensive investment is well protected.

Routine service limits the risk of the heat pump needing unexpected and expensive repairs, as well as helping the system to run more reliably.

What does it cost to maintain a heat pump?

The cost of maintaining a heat pump will vary quite a bit, depending on where you live, how often you have the service performed, the age of your system, and who provides the service.

To understand why the preventative maintenance is worth the ongoing investment, let’s examine the difference between the cost of this important preventative measure and replacing a heat pump after it’s gone bad.

The national average cost for residential heat pump repair ranges from around $350-$1250.

The cost of preventative maintenance on the heat pump averages $170, making this service both cost-effective and a smart option. You can also save on the price of this routine maintenance if you sign a contract for ongoing service with the same HVAC provider.

Can I troubleshoot my heat pump on my own and do my own maintenance?

You should definitely keep an eye on your heat pump for specific issues that commonly develop so that you can prevent future issues.

For example, the defrost cycle will typically run when it is quite cold outside. However, if you notice that the defrost mode keeps coming on, or stays on for more than fifteen minutes, it may be time to call in a professional to evaluate your system.

You can also keep your heat pump running at its best by taking care of routine tasks like dusting around the vents and replacing the air filters.

The reality is that preventative heat pump maintenance is not a job that you can do on your own. If you’re not experienced and trained, it’s very dangerous to work with refrigerant and high voltage electricity. You could wind up doing more harm than good. In these cases, it’s important to turn to a skilled professional for ongoing HVAC maintenance.

How often should the heat pump service be scheduled?

Professional heat pump maintenance should be scheduled at least once per year.

If you use the heat pump for the main heating and cooling system, as opposed to a supplemental system, it may mean that you need to schedule this service twice yearly – once in the spring and once in the fall.

Five Tips On How To Hire The Best HVAC Contractor

Posted by acman on October 22, 2018

How To Locate And Hire A Reputable And Reliable HVAC Contractor

Your HVAC system is among the most expensive systems in your house and if you hire a reputable company to do the proper installation it will help to contribute towards making sure that it runs accurately and efficiently. Although you might be able to change the filters and check on the thermostat on a regular basis, there are certain situations such as routine maintenance that might convince you that you need to hire an HVAC contractor. We are experts at cooling and heating. If you are searching for an A/C installation in the Houston TX area, don’t hesitate to give us a call. The following are some tips to help guide you in choosing the best HVAC contractor for your needs.

Experience and Licensing

When searching for AC installation near Houston, TX, you should always take experience and licensing into consideration. Like we stated previously, the HVAC system is quite expensive. That is why it is essential that you make sure that the staff has had adequate training. Before hiring a company ask how long it has been working within the industry. Longevity will help to ensure that the contractor does a good job or you. Check to make sure that have a valid license from the Texas HVAC Contractor Licensing Board. This board issue licenses only to contractors with at least five years of experience within the field. Find out if their technicians have North American Technician Excellent (NATE) also. That will help to ensure that the technicians have received adequate training for handling the installation that you need to have done. You should also ask whether the tradesman has insurance. This will give you peace of mind in the event of something going wrong during installation. If you are a tradesman, websites such as tradesmansaver.co.uk cover for subcontractors insurance and more.

Ask For Referrals and References

Ask your friends and neighbors about the company’s reputation when it comes to AC installation. For example, if you know someone who has just had their AC done by LBA Services, you might want to contact them. You also should directly ask the company for referrals and then call them. Some important things that you will want to ask the references include; whether or not a clean installation was performed if the system was tested after it was installed to ensure it was installed properly, etc. You can also check online for any customer complaints and reviews. Check their Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating as well.

House Evaluation

A good contractor will provide a thorough evaluation of your home as well as advice on what the best cooling and heating solution is for you. Make sure they performed detailed duct inspections and load calculations for any leaks. The home’s square footage and R-value should be determined among other things by the contractor, and they should provide you with a written estimate for your budget.

Branding

A majority of homeowners assume the popular business or brand is the best company for the job. However, that isn’t always the case. Instead, you should get more information on the company that you are thinking about hiring first before you hire them.

Fair Pricing and Versatility

A good contractor will be knowledgeable on a broad range of models and makes and should feel comfortable working with them all. Fair pricing should be offered as well. But keep in mind that price needs to consider along with a number of other factors. Before you settle on one, get estimates from several different contractors. That is why the perfect air conditioning installation company in New Caney, TX should be charging you affordable fees.

Have you been wondering how to find an HVAC installation expert near New Caney TX or Houston TX? The five tips above can help guide you to finding a reputable and reliable HVAC contractor. Out staff are heating and cooling experts. If you are thinking about buying a new HVAC system or need to have an HVAC repair or installation done, call us today so that we can guarantee quality services to you.

Replace Your Air Filters With Proper Houston HVAC Maintenance

Posted by acman on September 24, 2018

AC Filter Replacing With AC Man Of Houston

Even though it looks like a pointless work, changing your home’s air filter regularly is the alpha of saving money and helping protect your family to stay healthy. However, the million-dollar question is, when should you go for a new filter? Well, below are some factors to consider before making the switch.

Types of Filters

Filters differ from one another in many ways and this is a fact. The difference depends on your air conditioning unit (e.g. Is it located outside or inside). At the same time, expensive filters have been made of quality and durable materials. Furthermore, they apply the latest filtration technology. Therefore, if you purchase a cheaper filter, you will save money, but ion the short-term. HEPA (High-efficiency Particulate Air) filters which are recognized by different Environmental Protection Agencies are the best option. They have been certified to remove at least 99.97% of harmful particles in the air.

Seasonal Factors

Weather can affect the performance of your AC unit. An air conditioner is highly used during warm months (summer) and it is during warm months when pollen and other air pollutants overload the filter. At the same time, moisture causes seals to damage, which leads to leakage of cool air. HVAC professionals advice to people is to cover their outdoor unit during the winter season to protect it from the weather.

Home Residents

The frequency at which you should change your AC filter is affected by everyone in that home. What does this mean? Well, it simply means that your family and the level of comfort they need affects the number of times you will change your AC’s filter. For example, if you or any other person in your family has allergies, then you are forced to change the air filter frequently.

A person with allergies will defiantly feel better if they have few symptoms. Moreover, if you have a pet in your home, you are required to change the air filter regularly.

Houston HVAC Efficiency

Changing an air filter is the beginning of saving money. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a person can reduce the energy used by an air conditioner up 10% if they replaced their air filters regularly. This does help reduce the cost of the electric bill. Changing the air filter does also help improve airflow, which makes the AC run efficiently and properly. Remember, replacing air filters is much less compared to replacing the whole unit.

HVAC Services in Houston

We take pride in our services and always looking to meet our customer’s satisfaction level, timeline, and improve their experience. AC Man of Houston is the place to go for all your AC problems and services. call us today for consultation and scheduling. You can also call us to know more about our heating and cooling services.

What Is A Furnace?

Posted by acman on August 14, 2018

How Do Gas Furnaces Work?

If your home has central heating, you’re fully aware of how useful it can be when temperatures drop. Relying on space heaters in the winter can be very difficult. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with your residential or commercial furnace and understand the basic functionalities of one. What is a furnace and how do gas furnaces work? A gas furnace is exactly what it sounds like; a furnace that’s powered through natural gas. A furnace works to heat a home during the winter. These furnaces usually work quickly, and they tend to be extremely powerful. Gas furnaces also provide cost-effective heating. How do these furnaces operate? While you’re probably not that interested in the technical details, you probably do want to know how your gas furnace operates. When you adjust the settings on your thermostat, a signal is sent to your furnace. The control board on your furnace will receive the signal and check to see if the furnace’s safeties are operating properly. It’s extremely important to monitor safeties during the heating process. AC Man Of Houston listed the top 3 important points that will break down the question we are commonly asked, “how do furnaces work.”

1. Getting Heat From A Natural Gas Furnace

Once the signal has been received and the safeties have been checked, natural gas will ignite in your furnace. The hot air generated by your furnace will be spread throughout your home through your ductwork. If at some point, one of the furnace’s safeties is triggered, the natural gas will be shut off and the furnace will shut down. This will ensure that you and your household will be safe even if something is wrong with your furnace. Your furnace will also set down once your thermostat has reached your desired temperature. If your home drops below the desired temperature, the signal will be sent back to the furnace, and the process will begin again. It’s an advanced process that’s absolutely fascinating. Obviously, not every system operates in the same way. Gas furnaces are very popular, and there are many different models on the market. While your furnace and your thermostat can change this process, this is still how most gas furnaces operate. If you suspect that there is an issue with your gas furnace, the best thing that you can do is shut down the system. Consider getting help from the best furnace repair experts at AC Man Of Houston if you are experiencing any issues, or visit a site that offers free furnace repair estimates so that you can make sure that you are getting the best price!

2. Fueling Your Residential Furnace

Home furnaces are a permanent appliance that delivers heat to space via some sort of intermediary movement. Steam, hot water, and air can all power this major appliance. Generally speaking, a heating appliance that operates via hot water or steam is described as a “residential hot water boiler” or a “residential steam boiler.” Natural gas is the most common fuel source for furnaces in North America, especially modern furnaces. Other popular fuel sources include fuel oil and liquefied petroleum gas. Furnaces fueled by wood or coal are a lot rarer. In certain areas, where electricity costs are a lot lower, homes may use electrical resistance heating. A modern furnace can reach an efficiency level of 98% if it is a high-efficiency model. These furnaces are able to operate without chimneys. The standard gas furnace usually reaches an efficiency level of about 80%. In homes without a chimney, PVC pipes are used to ventilate waste gas and heat mechanically. This can be vented through either the roof or the side of a house. The fuel efficiency of a gas furnace is measured by AFUE or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. If you are having furnace problems, make sure to contact a furnace professional today.

3. Heat Distribution Throughout Your Home

Furnaces use intermediary distribution to transfer heat to a building’s living space. Typically, furnaces are referred to as boilers if that heat is distributed through steam or hot water. A major perk offered by boilers is that they can deliver hot water for showers and washing dishes. This means that a separate water heater isn’t necessary. Of course, this advantage can also be a downside. If a boiler is malfunctioning, both heat and hot water will be unavailable. It’s standard for modern “warm air” furnaces to circulate air throughout a home using a fan. Fans can also pull cold air back towards a furnace so that it can be reheated. This process is referred to as “forced air heat.” Since a fan is able to overcome any resistance provided by a home’s ductwork, the ducts can be arranged in a number of ways. In America, it’s normal to have separate ducts that collect cooler air. The cool air usually enters the furnace through some sort of air filter. It moves through the blower before entering the furnace’s heat exchanger. After this, the now warm air is distributed throughout the space. One of the biggest perks of a system like this is that it makes it easy to install a central AC system. The only thing that needs to be added is a cooling coil at the furnace’s outlet. Both warm and cool air can be circulated via the ductwork. The ducts can be insulated or uninsulated, and they can be made from sheet metal or a plastic material. If the ducts in a home have not been sealed with either mastic or foil duct tape, it’s likely that air will leak into unconditioned spaces in the building.

For all of your furnace problems, be sure to reach out to AC Man Of Houston as indoor air quality. If you are still wondering “how do furnaces work” or “what is a furnace” then make sure to check out our blog for more related content. If you would like to speak with a professional furnace repair specialist call us today at (713) 460-2653.

The Most Common Issues Your Houston Heater Or Furnace May Face

Posted by acman on October 23, 2017

Houston Heater And Furnace Problems You See The Most

Heating and air conditioning systems always seem to break down at the most inconvenient times. During the harsh winter weather, many people struggle to find a Houston heater repair company that can help them get their system back in running order. There are so many things that can go wrong, but a few particular issues seem to pop up time and time again.

1. Thermostat

Your HVAC system needs to have a working thermometer, because that is the instrument that indicates when it is time for the system to turn on and off. If it is broken, your fan may not turn on or you could feel warm air coming out. In addition, the system may simply shut down at inopportune times, meaning that your home environment isn’t the best.

2. Filter

You need to change your air filter on a schedule, because it is important to the overall functioning of your air conditioning system. If you let it get dirty, the air won’t be able to flow as well. The furnace is overworked and you may not like the end result.

3. Pilot/Ignition

The electronic ignition or the pilot both serve the same purpose; they are responsible for warming up the air. If they don’t work right, you may not get any heat from your system. If you do get heat, it will likely be intermittent.

4. Air Circulation

The filter has been discussed previously, and it is one of the main reasons why air doesn’t circulate properly. One of the others is a bad fan motor, as well as a broken belt. These two parts are normally the ones that break down, so technicians usually look at them first when they arrive.

5. Maintenance

You need to have regular maintenance on your furnace. It is a good idea to have a professional come out to look at the system once per year. You should also visually inspect the unit periodically. If you don’t do this, your system is more likely to stop working at a moment’s notice.

If you are interested in service for your heater, get in touch with us or call AC Man Houston as soon as possible. We’d be happy to help you!

How To Tell If Your Heater Is In Need Of Maintenance Or Repair

Posted by acman on September 5, 2017

Is Your Heater Making These Noises? You May Need Professional Repairs!

Loud, strange noises suddenly coming from your heater can be incredibly worrying. Without fail, hearing something of that nature means that some sort of problem has presented itself. In some cases, you may be able to resolve the matter yourself, but otherwise, you’ll need the aid of an HVAC repair expert.

To determine whether you need heater repair in Houston, follow along with the guide on common furnace problems below:

1 – Whistling

Whistling furnaces are most commonly associated with duct problems. Your furnace needs sufficient airflow at all times. If your ducts aren’t doing the job, you may need to replace them with larger models.

Before doing so, however, you need to check for any gaps in the ductwork. Duct gaps – particularly where the duct actually joins the furnace – are another common cause for furnace whistling. You should also make sure you don’t have a clogged filter, especially if the problem seems to have developed out of nowhere. A quick, simple test is to simply remove the filter to see if the whistling ceases.

2 – Rattling

Rattling is often a result of a loose duct. You should try reinforcing them with duct tape or extra screws. You can even try adding rubber pads or cork material under the furnace. If you need help lifting it up, a pry bar from your local hardware store will do the trick.

3 – Bouncing

If it sounds as if your furnace is bouncing, you likely have worn bearings. Naturally, you’ll need to replace them. In this instance, your best bet is to work with an HVAC professional.

4 – Banging

Banging sounds that seem to startup as soon as the furnace comes on are generally related to a number of potential issues. Check to see if you can determine exactly where the sound is coming from. If the ducts seem to be the issue, this is likely due to fluctuation that happens when the pressure inside them changes. Check for weak spots and screw on an additional piece of metal for more support.

On the other hand, you could also be looking at a possible problem with your gas-ignition. In this scenario, you might hear something that sounds like a small explosion when the furnace ignites. If you notice that the flame seems to change or doors shaking on the furnace, that’s generally a tell-tale sign. Of course, an issue of that level needs to be handled by a professional.

5 – Squeaking

Squeaking sounds coming from the furnace usually signify that the metal panning or ducts aren’t secure. You can repair this quite easily yourself. Simply reinforce, rehang, or replace the affected parts.

If you aren’t confident that you can fix a problem with your furnace yourself, that’s potentially for the best. You should always play it safe and work with a specialist to be sure that the job is done. When it comes to the local heater repair in Houston in particular, you can always rely upon AC Man Houston in particular. Feel free to get in touch with us by calling (713) 460-2653 or contacting us anytime you have a question or concern!