HVAC Tips 101: "...Before you call your A/C & Heating Contractor"

by Marvin Ray Williams

Overview

Homeowners will more likely attempt to change a washer in their kitchen's leaky faucet; install a light switch, or even add an addition to the bathroom before they ever consider attempting to address issues with their HVAC system due to its unique capabilities, functionality and design. In comparison, most informational books in the same category are much too technical, leaving the reader at a lost, and frustrated. HVAC Tips 101 "…Before you call your A/C & Heating Contractor" is not only user friendly, it also provides quick-easy-safe to use instructions. In addition, this book offers an honest approach to letting the reader know when they have reached the point beyond their scope of trouble shooting. The outline of this book is designed to help the reader trouble shoot while learning basic theory along the way of its role in the systems operational process, while keeping it comprehensible.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781098358136
Publisher:	BookBaby
Publication date:	02/04/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	64
File size:	610 KB

About the Author

With over 30 years in the HVAC industry, Marvin had the privilege of working as a technician across multiple states and abroad and operated his own A/C business as a licensed HVAC contractor for 10 years. Graduated Lincoln Technical Institute 1989, Capitol Heights Maryland, and became a member of the Refrigeration Services Engineering Society. Additionally, he holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Ashford University. As a retired veteran, he has served honorably, collectively for 25 years in two branches of the military; Navy, and Air Force.

Table of Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Introduction l

Chapter 1 What to Expect from This Book? 3

1.1 Safety 3

1.2 Basic troubleshooting took: eyes, ears and nose 4

1.3 Communicating with your HVAC contractor 5

1.4 Pricing Structure 5

Chapter 2 Recognizing Your Central System Type 7

2.1 Split Central System or Package Unit Central System 7

2.2 Electric Heat 8

2.3 Heat Pump 10

2.4 Natural Gas 12

2.5 Propane Furnace 12

2.6 Oil Furnace 13

2.7 Refrigerant Types 13

2.8 Understanding your systems components 14

Chapter 3 Leaking Water 17

3.1 Condensate drain lines 18

3.2 Condensate Pump 19

3.3 Auxiliary drain pan (overflow) 19

3.4 Primary drain pan rusted or cracked 20

3.5 Icing/Freezing up 20

Chapter 4 Unit Doesn't Come OnWhat to check? 21

4.1 Circuit breaker/fuse 21

4.2 Service disconnect 22

4.3 Gas furnace blower compartment door 23

4.4 Auxiliary drain pan (overflow) 23

4.5 Thermostat 24

Chapter 5 Evaporator Coil Icing/Freezing up 25

5.1 Dirty air filter 25

5.2 Dirty evaporator coil 26

5.3 Indoor blower motor not running/operating 26

5.4 Low on Freon 27

5.5 Thermostat temperature setting too low 27

Chapter 6 Unit Not Cooling 29

6.1 Dirty condenser coils 29

6.2 Condensing unit not running/operating 30

6.3 Furnace/Air Handler not running/operating 31

6.4 Improperly sized system 32

6.5 House not insulated 33

6.6 System aged and inefficient 34

6.7 Overcbarged/too much freon 34

6.8 Dirty air filter (see chapter 5.1) 34

6.9 Dirty evaporator (see chapter 5.2) 34

6.10 Low on freon (see chapter 5.4) 34

Chapter 7 Unit Not Heating 35

7.1 Blowing cold air 35

7.2 Auxiliary heat failed (Heat Pump Only) 36

7.3 What type of furnace do I have? (see chapter 2) 37

7.4 Low on Freon (Heat Pump Only) (see chapter 5.4) 37

Chapter 8 Thermostats 38

8.1 Digital Thermostats 38

8.1.1 Non-programmable Digital Thermostat 39

8.1.2 Programmable Digital Thermostat 40

8.2 Analog/Mercury filled Thermostats 40

Chapter 9 Ducts/Airflow 41

9.1 Flex Duct 41

9.2 Fiberglass duct board 42

9.3 Sheet metal 42

9.4 Return air 43

9.5 Duct cleaning 43

Chapter 10 Preventative Maintenance 45

10.1 Semi Annual/Annual check-ups 45

10.2 Typical routine, minimum check-up 46

10.3 Things you can safely do between servicing 48

Chapter 11 Warranties (how they work) 49

11.1 Manufactures warranty 49

11.2 Labor warranty 50

About the Author 51