Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Furnace Repair Tips for the Do-It-Yourself Home Owner
Before performing any maintenance on a furnace, you should read the owner's manual that came with it, so that you are familiar with your particular furnace. Besides making sure that the furnace filter is changed on a regular basis, there are also some preventative maintenance tasks that you can take care of. Be sure to reference these tasks in your owner's manual, to make sure you understand how it should be performed for your furnace.
Do a thorough visual examination of your furnace, paying special attention to the visible electrical connections and wires. If you find any loose wires, unraveled wires, loose screws or nuts, or anything that looks like it has been burned, this can be a sign of problems. You can make the repairs yourself if you are comfortable doing so. Otherwise, have an HVAC professional, like those at Champs Mechanical, take care of this furnace repair for you.
You should also inspect your chimney and vent connection pipe for any gaps or signs of rust. The components of your venting system are prone to deterioration over time, so you should inspect them at least once each year. Any problems should be repaired immediately.
It is also important to make sure that you furnace is cycling properly, and that your thermostat is accurate. You can use your thermostat to confirm that it is properly cycling through the start-up and shut-down phases. Then, before you complete your inspection, be sure that the safety switch on the furnace door popped out when the door was removed. To avoid any problems with this safety feature, clean it and remove any obstructions so that it operates smoothly.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Keeping your HVAC Equipment in Prime Condition
Perhaps the most common task you need to carry out in maintaining HVAC equipment is change the filters, which have been installed in them. These filters can be purchased at one of the many retailers that specialize in selling such products. You could purchase the filters for prices as low as $1 but would also have to contend with low quality. Better quality filters would perhaps cost a little more but would also save you the trouble of making frequent changes to the retailers shop. These filters need to be changed every 60 days if you wish to leave the system running in good condition. They will also help your HVAC system pump air at a consistent speed.
Removing dust and dirt from the blower is another job that you will need to carry out on a regular basis. Here too you can use the vacuum cleaner in your home to remove the accumulated dust and dirt from the blower.
While the tasks mentioned above can be carried out by any person, there are some tasks, which are best, left to be handled by a qualified HVAC technician. Look for companies like Atlanta HVAC, where all technicians carry state licenses. In depth maintenance tasks are better handled by people qualified and trained at these jobs. Trying to carry out such tasks without any experience will only lead to damages of the system.
Friday, May 7, 2010
A Career in HVAC
There are a number of HVAC schools throughout the country which provide in-depth training in this industry. The training can take an average of 1 to 2 years depending on the courseload. There are also programs of a apprenticeship which may take longer but offer the benefit of having a paid job while you learn. The cost to attend an HVAC school is also quite reasonable. The typical cost for HVAC training will only be a few thousand dollars. This may seem like a lot, but compared to the cost of a four year college degree it can be a bargain.
Finding a job after training can also be very successful. HVAC repair is something which cannot be outsourced overseas. There is always a demand for qualified technicians and this training can almost guarantee you a job. Many of the schools will also have placement programs to help find a job for you. Many of the schools even have waiting lists for qualified technicians because the demand is so high.
So, if you are in search of a new career because you have lost your current job and your industry has collapsed, or you are freshly of high school and deciding on whether or not to pursue a four year degree and take your chances of finding a job, a career in HVAC may be right for you. Always javascript:void(0)compare the programs at several schools to see what may be the best fit for you. Tuition and the level of instruction can vary greatly from each of these institutions.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
2 Common Types of Heating Systems
Whether you are planning to purchase a new heating system or upgrade the existing one, it is cirtical that you carefully sift through the available options. This is necessary to ensure that you will be able to acquire the applicable type of heater that matches your heating needs and home specifications. Since there are a number of viable options avaialable for you, it is essential that you become acquainted with the existing choices to help you locate the best one. To help you do that, here are 2 typical types of heating systems that are widely used in many households today.
- Hot Water Heating System – This type of home heating system is powered by hot water that circulates from the main boiler to the pipes, and then delivered to the radiator connected to different rooms in the house. This is the common choice among homeowners that have a crunched space. Since it uses a boiler, it takes up lesser space as compared to heating systems that uses a furnace. The heater’s boiler can be fueled by electricity, oil, natural gas, or propane. The greatest advantage of a hot water heating system is the fact that it is very energy-efficient. However, the main downside is that it takes a long time before the system can effetively heat up the house.
- Forced Air Heating System – A centralized forced air heating system delivers warm air with the help of a built-in fan through a series of ducts installed within the house. This is perhaps the most common type of heating system applied for domestic use. If you are looking for a heating system that can rapidly distribute warm air to every room in the house, then this type is the best choice for you. They do not require expensive installation, and they are capable of providing continuous air circulation.
It is important that you closely examine each type of heating system to ensure that you’ll end up with the right choice. And when you encounter heating problems, make sure to find a credible and reliable technician that specialize in heater repair.