If you’ve noticed water leaking from your furnace, it could be due to a few different causes. No matter what the reason is, having water leaking from your furnace can lead to more costly repairs in the future if not dealt with promptly. Let’s take a look at some of the most common reasons why furnaces leak water in Spring Hill, FL.

Clogged or Frozen Condensate Line

The condensate line is responsible for draining away any moisture that accumulates in the system during operation. If the condensate line becomes clogged, the water will back up into the system and eventually start to leak out from the bottom of the unit. To fix this issue, you will need to call a professional who will unclog or thaw out the line and make sure it is clear of any debris or blockages.

Drain Pan Is Overflowing

Another reason why your furnace may be leaking water could be because the drain pan is overflowing. The drain pan collects any excess moisture produced by your furnace during operation, and if there is too much water in the pan, it may overflow and start to leak out from underneath your unit.

Humidifier Malfunctioning

If you have an attached humidifier to your furnace, it could be causing your unit to leak water if it isn’t working properly. Humidifiers add moisture into the air, which can increase humidity levels inside your home and help prevent dry air-related issues such as allergies or asthma symptoms.

If your humidifier isn’t functioning correctly, then it can cause an excess amount of moisture to accumulate in your system, which could overflow and lead to a leaky furnace. It is important to call one of our heating repair technicians to deal with the issue.

We offer professional HVAC service. If you are looking for a new furnace, contact Senica Air Conditioning, Inc.

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This post appeared first on Senicaair.com

The vast majority of functional features in a home are placed for a reason, the air vents included. But many people don’t give second thought to whether the air vents are better suited high, such as in the ceiling, or low, such as in the floor.

We’ll discuss the basics, pros and cons of floor and ceiling installation, and how it all depends on your personal preferences.

Air Supply Register and Return Grill Basics

Each room should have a supply and return vent

Let’s begin with how each vent works independently. The supply air vent brings conditioned air from the heating and cooling system into the room through a network of ducts. The return pulls or sucks used or flat air back into the system to be warmed or cooled again.

Some homes only have a supply vent in a room and not both. We’ll go over why this is an issue later on.

How do supply and return vents work?

Essentially, they create air circulation within the room. Everything begins with the ambient air flowing into the HVAC system from the return vent. The air is then warmed or cooled and pushed back into the home through the supply vents. Because of the constant pull push flow, the air eventually flows toward a return vent and begins the cycle again.

Does my vent use an air supply register or a cover?

An air supply register is usually the cover found over a supply vent opening. Registers have either a damper or flaps that move and allow full or partial airflow into the room.

An air vent grill is usually the immoveable grate covering a return vent. Because the grate or slats don’t move, you’ll need to periodically clean the grill and remove dust and debris buildup.

Floor Vent Pros

• More efficient heating: Because of warm air’s natural ability to rise, you’ll enjoy more efficient and effective heating during the colder months with floor air vents.
• Better accessibility: If there’s an issue with a floor vent, you don’t need a step stool or ladder to reach it. Plus, many people simply sweep or vacuum right over them when cleaning.

Floor Vent Cons

• Collecting dust and debris: As dust and other small debris settles on the floor, it’ll also collect on the floor vents. When the HVAC system blows air, the dust simply flies into the air again before resettling. This can trigger or increase respiratory irritation in people and pets.
• Particular furniture arrangement: Depending on the size of the room, you might have to make several compromises for arranging furniture with floor vents.

Ceiling Vent Pros

• More efficient cooling: Homes in the southern half of the United States use air conditioning up to half of the year. Ceiling vents are simply the opening for cool conditioned air which naturally sinks towards the ground.
• Extra floor and wall space: You won’t have to worry about impeding the air flow in or out of a ceiling vent when arranging furniture or hanging photos and other wall décor.

Ceiling Vent Cons

• Potentially higher energy costs: The amount of heat transfer loss through ductwork in the ceiling and/or attic can increase your energy costs as the HVAC system has to produce more conditioned air to compensate.
• Inaccessible: If a ceiling vent needs to be inspected or repaired, you may have to move furniture out of the way for an HVAC technician to stand on a ladder.

Can I Close Vents in Unused Rooms?

Closing the supply vents affects how efficiently your HVAC system operates. Every system is designed to deliver a certain amount of airflow during a heating or cooling cycle based on your home’s square footage. Because the HVAC has no way of knowing if vents are closed, it continues to deliver the conditioned air into the ducts. With a vent closed, air pressure builds and presses on the ductwork, possibly leaking at connection points.

The HVAC also works extra to try and pull non-existent air back in through the returns. With the push pull circulation interrupted, you lose energy efficiency while creating uneven temperature zones in the home.

It all depends on your personal needs

Your heating and cooling preferences may vary, but also consider the climate of where you live. You may find yourself using more air conditioning if it’s warmer year-round. Keep these tips in mind for air vents that fit your personal needs.

• Keep air ducts close to the ceiling: When air ducts are installed near or inside the ceiling, it’s usually the most energy-efficient placement.
• Consider your lifestyle for vent placement: You want the vents in the most usable locations for maximum comfort, but not in places that are inaccessible for cleaning and maintenance.
• Align ductwork with your home’s layout: Homes with open layouts might not need as many vents as traditional walled homes. Also, not all HVAC systems blow air into every room.

Wherever you decide to have the air vents placed in your home, make sure they align with your heating and cooling preferences. Need an expert to help with your air vent? Call Service Champions today.

Hot water is a modern expectation in a home, but not excessively hot. Here we’ll go over reasons why your water heater is suddenly sending super-hot water from the tap and how to change the thermostat to prevent it from happening again.

Reasons your water heater is getting too hot

Broken Thermostat

Most thermostats work for years without issue, while others decide one day they’re done working as they should. Without the thermostat telling the burners or heating element when to turn off, the water continues to heat up and reaches scorching levels.

Check the current thermostat temperature — if it’s set at 140 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s still on the factory setting. Lower it by 15 to 20 degrees then wait two to three hours to test the tap water temperature with a thermometer. If the water temperature is higher than the thermostat, you likely need to call a plumber for a replacement.

Unbalanced or Misaligned Thermostat

Sometimes the thermostat becomes unbalanced or misaligned over time. It needs to be flush and square against the water heater to properly communicate and read the temperature. Use a screwdriver to realign and tighten the screws that hold the thermostat in place.

Faulty Heater Element

If your water heater is electric, it likely has one or two heater elements to warm the water. However, because of their design, the element begins to ground, or fail, as it ages and can go wonky. This includes never turning off which excessively overheats the water until the element burns out and fails.

Mineral Buildup

Mineral buildup inside a hot water heater is common for 85% of the United States — the amount of the country that has hard water. As hard water heats, it begins to evaporate a tiny amount but leaves behind deposits of calcium, magnesium, and other minerals. These harden against the inside and affect whether the thermostat is able to accurately gauge the water temperature.

 Issues with the Pressure Relief Valve

This valve goes into action if the water temperature and/or pressure inside the tank reaches an unsafe level. Pressure and steam are byproducts of water heating; the valve opens to allow tiny amounts of one or both from the tank as regulation. If the valve has an issue, the water temperature and pressure may continue to rise until the tank leaks or bursts.

You can test the valve by moving the flap up and down a few times. If it’s working, you’ll hear a gurgling noise and possibly see a slight stream of water flow out. If not, or you hear a rattle, screech, or different noise(s), contact a plumber immediately.

How to Change the Water Heater Thermostat

The water temperature for your water heater should stay between 120 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit for a couple of reasons. First, water under 120 degrees creates an environment for bacteria like Legionella and others that cause illness to form. Then, water above 140 degrees can cause scalds and burns in a matter of seconds.

Gas Water Heater

Older gas-powered water heaters have the thermostat toward the bottom of the tank as a dial. You’ll see temperature markings on it and can make adjustments with the dial.

Newer models usually house the thermostat behind an access panel on the tank. You’ll need a screwdriver to remove the panel and adjust the thermostat.

1. Turn off the water heater’s power source; we recommend at the circuit breaker.
2. Locate the thermostat access panel and remove the screws with the screwdriver.
3. Remove the insulation to view the thermostat.
4. Some water heaters have two thermostats; if it has two, adjust the top thermostat to a higher temperature than the bottom one.
5. Tuck the insulation back over the thermostat and reattach the access panel.
6. Restore the power to the water heater.
7. Relight the pilot light, if necessary.
8. Wait two to three hours then test the water temperature from a tap.
9. Adjust the temperature as necessary.

Tankless Water Heater

These water heaters only warm the water on demand, such as when you start the dishwasher. Most have a control panel that looks like the thermostat for an HVAC system. Find the temperature control button(s) and make the adjustments there.

When Should I replace my water heater?

With routine water heater maintenance and timely repairs, a tank style water heater should last at least eight to 10 years. Tankless systems have been known to work up to 20 years. A trained plumber should be able to provide insight into how much longer your unit will last.

Suddenly too hot water is a surprise for many people, but adjusting the thermostat on the water heater is relatively easy. Need help with you water heater? Call Service Champions today!

If you and your furry friend are looking to add pops of color to your home, here are our favorite pet friendly plants!

African Violet

Featuring lush purple petals and a striking yellow center, the African violet is small but makes a statement. Care needs include indirect sunlight, average indoor temperatures and humidity, and avoiding air vents and drafty areas.

Baby’s Tears

Tiny teardrop shaped leaves float gently in layers of long stems for a baby’s tears plant. It’s sometimes used as a cover plant for indoor trees, perfect to discourage curious pets from digging. Baby’s tears needs moist but not waterlogged soil, filtered sunlight, and average indoor temperatures above 70 degrees.

Banana

If you have a sunny and warm spot in your home, the banana plant is the perfect addition. Although its leaves can tear easily, the banana plant grows up to six feet indoors and can produce bananas under the right conditions. Its care needs include full sun, well-draining soil, lots of water and humidity.

Spider Plant

The spider plant is one of the more easygoing pet friendly plants there is. Its flowing leaves help purify the air while the plant may produce plantlets that look like small spiders as it matures. It needs indirect but bright light, average indoor temperatures, and water only when the soil begins to dry out.

Venus Fly Trap

If you can somewhat replicate the damp and humid conditions of a South Carolina bog, you’ll be able to enjoy a Venus fly trap for years. This carnivorous plant needs well-draining acidic soil, bright light, and higher indoor temperatures and humidity levels. Oh — it doesn’t mind if you give it a fly or small insect every few weeks either.

Areca Palm

With hundreds of leaflets gently cascading upward on the fronds, the areca palm is a popular pet friendly houseplant. It can handle average indoor temperatures and humidity levels, but does need the soil to dry out between watering. Place the areca palm near a south or westward facing window to let it really shine.

Boston Fern

The Boston fern doesn’t have many wants in life, but high humidity and low light are two strong preferences. This bathroom staple is known for layers of bushy fronds with stubby leaflets. It’s perfect for placing on a stand or in a hanging basket to be admired from below.

Calathea

Known for its comely leaves, the calathea is also known as the rattlesnake or zebra plant because of the stripes or stipples. Give it a shady spot — too much light causes the leaves’ colors to fade — loose, well-draining soil; and high humidity. If the leaves appear a bit dry or crispy, give the plant a good misting from a spray bottle.

Peperomia

A compact but standout plant, the Peperomia family features leaves with various striking patterns. One variety has leaves that look like tiny watermelon rinds, down to the symmetrical white lines. Peperomias need well-draining soil that stays moist but not soggy, and regular indoor temperatures and humidity levels.

Orchid

If you’re looking for a striking but easy to care for plant, then the orchid is the answer. With a slender, gently arching stem and cluster of saturated petals, it usually blooms during the colder months. Make sure your orchid has bright, indirect light, orchid-specific soil, and average temperatures and humidity. Be careful not to overwater as orchids can easily develop fungal diseases, such as root rot.

Mosaic Plant

Like several others on this list, the mosaic plant is known for its colorful leaves. It usually stays on the small side, but can spread out with the right conditions and care. Mosaic plants need moist soil that drains well, average indoor temperatures, higher humidity, and partial sunlight.

Bromeliad

Along with its stunning looks, the bromeliad can grow with or without soil — as an air plant, its roots slowly attach themselves to organic material, such as a tree branch. Give this tropical plant plenty of bright but indirect light, regular water, and average to moderate temperatures and humidity levels.

Ponytail Palm

The flowing fronds make it look a bit unkempt, but the ponytail palm is quite put-together. It loves a shallow container with loamy soil, full sunlight, and average indoor humidity and temperatures. Don’t worry if you forget to water it — the bulbous stem acts as water storage.

Royal Velvet Plant

No, the royal velvet plant isn’t its own light source, though the fine hairs covering the leaves shimmer in the right light angle. It adapts to the container size and may reach maturity in a few weeks. Make sure the royal velvet plant has moist soil with bright light and average indoor temperatures and humidity.

Echeveria

Pet parents know not all succulents are pet-friendly, but the echeveria is. A quick grower, it’s naturally found in the desert and needs indoor conditions to match. Give your echeveria acidic but well-draining soil, full sun, and sparse water and it’ll give you plump, colorful leaves.

Pick any of these pet-friendly plants to enjoy alongside your furry friends for years to come. Call Service Champions today to keep home comfortable for your pets and plants!

Furnace pilot lights rarely go out, but if yours does on a regular basis, it’s likely caused by one of the reasons we’ll discuss. Plus, relighting it doesn’t take much time.

What is a pilot light?

In a gas-powered furnace, it’s the small flame inside the combustion chamber. It stays lit through a continual supply of gas from the gas valve and acts as the point of ignition for the burners. When the thermostat tells the furnace to begin producing heat, the pilot light goes into action.

Reasons Pilot Light Keeps Going Out

Pilot light is dirty

The flame sits inside the pilot opening or orifice. Given its proximity to the burners, ash, soot, dust, and other particulate debris float nearby and occasionally collect in the opening. Without enough gas to keep it burning, the flame slowly goes out. You can usually tell if the opening is dirty because the flame has a yellowish or orange color instead of blue with flecks of green.

Thermocouple fails

The thermocouple is responsible for telling the gas valve when to turn on or off, essentially controlling the gas flow. Made from a copper rod, the thermocouple should have direct contact with the pilot light with the flame fully engulfing the rod. Over time, it may fail for one or more of these reasons.

• • Burned out: Because it’s made of metal, the expansion and contraction cycle of heating and cooling can eventually cause the thermocouple to break or burn out.
  • Dirty: It too is close to the burners which means if the pilot opening is dirty, odds are the thermocouple is also.
  • Bent or off-center: Whether it was bumped when you tried to relight the pilot light or has simply bent over time, the thermocouple needs to be in alignment with the flame. Otherwise, the thermocouple tells the gas to stop flowing.

Drafty Basement or Attic

If your furnace is in the attic or basement, periodically check these rooms for drafts or other air leaks. Window casings are common sources of air leaks, but damaged ducts can also allow enough air in to blow out the pilot light.

How to Re-Light Pilot Light

Because you’re dealing with a gas-fueled appliance, if you think the pilot light is going out because of something else in the furnace, call an HVAC technician.

Reset the Gas and Light the Pilot Light

Check the Manual

The owner’s manual that came with your furnace will have the best instructions for relighting the pilot in the specific make and model. If you can’t find the manual, check the manufacturer’s website. Many companies now keep extensive support documents like manuals online.

Turn off the Gas

Begin by turning off the main power supply to the furnace, usually at the circuit breaker. Then turn off the gas and wait at least five minutes before proceeding. This should be enough time to allow leftover gas in the line and valve to dissipate.

Locate a small dial near the bottom of the furnace — it should have markings for on, off, and pilot. It controls the gas flow to the furnace; turn the dial to pilot to allow gas to again reach the opening.

Locate the reset button for the pilot, then press and hold it while using a long lighter to relight the flame. Once the flame catches, release the reset button.

Pilot Light Safety and Maintenance Tips

Schedule Routine Tune-ups and Maintenance

Maintaining a furnace is important, but when it’s gas-powered, it’s about safety. Regular furnace maintenance allows a trained HVAC technician the chance to fully inspect the system, inside and out. During this appointment, they’ll work through an extensive checklist, including:

• Inspecting the vent system: Certain vents carry warm air to the home while others move toxic gasses and fumes outside. If repairs are needed, the technician makes them during this appointment.
• Check the heat exchanger: This part of the furnace is where carbon monoxide (CO) forms when the gas burns. Because heat exchangers often crack as they age, it’s important to periodically check and repair.

Make sure to Change Your Air Filter

Changing the air filter every two to three months is an easy way to enjoy better indoor air quality through the winter months. Plus, the filter catches dust, hair, and fur which can clog internal components of the furnace.

Place Carbon Monoxide Detectors in Bedrooms

Because CO is undetectable by taste or smell, most people don’t know there’s a CO leak from the furnace until it’s a dangerous situation. That’s why it’s important to keep CO detectors in every room, especially bedrooms. That way if one goes off, day or night, you and loved ones have a chance to leave the home before the leak intensifies.

Pilot lights usually don’t go out, but if yours does, you know how to relight it safely and restore heat to your home. Have questions? Call Service Champions today.

It might look gross and smell the same, but we’re here to say it’s perfectly safe to drink hard water. We’ll discuss what causes hard water, why it’s a nuisance, its health benefits, and how it affects the pipes in your home.

What is hard water?

Hard water is naturally occurring groundwater that leaches minerals from the soil and rocks it passes over. The highest mineral count comes from calcium and magnesium, but also has higher than usual levels of brass, copper, and iron. When hard water flows over surfaces and through pipes, for example, it leaves behind mineral deposits that harden and build in layers as more deposits are left behind.

There are five ranges for hard water, all based on the number of calcium carbonate grains found in a gallon of water:

• Soft: Less than 1 gpg
• Slightly hard: 1 to 3.5 gpg
• Moderately hard:5 to 7 gpg
• Hard: 7 to 10.5 gpg
• Very hard: More than 10.5 gpg

Why do people see hard water as a problem?

Hard water has been known for years to cause a host of cosmetic to minor health issues, thus making it known as a problem.

• Residue on washed dishes: Hard water leaves calcium carbonate deposits behind on technically clean dishes, the spots or film that never seems to go away.
• Dingy laundry: The higher mineral content interacts with many soaps and laundry detergents, preventing them from fully removing stains and odors from fabrics. Plus, the minerals leave fabric feeling rough and scratchy as the fabric prematurely wears out.
• Irritated skin and hair: Because hard water pulls moisture from your skin and hair, you may develop itchy patches or other irritation. And because your skincare products won’t fully rinse away, you may feel a film on your hair and skin.

Drinking Hard Water Actually Has some Health Benefits

A growing body of scientific and medical evidence has found drinking hard water can provide different health benefits, such as:

• Better heart health: The increased amounts of calcium and magnesium in hard water has been linked to improved heart health. Research has found the two minerals increase heart stimulation and efficiency in pumping blood throughout your body.
• Improved immune response: Research points to the high magnesium concentration acting as a stimulation to the immune system, thus possibly offering protection against all cancer types.
• Better insulin regulation and production: Though diabetes may cause lower natural magnesium production, drinking hard water can provide the amount needed for proper insulin production. Magnesium drives the body’s channels responsible for regulating the production.

Better digestive health: In the right combination, calcium and magnesium are good for fighting constipation, easing diarrhea, and assisting with stomach cramps.

The Only Thing Hard Water Hurts are Your Pipes (Potentially)

Because the pipes and plumbing system in a home is rarely seen, it’s hard to know if hard water is affecting the system. But, if you experience any of these situations, you’ll know it is.

• Clogged pipes: Hot water pipes are affected the most. As hard water warms, it deposits even more limescale and minerals. The clogs usually take a while to develop and aren’t apparent until there’s an issue, such as a sewage backup.
• Inefficient appliances: Any appliance that uses water, such as a freezer with an ice machine, is affected by limescale. The wear and tear can reduce the lifespan by up to 50% while increasing your energy costs.
• Cracks or breaks in plumbing: When the pipes clog, the water pressure inside builds. Depending on the pipes’ age, cracks or clear breaks are possible, leaving you with higher water bills and pipe replacement.

Does Drain Cleaner Work on Hard Water Deposits?

They do, but keep in mind drain cleaners simply clean away the deposit — they don’t stop the deposits and limescale from returning. So, they’re a great short-term fix to slow drains and backed up pipes. But never use them in water lines or pipes as the cleaners’ ingredients are harmful if swallowed in any amount.

Is There Anything I Can Do to Help with Hard Water?

Nearly 85% of the United States has hard water, even cities. The prevalence and natural occurrence means most cities and municipal water systems might treat the water but not enough to fully remove the extra minerals.

looks over the system for any potential issues or existing damage. A second option is having the drains and pipes flushed each year, along with the water heater. Another option is installing a water softening system for your home.

Hard water has a bad reputation within reason, but it’s perfectly safe for humans and pets to drink. If hard water is causing issues with your plumbing, call a Service Champions professional today!

Are you considering replacing your older air conditioning and/or heating equipment in the hopes of reducing your energy bills? If your equipment is 10 years old or more, and especially if you have had a number of recent repair issues, it’s smart to look into it. But how much HVAC energy savings could you see, … Continued

The post How to Calculate HVAC Energy Savings Like the Pros appeared first on Arista.

It’s vital during the winter to monitor your heat pump for any strange sounds. These systems typically make louder swooshing noises during the cold season due to the frequently shifting flow of refrigeration. However, several other heat pump noises, like shrieking or buzzing, could mean trouble in Spring, TX.

Thumping

Metal-on-metal thumping usually points to an issue with the system’s fan blades. They may be getting caught on old debris or a chunk of ice. It’s best to immediately turn off the heat pump to prevent further damage.

When the blades are off-kilter, they can bump into other parts, such as nearby wiring. You may even have to entirely replace the fan blades if they bend out of shape or become damaged. Scheduling routine HVAC maintenance twice a year will ensure the system is free of pesky dirt and debris.

Rattling

Many modern heat pumps will produce a rattling sound while they’re running. This noise becomes an issue if it suddenly increases in intensity or starts occurring at random. Some parts of the system may have rattled loose, like the air handler, metal cover, or ductwork.

Grinding

Your heat pump is full of a variety of moving parts, such as motor bearings. When the lubrication on these parts runs dry, they can begin making a grinding or shrieking noise.

Gurgling

Your system’s refrigerant is key to transferring heat in and out of your home. Over time, the system may develop leaks that deplete refrigerant levels. Regular HVAC care minimizes the chances of a refrigerant leak and keeps your system efficient and safe.

Your heat pump needs professional service if it’s making loud grinding, gurgling, rattling, or thumping noises. It’s also important to watch for any other new noises the system doesn’t usually produce. Call Davis Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. for dependable heating service in Spring, TX today.

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Water treatment in commercial facilities is crucial for maintaining a business’s overall health and efficiency. However, one of the main downsides to water treatment is the potential for limescale (calcium carbonate) buildup and the increased costs that it can drive. Industrial descaling solutions are essential in preventing limescale buildup and the associated issues through quick and effective scale removal using acidic cleaning chemicals.

Limescale is a hard, chalky deposit that can form inside pipes and other water-using equipment. It can form on vertical surfaces, pipes, water passages, and more. It is caused by a buildup of calcium and magnesium compounds in the water, which can occur naturally or as a result of water treatment processes. Limescale buildup, especially on heat transfer surfaces, can cause several problems, including reduced water flow, increased energy costs, and damage to equipment. An industrial scale remover, which includes hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, citric acid, or sulfamic acid, can help remove scale quickly. These formulations typically are liquid in form, low foaming, and include superior corrosion inhibitors to protect metal surfaces, ferrous metals, and others from damage. Specific formulas also exist for different applications or metals, like copper, stainless steel, and more.

One of the most significant challenges of water treatment programs is keeping scale and minerals suspended, and when they adhere to surfaces (and they will) big problems start. One of the biggest downsides to limescale buildup is the increased costs that it can drive. Limescale can cause a decrease in the operating efficiency of water-using equipment, leading to higher energy costs. Commercial and industrial systems using water as a heat exchange medium are particularly susceptible to scale. These include industrial equipment like chiller tubes, boiler tubes, heat exchangers, and cooling towers. Additionally, the buildup can cause damage to equipment, which can be costly to repair or replace. Commercial facilities may need to invest in industrial descaling solutions such as acidic cleaners or high-pressure descaling to combat the limescale problem, which can also add to their costs.

Despite the downsides, water treatment has many benefits in commercial facilities. For example, it can help to ensure that the water is safe to drink and use, it can help to prevent the growth of bacteria and other harmful organisms, and it can help to improve the overall quality of the water. Additionally, water treatment can help to reduce the number of pollutants in the water and can help to conserve resources by reducing the amount of water that is used.

In conclusion, water treatment in commercial facilities is an essential aspect of maintaining a business’s overall health and efficiency. While there are many benefits to water treatment, there are also some downsides that should be considered, such as the potential for limescale buildup and the increased costs that it can drive. To ensure that the water treatment process is effective and efficient, it is crucial to invest in industrial descaling solutions such as chemical descaling or high-pressure descaling and to regularly maintain and check equipment to prevent limescale buildup.

This post appeared first on Goodway.com

Furnace Ignites Then Turns Off – What’s The Problem?

When you try to turn your furnace on, and nothing happens, you know something is wrong. If the air coming out is cold when it should be warm, you should call an HVAC contractor. What happens when the furnace kicks on, blows warm air and then shuts down before the room is heated? There is just as much need to find out what the problem is when this happens as there is when the furnace simply refuses to operate. Not only does your home remain uncomfortable, but the chances of the furnace not working at all are increased if the problem isn’t fixed now.

Here is what we find to be the biggest causes of this on and off cycle, which is referred to as short-cycling.

A Complicated Thing

Your furnace is made up of many complex systems that all work together to ensure you have a comfortable temperature in your home. Many of these are switches that operate in a chain reaction. If one fails, it halts the whole chain of those that come after. There are also many safety features in a furnace that help keep it safe for your family. If the furnace is experiencing problems that could result in a fire, it may fail to ignite properly. Keep this in mind when the frustration hits. Here are other reasons your furnace may be short-cycling. In all cases, it is important that you don’t have anyone work on your furnace that is not trained as an HVAC specialist. Many things in your home lend themselves to DIY; your furnace is not one of them.

#1 Flame Sensor

The flame sensor does exactly what it sounds like, it senses when the flame of the furnace is on and sends a message to the control board to start blowing warm air. If dirt or dust covers the sensor, the flame isn’t detected, and the furnace shuts down. Sometimes all that is needed is a simple cleaning of the flame sensor, but it may also be worn out and need to be replaced.

#2 Flame Rollout Switch

This switch keeps track of how hot the burners are. If air doesn’t reach the burner and then open the flue that releases the heat, the flame rollout switch will shut the furnace down, so it doesn’t get too hot and catch fire.

#3 Pressure Switch

The pressure switch is tripped when enough air flow is sensed for ignition to continue. If something prevents an adequate amount of air flow, the switch won’t operate, and the furnace will cease to continue firing up.

#4 Control Board

This is the brain of your furnace. It receives messages from all the other parts of your furnace. Any disconnect in allowing messages through will prevent the control board from allowing your furnace to work properly. The control board itself may become defective if wires disconnect or fray power will not be sent to run the furnace.

#5 Draft Inducer Motor

This motor is responsible for drawing air into your furnace and through the burner. This causes the pressure switch to react, which sends a message to the control board that all is in order. If this motor fails, the air is not drawn into the furnace, and the process of ignition is halted.

Air Flow

As you can see from the above causes, proper airflow is necessary for a furnace to function at top form. If your furnace is located in a place where it is unable to experience proper airflow above, below, and around it, you will have problems with the furnace operating properly. The best way to find out if your furnace is located in an appropriate place is to have a heating repair specialist come in to check your furnace. While they do a yearly maintenance check, they can also tell you if your furnace would operate better if moved.

Final Words

If your furnace comes on and then shuts off, and you don’t feel comfortable, contact us for an evaluation of the problem. Your furnace serves an important role in keeping your family comfortable. It is essential that any work is done by an HVAC specialist who has been trained to understand how the furnace works. Not only is comfort involved but also safety is as well. If it has been a while since you have had a furnace check-up, have one of our representatives give it a look once over to make sure you won’t be left out in the cold when you most need your furnace to cooperate. Your comfort is our greatest goal here at Howard Air in Phoenix. 

Schedule an appointment today!

Feature image: Dmytro Zinkevych on Shutterstock

The post Furnace Ignites Then Turns Off – What’s The Problem? first appeared on Howard Air Conditioning. This post appeared first on Howardair.com