Things to Check Before Calling Heating Repair Service

Make a Quick Electrical Inspection

Start with the basics. Before contacting for HVAC service, be sure there isn’t a power outage in your neighborhood.
Examine the circuit breaker panel. If your HVAC unit’s breaker has tripped, reset it to see if your air conditioning starts up again. Call a service expert for your HVAC system or an electrician if the circuit keeps tripping.
Examine the on/off switches. Some appliances include an on/off switch close to the inside air conditioner and another switch close to the outside compressor. Because they may store a lot of power, these switches should be handled with caution.

If you have a gas furnace, ensure sure the gas service has not been disconnected. Because of a leak, the gas provider may occasionally turn off the gas service. They will switch off the gas supply without warning. Look for a red tag or a lock on the gas valve that leads to the meter.

Check the Thermostat

The incorrect temperature on the thermostat is frequently the cause of your furnace not heating your home. So, check the thermostat temperature and set it higher than the current interior temperature. This temperature difference will help the heat to circulate more quickly throughout the house.
Batteries are used in certain thermostats. Replace the batteries in your thermostat if it seems to be dead by taking it off the wall.
Keep an eye on the weather outside. Your air conditioner might not be able to chill your home as effectively if it is really hot outdoors. This does not imply that your AC is damaged. You might just need to use fans to supplement your AC.

Check the Filters

A clogged and unclean air filter might be the root of your inefficient heating. An severely unclean air filter becomes overly restrictive, preventing fresh air from entering the furnace. In addition, a lack of ventilation may cause your furnace to shut down regularly. So, if your air filter becomes blocked and dusty, replace it right away. It is simple to determine the cleanliness of the air filter; simply hold it up to the light; if you can see through it, it is OK; if you cannot see through it, replacement is the only alternative left.

Check the Air Vents

Inspect the furnace’s exhaust and air intake pipes, which are located outside your home. Check for any blockages created by debris, leaves, or other materials, and if so, remove them. During heavy snowfalls, the exhaust pipes and vents become blocked with snow, leading the furnace to shut off abruptly. By clearing the snow, you may be able to restart your furnace.

Check the Panel Switches

Panel switches are included on almost all air handlers. Panel switches are safety switches that guarantee the electricity to the air handler or furnace (indoor unit) is turned off if the panel becomes loose or is removed for servicing. It guards against unintended shock or damage caused by moving parts inside the furnace/air handler. The HVAC system will not function if the panel becomes loose. Check to see whether the panels have come loose for any reason.

But here’s one more piece of advice: never ignore annual maintenance. Many of the issues listed above can be detected and remedied during your yearly inspection. This means no disruption in service, as well as cost savings and fewer repairs down the line.

If you are looking to get your unit inspected before the winter, give us a call at (410)864-9280.

NOTE:

If you are hesitant about inspecting any of these items, contact for service and let the professional address the problem for you. Some homeowners who went too far in attempting to fix their own system ended up causing more harm than if they had waited for an expert. In a few cases, the homeowner endangered themselves and others by attempting to repair something themselves. As a result, your inspections should be measured and limited to your degree of comfort in the list above. Anything above that should be handled by a certified specialist.