Importance of Checking your Furnace

(A 15-Point Inspection guide)

Winter is Officially here and checking your furnace is very important, not only to make sure that any parts or repairs can be made before you need to use the furnace but to be positive that everything is in working order and you and your family are not at risk of Carbon Monoxide poisoning – a large worry for many people using furnaces.

Though most routine checks are pretty standard, there are seven very important parts that should be double-checked to make sure everything is functioning properly.

Use this checklist to stay on top of your furnace maintenance.

1. Condition of the Flue Stack: The pipe is similar to an exhaust on your car. If you breathe in this poisonous gas, it can cause serious health issues including vomiting, headaches, and even death, depending on the levels of Carbon Monoxide gas.
   
2. Furnace Filter: There’s a lot to be learned from the furnace filter. If it’s dirty, it could mean that the system may not have been serviced for some time. In that case, the condition of the blower should be checked, as well as the condition of the AC coil. If the filter is clean, it could mean that someone has just changed it or that the system has been kept in good working order.
   
3. Heat Exchanger: This is the area where the fire burns in the furnace. If there is a hole or crack of some kind, it could be a serious hazard. A defect of that type could cause a fire or even Carbon Monoxide poisoning.
   
4. Gas Leaks: Even the smallest of gas leaks can be hazardous by causing fires or explosions. Gas leaks should be checked for during every service call since with the constant opening and closing of the gas valve during the winter, gas leaks can be quite common.
   
5. Amp Draws and Voltage Drops: It’s possible to have premature failure of electrical parts, which are expensive and sometimes hard to find and replace. Also, if the supplied power to the electrical components isn’t correct, you could have premature failure as well as poor efficiency. Checking before the cold winter months hit means that there won’t be any downtime with your furnace during the months you need it most.
   
6. Safety Devices and Safety Switches: Why we check it? Any time a safety device or switch fails, you will lose heat. By design, when the gas valve misfires or the motors inside the furnace are not working properly, the safety switches turn off the furnace and keep it off so that it protects you from fire and from damaging the appliance through malfunction.
   
7. Combustion Air: As probably the most overlooked issue in the furnace industry, it’s very important that this is checked during a maintenance visit. Without extra air for the fuel, air may not be venting out of the flues correctly. For example, if your furnace or water heater is located in the laundry room and you turn your dryer on, you will create a negative pressure in the room. And if a vent fan in the room is on, you will create a negative pressure in the room. Without air from the outside for the fuel-burning appliance, the appliance may not vent correctly and fuel gases will vent into your home instead, causing Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

If you feel uncomfortable checking these items yourself, Coastal Refrigeration Heating & Air performs a 15 point furnace checkup, which includes the above items, to make sure your furnace is up and running for the winter season.

Why is an Air Conditioning tune-up a good Idea?

TUNE-UP IS A GOOD IDEA?

If you’ve ever wondered whether an AC Tune-Up  is 
really necessary, ask yourself these questions:

•   Would you like to save money on energy costs? 
•    Are you looking for a way to help your expensive air conditioning equipment last longer? 
•    Are you interested in improving your ac system’s performance and efficiency? 
•    Have you ever wished that you could help prevent costly and inconvenient air conditioning breakdowns?
•    Do you want to protect your family with better air conditioning safety?
•    Is comfort important in your home?

If you are like most homeowners, the answer to all these questions is a resounding yes.  Fortunately, regular HVAC tune-ups can bring you all these benefits, and more.  According to www.energystar.gov, a yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort and pre-season check-ups can prevent future problems and unwanted costs.  

While there are certainly some steps that you can and should take to maintain your air conditioning system, such as regularly changing or cleaning the filters, it’s best to leave the tune-up process to a qualified HVAC professional.  A trained air conditioning specialist can troubleshoot for potential problems while performing the necessary checks and maintenance activities.  A professional contractor will also be familiar with your particular brand and model and may be able to offer specific suggestions for optimum operational efficiency.  

During a complete air conditioning, Tuen Up you should expect the specialist to: 

•    Inspect coolant levels and pressure
•    Calibrate thermostat(s) and check proper cycle and temperature
•    Inspect and tighten wiring, contacts, capacitors, and relay
•    Ensure the evaporator coil is clean
•    Ensure the condensate drain is clear
•    Inspect and clean the condenser
•    Inspect the outdoor disconnect
•    Inspect the condenser fan motor and blades; lubricate if needed
•    Check compressor amps at startup
•    Perform additional safety and efficiency checks, as needed


Your local Coastal Refrigeration Heating and Air Conditioning specialist will handle these important tasks during each ac tune-up and will be happy to share maintenance tips and answer any questions you have about your equipment.  Your Coastal Refrigeration Heating and Air Conditioning professional will also present a completed Tune-Up Checklist and will share any concerns about or recommendations for your air conditioning system’s peak performance.  

Even better, protect your air conditioning investment and your budget with a convenient and economical Coastal Refrigeration Heating and Air Conditioning   With a  maintenance agreement you’ll receive two seasonal tune-ups of your system as part of the package, plus preferred pricing, priority emergency service, and many other benefits.   You’ll enjoy peace of mind knowing that a Coastal Refrigeration Heating and Air Conditioning specialist has performed routine maintenance on your system twice a year and has taken preventive measures to check for possible problems.

Why Hire A Licensed Contractor?

The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) protects consumers by licensing and regulating California’s construction industry. Think about it, if you hire a non-licensed contractor you have no protection as a consumer. The person you hire may not be insured, bonded, and may not know what he is doing.

• Anyone in California that is performing construction work, which totals $500 or more in labor and materials must be licensed by the Contractors State License Board.
• Must demonstrate at least 4 years of experience/education in the trade
• Must be bonded
• Unlicensed contractors do not pay taxes, insurance, or follow safety laws

The most important take-away is your peace of mind. We encourage you to work with a licensed contractor to protect yourself and help those contractors who are honest and licensed. 

Do you need a HVAC Technician?

It’s Summertime and you want to make sure your Air Conditioning unit is well maintained. 

If you need a local air conditioning service and repair professional, Coastal Refrigeration Heating and Air technicians are thoroughly background checked and receive ongoing training to ensure they deliver the best possible air conditioning repairs available.

If your air conditioning system is broken beyond repair or you want to upgrade due to safety or reliability concerns, our skilled technicians can install a new HVAC system quickly to ensure maximum comfort in your home. We can help you choose from a wide variety of top-quality air conditioning systems with extended warranties that provide up to 10 years of coverage. Please ask us how we can help.