Are you wondering what you should do if your heating or cooling isn’t working?  Checking these simple items first might be able to save you the cost of a service repair call.

Before you call for repair:

1. Is the thermostat set in the correct mode? Verify that it is set either to heat or cool, and that the system is turned on. Most systems have a built in delay, so wait a few minutes after making any adjustment to see if your system comes on.
2. Verify your thermostat batteries are not dead. Many but not all thermostats have batteries to do a variety of tasks.  It is a good idea to change your thermostat batteries every six months when you change the batteries in your smoke detector. Often there is an indicator on the display (look for something like “batt”) when the batteries are weak.  If you are not sure how to access the batteries (or if your unit has them at all), have your technician show you at your next preventive maintenance appointment.
3. Make sure your windows are all closed. When we are at the time of year where you are alternating between running your HVAC system and opening your windows, it is easy to miss one.
4. Check your airflow. If a decrease in your HVAC system’s airflow is concerning you, make sure that something is not blocking your supply or return air registers.  This is also a good time to make sure that the filter is clean or replaced with a fresh one.
5. Check the outdoor temperature. Most air conditioners are only able to cool the air about 20 degrees from what the outdoor air temperature is. On a very hot day if your air conditioner seems to be struggling to keep up, just be patient and try to avoid activities that can heat up the house.
6. Check your fuse box. Sometimes resetting the breaker is all that is needed to get your HVAC system running again. Be careful with this one though, if it happens more than once a technician should be called to determine the reason.

If your heating or cooling does not come on, it is time to call the professionals.  Call Ierna’s Heating & Cooling (813) 948-6355 and one of our trained technicians will get your HVAC system running again.

Did you know that your heating and cooling system typically uses more energy than any other system in your home?  U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy estimates that about 43% of your bill is devoted to heating and cooling!

You can easily save money by appropriately maintaining and upgrading your HVAC system. However, says the EERE, upgrading to an energy-efficient furnace alone will not have as great an impact on your energy bills as using the whole-house approach to reducing energy consumption. Homeowners should combine proper equipment maintenance and upgrades with appropriate insulation, air sealing, and thermostat settings. The EERE estimates homeowners doing so can cut energy use for heating and cooling, and reduce environmental emissions, from 20 percent to 50 percent.

Heating and Cooling Tips from the EERE :

• Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable in the winter and as high as comfortable in the summer;  you can save up to 10% on heating and cooling costs with this simple adjustment
• Clean or replace filters on furnaces once a month or as needed
• Turn off kitchen, bath, and other exhaust fans within 20 minutes after you are done cooking or bathing; when replacing exhaust fans, consider installing high-efficiency, low-noise models
• Invest in system maintenance; hire a professional to inspect your system once a year
• During the heating season, keep the draperies and shades on your south-facing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight to enter your home and closed at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows
• Check for disconnected or crushed duct work; if air flow is restricted your system can be overworked
• During the cooling season, keep the window coverings closed during the day to prevent solar gain

Long-Term Savings Tips from the EERE

• Select energy-efficient products when you buy new heating and cooling equipment; contractors should be able to give you energy fact sheets for different types, models, and designs to help you compare energy usage
• For air conditioners: look for a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER); the current minimum is 13 SEER for central air conditioners while ENERGY STAR models are 14 SEER or more

To learn more about Ierna’s Heating & Cooling go to: www.IernaAir.com, call (813)948-6355, or visit the company’s Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or LinkedIn pages. 

Source: Department of Energy