Fall Maintenance & Furnace Checks

Temperatures have become mild here in Lincoln, NE, football and other fall sports have returned. This can only mean… You guessed it, heating season is on it’s way. Here at Bryant we’ve been getting calls for heating checks and begun performing the heating portion of our Energy Savings Plan (ESP). One out of the blue cool week and it’s like mother nature sent out an email saying fall and consistently cooler temps are coming soon, get prepared.

Unlike cooling season there really isn’t really a limitation of the work that can be done depending on outdoor temps. Your heating can be fully checked out and heat change provided by your heating unit can be tested. With cooling checks the outdoors temperatures need to reach a certain temp to ensure the efficiency of the system for spring and summer is accurately represented.

Since our temps are becoming mild and many homeowners are taking advantage of the prime weather by opening windows and testing out the furnace or heat pump’s heating setting isn’t a nuisance. Having this service performed earlier in the year can be done, however is less common due to the fact that the home will be warmed by the heating system being run during the check.

Why is it good to have the furnace checked? We encourage homeowners to have their furnace checked by a trained professional. By having this seasonal maintenance performed you will be aware of the state of your heating system. Bryant technicians check to ensure that the wiring and electrical components aren’t showing signs of failure. They thoroughly check the heating components and clean the burners so you can be confident that your home and family is safe from carbon monoxide (CO) gases.

During the furnace maintenance our technicians clean the furnace cabinet as well as check and replace the furnace filter if needed. If you have a humidifier it’s a good idea to have it’s operation inspected. We suggest changing the water panel at the beginning of fall. This way you are sure you have a clean panel for your heating season use.

If you would like to have your furnace or heat pump inspected for proper heating operation call Bryant Air Conditioning, Heating, Electrical & Plumbing or complete their contact to request someone contact you to schedule a furnace check.

4 Electrical Problems That Can Affect Your HVAC System

Clogged air filters, freezing refrigerant lines, dirty evaporator coils: all are examples of HVAC problems that are easy to spot if you know where
to look. But sometimes an electrical issue inside your furnace or air conditioner can present a problem that is harder to track down. Here is an
overview of four electrical problems that can affect your heating and air conditioning.

1. Overloaded Circuit

When your furnace or air conditioner trips the breaker, flipping the breaker back to the “on” position isn’t a fix. While this will get your HVAC system working again in the short term, you need to find out what caused the breaker to flip in the first place. This will keep the problem from recurring and ensure that your system isn’t creating a fire hazard in your home.

Your furnace or air conditioner will trip the breaker when it is pulling in more power than the circuit is designed to handle. This means that any usage changes or airflow blockages that place extra strain on the system can lead to a flipped breaker. Common causes of this increased strain include a clogged air filter, blocked airflow around the outdoor condenser, or a faulty thermostat.

2. Wiring Issues

The wiring in your furnace and air conditioner can experience wear and tear like the rest of the unit. If there is exposed wiring inside these appliances, it can lead to a short that shuts down the entire system. It is also possible for the vibrations caused by the blower motor running can shake wires loose from their connections.  This can cause the blower to shut off or disrupt power flow to other important electrical components. Same goes for the wiring in your air conditioner, due to the vibrations generated by the compressor wiring can eventually jostle loose.

Your furnace and air conditioner experience a surge of power when they start up. This surge, as well as surges that can occur during a power outage, can create an overflow of current in your system’s wiring. This can lead to shorts and may even create a fire hazard inside the unit. If your furnace or air conditioner starts shutting off on its own after a power outage, call a technician for inspection.

3. Malfunctioning Capacitors

Your furnace and central air conditioner rely on two types of capacitors for proper function: start capacitors, and run capacitors. The start capacitors provide the jolt of energy needed to start the blower motor and run capacitors store energy to ensure that the system receives a steady supply of voltage for the entire time that it’s running.

If the start capacitor is going bad in your HVAC system, you will often notice a symptom called “hard starting.” Hard starting is when the system has trouble starting up, often stuttering as the blower motor tries to spin up. A furnace and air conditioner with a bad run capacitor may make an electrical humming noise while barely running or shut off a short time after the blower motor starts.

4. Burnt Out Blower Motor

Over time the blower motor in your furnace will experience wear that could cause it to burn out. The key is to maintain your furnace to reduce the likelihood of a burnout and extend the life of your heater. A blower motor burnout is more likely if dust buildup, bad capacitors, or other problems are causing the motor to overheat as it runs.

A blower motor that is burnt out or overheating will create a number of symptoms while your furnace or air conditioner is running. You may notice a burning smell from your vents, or your system may shut itself off frequently as a safety measure.

Electrical issues are one aspect of furnace and air conditioner repair that can be difficult to diagnose, but knowing the symptoms will help you call for repairs when your system needs it. Contact us at Bryant Air Conditioning & Heating Electrical & Plumbing Company for all of your HVAC repair needs.

One Stop Shop

Are you planning on building a new home or a remodel in your home? No matter how large or small the project one thing we can suggest is give Bryant a call! If you are general contracting your own project you have a lot of organizing to handle. Selecting a company that cross off three different contractors off your list can help you avoid some headaches in the future. (more…)

What’s the Right Filter

During your search for the right filter for your home you could spend a lot of time in the filter aisle reading labels and trying to make sense of all the information listed. What you’ll find is various ratings listed to explain efficiency and lists of what each filter will capture. What you won’t see is the amount of airflow restriction a filter will have. Increasing airflow restriction is not good for your heating and cooling system. Hopefully this article can help  you identify what is best for you and your home. (more…)

5 Key Elements of an HVAC Installation Quote

Whether you’re seeking a heat pump, central air unit, or furnace installation, one of the first steps of the installation process is a professional quote. A heating and air conditioning professional will visit your home, inspect the area, and take measurements near the installation site and of the major components of the system.
Learn about five key elements to expect in your installation quote. With so many options, brands and information, it can become overwhelming, but breaking down the elements and knowing what to expect can make the process easier. If there is information you are not sure about ask the HVAC representative(s) you have asked for quotes to clarify, if the company is worth selecting to complete your project they will take the time to ensure you understand the information provided. (more…)

Let’s Make That Decision Easier

This day and age a showroom might seem counter intuitive. However, we believe a showroom can help make your decision easier and help us answer all your questions about the options we have to offer. Don’t get us wrong, there’s nothing wrong with shopping online or looking through promotional material to make a selection, but for some of us seeing is believing. (more…)

3 Ways to Encourage Even Home Heat

If you own a two-story home, then the top floor of your house may become warmer than the first floor during the winter months when using your home heating system. While this problem is not uncommon, it can be a nuisance.

Thankfully, you don’t have to live with an unevenly heated home when you can try several solutions to this problem. Read on to learn three ways to encourage even home heat during the winter months when running your home heating system. (more…)

Add A Humidifier For Better Air Quality

Controlling the humidity in your home is really what HVAC is about as well as comfort. Every home is different, largely due to geographic location and climate, the build of your home also plays a big part. Here in Lincoln, Nebraska homeowner fight the battle of high humidity in the summers and dry air in the winters. The premise behind air conditioning is not just to lower the air temperature in your home, but to remove humidity. Why? The dryer the air the cooler the air will feel. For this reason an air conditioner system that removes humidity efficiently from your home will provide better comfort than one that doesn’t.

When we turn to heating season and your HVAC system is circulating dry warm air we suggest adding humidity to improve your comfort during those colder months. (more…)

Electrical Issues That Affect Your Heating and Air

Clogged air filters, freezing refrigerant lines, dirty evaporator coils: all are examples of HVAC problems that are easy to spot if you know where
to look. But sometimes an electrical issue inside your furnace or air conditioner can present a problem that is harder to track down. Here is an
overview of four electrical problems that can affect your heating and air conditioning.

1. Overloaded Circuit
2. Wiring Issues
3. Burnt Out Blower Motor

Overloaded Circuit

When your furnace or air conditioner trips the breaker, flipping the breaker back to the “on” position isn’t a fix. While this will get your HVAC system working again in the short term, you need to find out what caused the breaker to flip in the first place. This will keep the problem from recurring and ensure that your system isn’t creating a fire hazard in your home. (more…)

4 FAQ About Water Softeners

A water softener’s primary function is to remove minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, from the water supply in your home. These minerals make your water hard, which causes a whole host of problems.

If you would like to know more about this home appliance, here are the answers to four frequently asked questions about water softeners.

1. How Do Homeowners Know If They Need a Water Softener?

If your water is hard, here are some signs that you may run across in your home:

• Your water flows slowly from the faucets due to a buildup of mineral deposits in the pipes.
• There is a crusty buildup of limescale on your plumbing fixtures, sinks, and tiles.
• Your tap water has an odd taste.
• Your clothes are hard to clean, and they contain a soapy residue after washing them.

You might also have hard water if most everyone in your household has dry, itchy skin or their hair looks dull. Dry itchy skin can result from bathing in hard water, and dull hair can happen because hard water makes it more difficult to rinse out the shampoo and conditioner. (more…)