Air Handler Maintenance

Since the term Air Handler could be new to some people, we better explain what an Air Handler is before going into the details of its maintenance. Air Handling Unit (AHU) or Air Handler is a device which is used to regulate and circulate the air as part of an HVAC system. Apparently, an Air Handler consists of a metal box large in size which has a blower, filter chambers, heating and cooling elements, dampers and sound attenuators. This device called an Air Handler is usually connected to a ductwork system that spreads the air throughout the home and then returns the stale and non-conditioned air back to the Air Handler. Not only does an Air Handler regulates and circulates the air, it also cleanses it by using Air Filters. In order to have an effective circulation of cold air throughout the home, Air Handler system is necessary if you’re using a Heat Pump.

Air Handler Maintenance Checklist

Who doesn't want home comfort? Anyone in the house? Na! No one! All of us want to enjoy an ultimate comfort when we're at home but we often forget that this comfort comes with the help of some appliances and that appliances need maintenance too. In a hot Summer afternoon, what makes our afternoon soothing is the operation of an Air Handler. So if you wish to never run short of that comfort, make sure you're keeping good care of all your home comfort heating and cooling appliances, primarily your Air Handler. Consider checking the overall system efficiency. Here goes the checklist:

Check Fan Blades

Just like the fan blades of Air Conditioner need to be cleaned for optimal performance, the fan blades of an Air Handler also want this cleaning. Blades accumulated with dust and debris have a hard time doing their job. Ease their discomfort by cleaning the blades carefully as to neither damage the blades nor hurt yourself. Use a soft brush preferably.

Check Moving Parts

The moving parts of the device need to be checked for corrosion, rust and repair needs.

Check Fan Shaft

Done with checking fan blades? Now check the bearing collar set screws on the shaft. Are they tight? If not screw them.

Check Dampers

Do not forget dampers in your checklist. The dampers have to be clean for optimal performance and if dust and clogs are found on dampers, you know what to do; cleaning. Also, check that dampers linking and actuators are aligned and operational. The damper connections need lubrication too.

Check Coils, Valves and Refrigerant Lines

All the coils, valves, refrigerant lines, have to be cleaned and should be free from leaks and other damages

Check Condensation Pans

When checking your Air Handler, carefully check the Condensation Pan which sometimes gets rusted. It has to be rust-free in all conditions.

Check Cooling Coils

Are your cooling coils drain and blown to remove moisture? If this is not the case, make the settings.

Check Freezestat

One of the most important checklists is checking of Freezestat. Carefully check its set temperature and also make sure that it is operating well.

Great! You did it you did it! Congratulations!

Taking care of the home comfort heating and cooling appliances does require an effort but once you're done with maintenance, not only you feel good from the inside, you also feel relaxed on the outside when the comfort is doubled. Remember that no appliance can ever work efficiently or last longer without proper maintenance. So whether it is a heating and cooling appliance or any other, maintenance anyway. That's good for you good for your appliance.

Happy DIY Maintenance!

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Air Conditioner Troubleshooting

They say; ''Your Air Conditioner will stop working on the hottest Summer day''. Ah! how cruel of them to make such a statement. But in real, it seems that the same happens. Recall the last time you had an Air Conditioner breakdown, what time of the season it was? Most probably, a hot Summer day. Well, even though the bad wishes of someone may not come true for us, accidents are nonetheless accidents. They don't ask before taking place. So it is sane to equip yourself with some AC troubleshooting to use them in the hour of need. Ready Steady, Go!

Air Conditioner Troubleshooting

No Air Movement

You must have experienced this problem at some point in life with your Air Conditioner when no air seems to move through the home. While the Air Conditioner itself is responsible for cooling the air, the fan circulates it and air handler moves it through the house. So when there's no air movement and the Air Conditioner seems on, check the fan if it is also operational. As a second resort, check the air handler to see if there's some problem with the air handler. Until a technician comes, at least make sure what problem is your Air Conditioner going through. You'd need to check for a tripped breaker if the unit doesn't seem to work at all.

No Air Cooling

Problem#1 talks about when there's no air movement at all. Here's problem#2, i.e when the air is felt circulating but is not getting cooled. What did we learn a little while ago? That, the Air Conditioner Evaporator is responsible for cooling. When the air is not getting conditioned, the possibilities are here under:

The evaporator coil could be accumulated with dust and debris making the process of heat exchange less efficient. Clean the evaporator coil. Also, check the inside as well as the outside unit to make sure they're operational. Don't forget to check the Thermostat to make sure it is set at the desired temperature.

Did it solve your problem?

Yes? Great!

No? Wait for the technician to come.

Overflowing Drain Pan

The drain pan is supposed to have water in it that builds due to condensation but remember that a little presence and an overflowing condition are different and hopefully, you're wise enough to differentiate between them. When the water starts overflowing in the drain pan, it shows that the drain lines are having some kind of blockage. Clear the lines and along with that, check also the electric pump that takes the water from the drain pan to drain line.

Constantly Running System

One of the most common issues faced by the homeowners, i.e system running continuously. When this happens, there are more than 80% possibilities that it is due to the wrong Thermostat settings or Thermostat malfunctioning. Quickly reset the Thermostat and wait to see if the problem persists. If it does, oh! The technician is on his way to your home. Please wait!

Bottom Line

Professionals are professionals, there's no denying the fact. But there are times when you have to help yourself by yourself either because a professional help cannot be afforded or cannot be sought right away due to one reason or the other. Therefore, it is good, in fact, important to learn some troubleshooting for your home comfort heating and cooling appliances. Hope our troubleshooting tips helped you out.

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3 Common Thermostats Problems and their solutions

Thermostats are of great help. They not only help save energy but also help prolong the life of HVAC appliances by not allowing them to run 24/7. But everything that gives ease sometimes also causes unexpected unease. In the case of Thermostats, although the latest makes and models of Thermostats particularly the Smart Thermostats are easy to use and easy to install, there yet arise issues that leave an individual both irritated and bewildered. Just like some HVAC noises and HVAC odours are of serious nature and some totally normal, the Thermostat issues can also be of one of the two categories. Some are serious problems that require a professional's help, however, the rest are not worrisome and are also easy to troubleshoot. We are about to reveal solutions to 3 common Thermostat problems. If you're facing system ON-OFF issues, overheating Thermostat problem or any other that is related to Thermostat, brace yourself to explore these troubleshooting ways. Ready? Let's go!

3 Common Thermostats problems and their solutions

Problem 1: System doesn't start at all

What if you turn your system ON and it doesn't turn ON? A sudden thought of system break down shakes you inside within a second but there are 90% possibilities that nothing such has happened. What you need to do quickly, in this case, is to check the breakers and reset them. Try replacing the fuse as a second option. If that does not fix the problem, quick check the batteries of Thermostat and replace them. You'd be amazed to know but several times people waste hundreds of dollars on a repair visit of a professional while the only problem for the non-functioning of their system is old batteries. So before you become one such homeowner to spend a hefty amount on a professional's visit, try to troubleshoot with all the possible ways. Since Thermostats battery problem is the most commonly heard reason why HVAC system won't work at all when turned ON, don't forget to use this hack.

Problem2: Different appliance temperature from the one set on Thermostat

People install Thermostats and still complain of fatty energy bills sometimes also blaming the brand. The problem, however, is not with the brands or the Thermostat, it is rather with the way the Thermostat is used. Most people think purchasing a costly Thermostat and mounting it will start to lower their bills, totally ignoring the fact that a proper installation affects the efficiency of Thermostat to a great extent. The reason why appliance's temperature is different from the one set on Thermostat is the wrong placement of the Thermostat. If the Thermostat is located at a place where it can receive direct heat, sunlight or any other source of energy, it fails to detect the actual temperature and thus runs appliances on extreme temperatures which automatically contributes to higher energy bills. Relocate your thermostat if this is what your problem is.

Problem 3: HVAC system fails to turn off when needed

How do Thermostats contribute in saving energy? They do so by automatically lowering or even turning the appliances OFF when the desired room temperature is created. Sometimes, the system stops tripping and as a consequence runs constantly rising energy bills. This happens because of the same reason which has been described above; the improper mounting of the Thermostat. Even when the desired room temperature is created, the system does not turn off because the Thermostat is continuously receiving energy and is sensing the temperature as hot. Do the same as in problem 2; Relocate Thermostat at a proper location.

Have you been battling with Thermostat problems? Was this article of any use? Don't forget to give your feedback.

Happy Heating and Cooling!

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Air Handler Maintenance