Name: Bounds Heating & Air
Address: 25645 West, Newberry Road, Newberry, FL, 32669
Telephone: 352-472-2761

6 Pro Tips for Troubleshooting Your Heater

While Florida’s winter is relatively moderate, it is still nice to have your heat available when you want it. Finding that your heater isn’t working well (or not running altogether) can be stressful, but you may not need to call an HVAC technician just yet.

First, try some of these tips to troubleshoot what may be happening — then give the pros at Bounds Heating & Air a call:

HEATER NOT WORKING

There can be a litany of reasons behind why your heater isn’t running, and not all necessitate you hiring a professional to handle the issue.

Check the Thermostat

The first move you should make is to check your thermostat. While you may assume that your thermostat’s settings are what they’re supposed to be, you should still make sure it is set to “heat.” For the heater to switch on, the temperature on your thermostat may need to be at least five degrees above room temperature.

Also, check to see if your thermostat is set to “auto” versus “on.” If it’s set to “auto,” the heater should start up automatically when your home’s temperature drops a few degrees below the temperature specified on the thermostat. If your thermostat is set to “on,” then your system’s fan will continue circulating air even if your heater isn’t heating it. This setting can make it feel like cold or room temperature air is coming from your air vents, so you may want to switch to “auto.”

It’s best to make sure your settings are correct to avoid the embarrassment of hiring a technician only to find out nothing was wrong.

Check the Circuit Breaker

If your thermostat settings are fine, you should check your home’s breaker panel and look for the circuit that controls your heater’s indoor unit. If you own a heat pump, also check the circuit associated with the outdoor unit. If you find that the breaker has been set to the “Off” position, or it’s in the middle, you should test your breaker by flipping it back and forth. After flipping the breaker, make sure that it is placed in the “On” position.

Flipping the switch will restart the circuit that controls the heater’s indoor unit. If it’s still not working despite resetting your circuit breaker, you might have an issue with the wiring in the circuit or the circuit breaker itself. In that case, it’s better to hire an experienced professional to fix your problem.

Check the Furnace Door

As a safety precaution, some furnaces won’t run unless their door is closed securely. Double-check that the door is in place by opening it and firmly shutting it.

HEATER STRUGGLING TO WARM YOUR HOME

If you turned your heating system back on for the winter and found it struggling to warm your home effectively, the problem may not be as severe as you might think.

Replace Your Clogged Filter

If your furnace is struggling to produce the usual amount of heat, this could signify that your furnace’s filter is clogged. This common maintenance chore is a relatively easy fix and is an excellent way to improve your air quality.

Air filters typically last for up to 90 days, but heavy HVAC system use can clog a filter in as little as 30 to 60 days. Replace the filter with a new one but make sure your filter is pointed in the right direction because that could hurt its effectiveness.

Clear and Clean the Space Around Your Furnace

Did you know that heaters require proper airflow and ventilation to function well? If your heater isn’t working well, you might need to declutter and clean the surrounding area.

If the area around your furnace is surrounded by objects, it can hurt how effectively your home is heated. Not only can clutter around your furnace affect your heating, but it also represents a potential fire hazard.

Regularly cleaning the area surrounding your heater is a great way to maintain its health while removing the flammable items from the site. Dust and lint also pose a fire hazard and can cause clogs sooner than usual, which requires you to replace your filter more often.

Check Your Vents

Blocked vents could be hurting the heat flow in your home. It would be best if you walked through your home, checking all your ducts to make sure that they’re unblocked. You should remove any piece of furniture or debris blocking the openings of your vents to allow the heat to flow freely throughout your home.

If all your attempts to troubleshoot your heating system fail, call (352) 472-2761 to have the experienced professionals at Bounds Heating & Air handle all your HVAC issues.

Is It Time to Replace Your Air Conditioner?

There comes a time in the life of every HVAC system when a replacement becomes necessary. Sometimes the signs are obvious; maybe your air conditioner has begun to emit odd sounds or smells, shown a marked drop in performance, or started to require more frequent repairs. Other times, the signs may not be immediately noticeable. Allow our HVAC repair and service professionals at Bounds Heating & Air to show you a few of the common signs that you may be due for a brand-new air conditioner.

Increase in Energy Bills

Older HVAC models are often found to be less energy-efficient than the newer models of today. In fact, the Department of Energy actually recommends upgrading aging HVAC equipment to that which has been certified with an ENERGY STAR® rating. The savings you’ll receive from making this switch are often enough to justify the cost of a new air conditioner. Moreover, choosing to operate inefficient HVAC systems will often set you back more than simply replacing it would.

Old Age

Most air conditioning systems have an estimated life span of 15 years. Any additional year beyond this 15-year benchmark is typically a bonus. At this point, you can expect your unit to require far more frequent air conditioning repair visits than usual, and the cost of these repairs can quickly add up. When it comes to this, it would be much more practical to have a new air conditioner installed rather than to continue to shell out money for more and more service visits.

Uneven Cooling

Regular wear and tear can be greatly slowed down by proper maintenance, but over time, they’ll still take their toll on your unit. One way this becomes apparent is when you begin to notice that your AC no longer cools as effectively as before. When this happens, it’s time to consider installing a new unit.

At Bounds Heating & Air, we’re your number one provider of HVAC maintenance, repair, and installation services. Give us a call at 352-472-2761 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your heating or air conditioning repair or installation service today. We serve clients in Alachua, FL.

Caring for Your Home’s HVAC System

The typical HVAC system has a service life of 8 to 20 years. The magic number, however, is 12. If your HVAC system has been in use for at least 12 years and has started breaking down, it’s a good time for a replacement, letting you avoid costs associated with excessive repairs and energy inefficiency without failing to make the most of your HVAC system’s service life.

A Numbers Game

To determine if you’ll be better off with repairs or a replacement, keep in mind the “5,000 rule”. Multiply the age of your HVAC system by the costs of repair, and if you get less than $5,000, you can go ahead and carry out repairs. If you end up with an amount exceeding $5,000, however, your more practical choice is to do a replacement.

If you’re opting for repairs, take into consideration as well how many times you’ll be doing so. An older unit may require frequent repairs, which could end up setting you back significantly given you have to spend a couple of hundred dollars each time. Buy an energy-efficient air conditioner instead and you’ll spend between $3,600 and $7,200 but are also looking at 20% savings on heating and cooling down the line, according to ENERGY STAR®.

On the other hand, it’s also crucial to keep in mind that if it’s not broken, there’s no need to fix it. If your system doesn’t have leaks and your energy bill is not high for unknown reasons, you should invest in quality repairs, rather a replacement. A thorough inspection from an HVAC expert will clue you in on your system’s current condition.

Quick Note

Got a freon-based air conditioner? A primary ingredient in the refrigerant freon will no longer be imported by or produced in the United States starting Jan. 1, 2020. While this doesn’t mean you have to replace your unit, it may make services more difficult to come by and, consequently, more expensive. Depending on your needs, this may offer a point in favor of replacing an air conditioning unit.

Category: Replacement