Benefits of a UV Light for your HVAC Equipment

Share on:

Now that we are getting out of the cooling season and fall has shown her face, you may notice mold or mildew around your unit. These fungi thrive in moist, warm environments like air conditioning coils and other components and can cause many issues, respiratory problems, allergies, and other health issues. Viral illnesses are more common in the fall because the cold weather can suppress your immune system and increase your vulnerability to infections. Upper respiratory infections, including the common cold and flu, are more common in colder seasons due to changes in temperature and humidity and our behavior, such as spending more time indoors.
A UV light is designed to kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms that can cause health problems, neutralizing harmful pathogens. A UV light can improve the quality of the air in your home or business and reduce the risk of illness and improve overall indoor air quality. Also, when dust, dirt, and other debris accumulate on coils, it can reduce the efficiency of the system and cause it to work harder than necessary. By eliminating these contaminants with a UV light, HVAC systems can operate more efficiently and last longer by keeping coils and other components clean.
To schedule an appointment or have any questions about a UV light call Able Heat & Cool, LLC at 636-528-4794.

Share on:

Checking and changing filter

Share on:

The super cold Canadian weather is approaching us very quickly. With this wintry weather coming in this means a possible number of things can go wrong with your heating unit. As I stress yet again the importance of proper maintenance. Checking the filter and changing it monthly will improve the efficiency of your furnace and result in better air quality. When dirt enters the coils or air ducts, it can put your furnace and health at risk. Don’t forget to check your registers and vents to make sure they are open and not covered. Also, we recommend checking and keeping exterior vents and chimney clear of ice and snow. Help us keep you and your family warm and healthy for the upcoming holidays.
Able Heat & Cool, LLC wishes everyone a warm and safe Merry Christmas!

Share on:

It’s Fall! Have you checked your furnace?

Share on:

It’s Fall, and our favorite time of year. The leaves are changing, and it is so beautiful. Unfortunately, that is also a sign of cold weather ahead. Before that happens, October is a good time to check a few important things before your initial startup for the heating season to ensure your Electric or Gas furnace is working properly. Able Heat and Cool, LLC desires that No one be left in the cold.
Here are some simple suggestions.
1. Check your filter. If you have a disposable filter remove the old and replace it with a clean replacement. Make sure it is the proper size that your furnace manufacturer’s calls for. If you have a washable filter, wash according to manufacturer’s directions, and allow it to dry completely before replacing it back into the filter compartment.
2. Inspect all your registers and return air grills making sure they are open and not blocked. These should never be closed or blocked. This restricts air flow to your HVAC system, which could create performance issues or overheat the system. If you want to close off areas in your home that are unused, make sure you never close off more than 20% of your heating and cooling system registers.
3. Make sure the surrounding area of your furnace is clean and clear. You should never store flammable or combustible material items such as rags, wood, paint, gasoline, or cleaners around your furnace. Look at the front of your furnace and give it a good dusting if needed.
4. Mark your calendar MONTHLY to check your filter(s), making sure it is not dirty and we suggest changing it out at least every 3 months. Also, this a good time to check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Test your detectors to make sure they are working properly and give them a dusting as well.
Now that you have checked a few of these important things, turn your furnace on. Let it run and make sure it is working and warming correctly.
Able Heat & Cool, LLC hopes these simple tips worked well for you. Able Heat & Cool, LLC is always here for all your HVAC needs, Call us at 636-528-4794.

Share on:

The Furnace Won’t Shut Off

Share on:

First, we need to determine what part of the furnace is not shutting off… is it the blower fan that’s blowing continuously or are the gas furnace burners or electric heat strips in an Electric Furnace known as an Air Handler Unit (AHU) not cycling off?

Since these are two separate issues, we’ll address them separately:

1) The Blower Fan: the blower fan’s function is to push the air (heated or not) through the duct system. In normal operation, the fan should be turning off as the gas burners or electric heat strips cycle. If it is not shutting off, a common cause may be as simple as checking to see if the thermostat fan setting is on AUTO. If not, switch it from On to Auto. If this does not solve the issue, it could be the thermostat or control related.

If cool/cold air is blowing out, first check the air filter; a dirty furnace filter is one of the biggest causes for a furnace to continuously run or “short cycle”. It restricts airflow across the heat exchanger which causes it to get too hot then the furnace goes into the cool down mode, will run the fan continuously and will cause your furnace to blow cold air. When the AHU heat strips are not coming or the gas furnace pilot light won’t light or stay lit, may be control related.

When to call for a Service Technician to diagnose the problem: If it won’t light or it keeps going out, or the AHU heating strips are not generating heat

2) Heat Won’t Shut Off: when hot air continues to blow through the registers and the temperature rises past the thermostat setting, the furnace burners or electric heat strips are not turning off. Check the thermostat by turning it lowering the temperature setting to see if furnace or AHU shuts off. If not, the thermostat batteries may need replaced. If changing batteries did not solve the issue, it could be time to call a HVAC service technician to diagnose and repair your furnace correctly.

There are many reasons your furnace could be running more than usual and most of the causes fall back to regular maintenance. Proper HVAC maintenance is necessary to keep the HVAC equipment tuned and running efficient and will also help cut energy costs to save you money. Unfortunately, even with proper maintenance, as the heating and cooling equipment age and the demands of constant use, sometimes there are unexpected and unwelcomed failures.

Our goal is to help you get the most out of your existing equipment before furnace replacement is inevitable. If you find yourself needing furnace repair services, contact the HVAC contractors at ABLE Heat & Cool 636-528-4794 or visit our website https://www.ableheatcool.biz

Share on:

Heating Equipment Limit Switches

Share on:

1) What’s a Limit Switch?

Limit switches are components in every piece of heating equipment, be it gas furnaces or air handlers with electric heat.

2) Are Limit Switches Important?

Yes, especially the high limit switch. It’s named appropriately and is a safety measure to turn off the gas furnace or AHU with electric heat strips if the temperature inside the unit goes above the degree limit of the switch. Example: 160* degree limit switch is in place; the blower motor stops working and stops moving air through the unit. However, the flames are still on or the electric heat strips are still on and the temperature continues to rise. When the inside of the unit reaches the high limit of 160*, the switch turns off the unit.

3) Common Limit Switches

High limit switch – discussed above
Fan Control limit switch – The fan control switch monitors the temperature inside the heating equipment. When the desired temperature is reached, the fan switch turns on the blower motor to push warm, cozy air through the ducts and out the registers.

Causes that Trip a Limit Switch:

A dirty/clogged filter – restricts and blocks proper air flow into the furnace or AHU and will cause the temperature to rise. If the temperature raises high enough, the High limit switch will trip and will shut off the unit. Check the filter regularly and change it as needed.

The blower motor – check if the blower motor is working…is air moving out of the registers? Manually change the thermostat fan setting from “auto” to the “on” position and check air flow from the registers. If the blower motor is not working and no air is being blown through the furnace or AHU, it will reach the “degree limit” of the switch and the high limit switch will trip, shutting off the unit.

There are many parts and controls working together to keep that comfortable warm temperature in our homes. If the filter is clean and the blower motor is working, a limit switch can wear out and fail. There is always a reason that causes limit switches to trip and it may be time to call for a furnace repair service professional to thoroughly check the heating equipment for safety and proper operation.

Share on: