Homeowner Maintenance Manual

S E C T I O N 4 — H OM E C OM P O N E N T S A N D T O P I C S

TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS No heat or auxiliary heat stays on when outside temperature is 30 degrees or above. Before calling for service, check to confirm that: • The thermostat is set to “heat” and the temperature is set above the room temperature. • The breaker on the main electrical panel is on. (Remember, if a breaker trips, you must turn it from the tripped position to the off position before you can turn it back on.) • The filter is clean to allow airflow. • The vents in individual rooms are open. • The air returns are unobstructed. • Snow or other materials do not block the outside unit. • The outside coil does not have excessive ice buildup. Even if the troubleshooting tips do not identify a solution, the information you gather will be useful to the service provider you call. Homeowner Care and Maintenance If your home contains a heat pump system, you should be aware of the performance characteristics unique to those systems. As with any system, read the manufacturer’s literature and follow all instructions for efficient operation and maintenance of your system. Clean or replace filters once a month. Air Circulation Across Coils Keep the outside unit clear of any materials that would interfere with air circulation. Snow, ice, landscaping materials, trash, leaves and other accumulating items can cause A heat pump system operates differently from a gas forced-air furnace. The same system provides both heat and air conditioning. This is possible because a refrigerant flows back and forth in the coils of the heat pump, controlled by a reversing valve. In the heating mode, the heat pump removes heat from the outside air and transfers it to the inside air. In the cooling mode, it does just the opposite, removing heat from the inside air and discharging it outside of the home. The thermostat inside your home controls this heating or cooling activity. Air Temperature at Vents Do not expect dramatic temperature differences in the air coming from the vents as is common with other kinds of systems. The coils used in a heat pump system operate at lower temperatures than those common in a gas forced air system. As a result, for example, in the heat mode, air from the supply vents will typically range from 85 to 90 degrees F. The vents will not feel hot, though the air discharged is warmer than the air in the room by as much as 20 degrees. inefficiency or damage the unit. Air Conditioning and Heating

Go to Section Start Go to Index Go to Table of Contents

C E N T U R Y C OMM U N I T I E S

PA G E 4 . 1 9