ARS Rescue RooterAir Conditioning, Heating, Indoor Air Quality, Plumbing, Drain Cleaning & Sewer Lines

My heat is blowing out cold air for the past 12 hours or more. The hot water works fine. The gas company said my pilot light may be out. HELP, WE ARE COLD!

Expert Answer

If you have a standing…

I was just wondering if you could answer a question for me. I'm out of heating oil and don’t have the money to get the required 100 gallons for a delivery. Since it's summer and I only need it for hot water, everyone keeps telling me to get diesel fuel. Is that ok? It won't break the furnace will it?

Expert Answer

I never recommend using an alternate fuel unless the equipment manufacturer lists it as a suitable fuel source. The heat content and properties of combustion will be different between fuels, and an unrated fuel…

We have gotten quotes on replacing our furnace. How important is the efficiency rating? Two quotes have 80,000 BTU furnaces but one is for a 70,000 BTU furnace. Is there a big difference? Also, all units were dual stage but one was with a variable speed motor, how important is that?

Expert Answer

The efficiency ratings are very important since they tell you how much of the heat from your fuel gas will be supplied to the house. The lowest is now 80% which means that 20% of the heat that you pay for is…

My house has two wall-mounted gas heaters. Can these heaters be replaced with a central gas heater? The house has 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, a living room, and a dining room. What is the estimated cost of installation of the new central heating system if it can be installed in my home?

Expert Answer

There are several different options you can consider for installing air conditioning and heat. One good option may be a ductless mini…

I have two zones supported by two Infinity thermostats and two heat pumps from a leading manufacturer. I would like to learn more about how to do the following: 1) internet enable monitoring and control/settings 2) integrate to home automation (lighting, security, etc).

Expert Answer

The best source of information regarding the capabilities and programming of your specific equipment is to check the manufacturer's website.  There you should be able to locate additional information…

We had our air ducts and vents cleaned 5 days ago. I checked the filter and it was black. We use filtrete 1250 filters. Before the air ducts were cleaned I had to change the filter in less than a month although these filters I purchased are supposed to last up to 3 months. The entire unit is about 25 years old and runs through the attic. The only upgrade I have installed by your company is a UV light that was installed in 2008. Today I noticed that I had black dust in my nose as the rest of family had this issue. What could be the problem? Thanks for your time.

Expert Answer

I suggest you contact the air duct cleaning company and let them know what is happening. The dirt that was in the ductwork has…

I have a Comfortmaker Heating System. Unfortunately, I can't locate the maintenance information for it. I need to replace the filter and am uncertain if it is the washable kind? Can you help please? It measures 16 1/2 x 20 1/2 from edge to edge. Thanks!

Expert Answer

If the filter on your heating system is washable, there should be a label on it…

We have Carrier High Performance heat pump, installed in the past 8 months. This past week, we have had heavy snow (30") and ice (outdoor temperature 20F-25F) in our DC/MD area, but the heat pump heating function has been fine. Each day when I have been sweeping the snow away from the outdoor unit, the fan blades have been turning normally. This morning, however, I noticed the fan blades were not turning and that a large amount of snow and some ice had built up on the blades. (But the heater function had still been working OK during the night.) As soon as I removed the snow, the fan started up, but it was then badly out of balance, causing the whole unit to shake. I turned off the heat pump, removed the grill with the fan-motor unit, and scraped off ice that had built up mostly on two of the blades. After replacing the fan and grill, the fan now turned smoothly, without shaking. We have a wood stove that also provides heat to the main part of the house, and the heat pump unit shuts off when the wood stove is fired up. Maybe the snow is building up especially during these times. Now I am turning on the heat pump for a minute or two, every hour or two, when the wood stove is operating, to prevent snow build up again. What I would like to know, in case this happens again: Is it important to have the fan turning for the heating function of the heat pump to operate efficiently during winter weather like this? If so, is there anything I could spray on the blades to prevent ice and snow build up? Other suggestions?

Expert Answer

If the weather conditions are bad and snowy, the heat pump has to be kept clear to operate properly. With 30 inches of snow, this may be a…

My Carrier heating unit is making a loud thumping sound about 45 seconds before it starts to blow air. I have had two techs out to try to figure it out and they have not found anything wrong. The thumping drives us nuts! It is definitely NOT normal. Both techs heard the noise, but neither of them could find the problem. The second tech took the time to go through the heating system, step by step, with me. We could not recreate the issue, but once out of the attic, he heard the noise for himself. This is a different sound than one hears when the ceiling filter is being sucked up to the top of its housing or being dropped back down when the system turns off. It's a dull, muffled "THUMP," wait 45 seconds or so, then the blower can be heard coming on. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Expert Answer

There is a possibility that the filter is being pulled up into the return grill. This sometimes happens when you use a high density…

My furnace is working properly, but the blower will only run in the on position. When I put it on auto the unit will light up and heat. The fan limit switch rotates and makes the first click which should start the fan, but after the click the fan will not come on. I can reach over and switch it to the on position and it will heat properly. Can you please help me figure out why it will not run in the auto position?

Expert Answer

It sounds like you have the older fan/limit switch on your furnace that has three pointers on a round dial. The first pointer is the fan shut off.…

Went to turn on the heat last night (gas) but all I received was the fan blowing non warm air. Then I couldn't get the fan to stop blowing even with the system totally off (from the control panel), no matter what I did. Finally I went into the attic and turned the whole heating system off since it was the only way to get the fan to stop. I hardly ever turn the heat on so is it possible the pilot light just went out somehow?

Expert Answer

If the fan is running all of the time with the thermostat in the “off” position and the fan in the “auto” position, you have…

Have a Coleman Evcon heater at my mom's that is working but blows out cold to warm heat from the vents. It also smells of gas. My sister and I are only trying to get the place ready to sell and need to know if this is something we can fix ourselves or do we need to call an expert? We don't have a lot of funds.

Expert Answer

If you smell gas, shut off the unit as soon as possible and contact a professional HVAC contractor, such as ARS San Diego at (858) 805-0613. This may be a…

When our furnace won't come on and the temperature is below the selected temperature on the thermostat, we have to go and turn the switch off that is attached to the furnace, then turn it back on. Then it will come on instantly. But during the night, it will mostly NOT come on and getting up twice a night to flip the switch is getting old. We have your ARS sticker on the furnace and we have only had the house for about 3 years. The last check up on the furnace was before we purchased the house. Can you figure this out? It doesn't do this every time. It just seems to have a mind of its own.

Expert Answer

Most likely the flame sensor needs to be cleaned. If the flame sensor is dirty, it will not sense the burners. Flame sensors indicate that a flame is present and are part of the furnace’s safety circuit…

I have a break box that has a cracked breaker support (the plastic holder that the breakers plug into). I will need to replace either that pieace or I will need a new breaker panel installed. The breaker panel is a GE TLM-612R model. I would like know a ball park figure or what ARS might charge to this kind of repair?

Expert Answer

I am sorry but we cannot get parts for your breaker box.  The Appliance & Electrical Manager of our ARS/RescueRooter branch in Austin, TX has emailed you and…

The gas turns on, it ignites, lasts 1-2 sec then gas stops. Repeats.

Expert Answer

Answer: It sounds like something is telling the gas valve to turn off. This could be a safety device or a defective gas valve. The flame sensor may be dirty which would keep it from sensing the burners. Flame…

There is a constant ringing noise that sounds as if it is coming from a heating/air vent. This is the only location in my house where I hear the noise. What could be causing this?

Expert Answer

If the noise is coming from the return vent you may be getting the noise that is being pulled through the grill. Sometimes if you flip…

The pilot light [on my furnace] goes out as soon as I release the knob. When relighting the pilot, it comes on but immediately goes out before I can turn the main burner to ON. When turning the furnace on, the burner does not ignite as the pilot has already been extinguished. What is causing this problem?

Expert Answer

If the pilot light will not stay lit, please be aware that there is a safety issue. First, the gas valve needs to be checked for proper operation. The flame on the pilot light tells the gas valve everything is…

ARS installed and brand new Carrier System in my house in Sep 2009. The new system does not require filters in the ceiling like the legacy system needed. That being said the Thermostat is communicating that I need to change the filters? Is there a filter that I was not communicated about? Do I disregard?

Expert Answer

While your system may not have a filter in the ceiling, I believe that it is very likely that you do have a filter and that it is located in…

I recently purchased a used Majestic electric heater Model HE32EF. I would like to know if there is any way to adjust the flame display. The previous owner did not have the brochure that came with the heater. Thank you in advance for your help.

Expert Answer

I believe this is an “elastic” electric fireplace. That is one that accommodates thermal expansion and contraction. As far as I know this particular model has no flame display adjustment. I suggest…

We have an old oil furnace. What would be the best heating system to change it to? We do not have a duct system and do not want one if we don't have to have one.

Expert Answer

If you live in Baltimore, you probably have one of two types of heat. You may have an oil-fired boiler with radiators. This works okay, but…

We had a new Carrier furnace installed on 2/4/08 and it was checked on 11/12/09. It has been working, but in the last couple of weeks, it makes a clicking noise when it comes on which doesn't stop until it goes back off. I seem to remember the technician telling us that the clicking noise should just be at first when the pilot light ignites, and then should stop. Why does the noise not stop now? We still have heat, but the noise is irritating and I'm not sure if it is dangerous

Expert Answer

The clicking noise might be the electronic ignition activating continuously, in which case the part could fail. When a furnace has a spark ignition, the…

My heat pump system won't get any higher than 58 degrees. I had a similar problem to this about 8 years ago. And the service tech said something needed to be adjusted. They fixed it then. But it seems to be doing the same thing again. Is there something I can do?

Expert Answer

It would be a good idea to look at your thermostat and see if you have a mercury type thermostat. If you do, there is a heat anticipator that controls the cycle rate. This may be set to low and could be short…

I am not getting any electricity from my wall unit that consist of an AC and a heating unit. Do any of your guys work on electricty?

Expert Answer

ARS/Rescue Rooter offers a wide range of installation, repair, replacement, and troubleshooting services. I suggest you contact our professional HVAC contractors at the Houston branch of ARS/Rescue Rooter at…

My furnace shut off last night. The pilot went out, and I thought it was maybe because it was so windy. When relighting the pilot, it stays lit. When turning the furnace on, the burner ignites and the flames are coming out of the vents in the burner cover and upward. The furnace shuts down and extinguishes the pilot. What could be the problem? We tried relighting it three different times with the same results each time.

Expert Answer

The wind would have been my first guess as well. It sounds like there could be two things going on. Perhaps the thermocouple is weak. This electronic device is designed to sense when it’s safe to keep open…

We have the TRANE TCONT800 AC unit which works well for AC. I have switched to heat and the inside fan is in the “ON” position and is warming up to the set temperature. However, the outside unit is not coming on. Is this OK?

Expert Answer

This TCONT800 number is a thermostat model number and can be used for a heat pump or gas. If you have a gas furnace and the outside unit is an air conditioning unit the outdoor unit will only run when you are…

I have a high efficiency furnace. The intake pipe on the side of the house has been continuously plugging up with snow causing the furnace to shut down. Can I do anything to prevent this?

Expert Answer

Your best option is to have the intake extended above the snow line. You will need to refer to the manufacturer’s instructions and count the 90’s elbows you have in the intake run. If you are within…

I thought I had an Appollo heating system but was told recently when the water heater broke that we were no longer using that. So I think I have a heat pump. The main unit is under the house and the only filter needed is under there...if that helps. The thermostat is set to 73 degrees. I checked it and it was only 66 degrees in here. Heard it kick off so I looked again. The thermostat had gone blank and would not come back on. I checked the circuit breaker and all is fine. About 45 minutes later the heat kicks back on but only goes up to 67 degrees and shuts off and the thermostat goes dead again. Please help; it is freezing in here.

Expert Answer

To try to resolve this heating system problem, start with the thermostat. Check to see if it has batteries or not. Some digital thermostats have a small AA or AAA battery. If it does, you may need to replace the…

My heater will not kick on when the temperature falls below the set temperature on the thermostat. It will only turn back on if I turn the switch on the thermostat to OFF and then back to HEAT. However, the heat does not continue to run to achieve the desired temperature set on the thermostat. And when the heat is not blowing, the LED light on the furnace flashes once. What is the problem?

Expert Answer

If the LED flashes once, it means you have power to the furnace on most models. By turning the thermostat to the “Off” position, then back on, you may be resetting the circuit board. I would look at…

I purchased a new furnace in 2009. How do I know if the furnace qualifies for the tax credit on my 2009 tax return?

Expert Answer

Did you replace the AC also? The tax credit depends on the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating and the efficiency of the equipment you purchased. The higher the SEER, the more energy efficient the…

My heater is not blowing hot air and it continues to run for hours.

Expert Answer

If the fan is running and the thermostat is off while the fan position is in the “Auto” mode, the furnace (if it is gas and not a heat pump) is most likely off because of a high limit control.…

The thermostat on the second level of our home is placed so that all the heat rising from the first level prevents it from functioning properly. The bedrooms are all too cool in the winter or too warm in the summer. Is there a wireless option, and how much do they generally cost?

Expert Answer

A common challenge in two-story homes, particularly those with vaulted or two-story spaces, is difficulty controlling the upstairs heating and cooling. Wireless thermostats are available which allow you to adjust…

My home has a gas furnace that heats the basement and main floor, and an electric heat pump for the upstairs (both installed by ARS when the home was built in 2005). I have two questions regarding heating during the winter: Is it normal for the upstairs heat pump to blow cool air sometimes? Is it better to leave the furnace thermostat on the main floor at room temperature, even if everyone is upstairs? I have been turning down the gas furnace on the main floor during the nights when everyone is upstairs. However, the heat pump upstairs does not seem to be able to keep the second floor warm enough by itself.

Expert Answer

The air coming out of the vents may feel “cool” if it is below 98 degrees, since that is your normal body temperature. Also, the temperature coming out of the vents will feel “cooler” as…

My Goodman electric furnace blows only cold air. The heat kit is brand new and so is the thermostat. Why am I freezing?

Expert Answer

The answer to your question depends on whether you have a heat pump or an electric furnace only. You could have a blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker. Sometimes units will have two circuit breakers, one for…

It seems that i cannot get my house within 4 hours from 69 degrees to 70 degrees. What can be wrong?

Expert Answer

The answer to this question depends on whether you have a heat pump or gas heat. You may want to check the air filter, and make sure all the heat vents are completely open. If you have a heat pump, determine…

I turned my heater on, the pilot shut off, and the blower is blowing cold air and will not shut off.

Expert Answer

Check the thermostat and make sure the “fan” is in the “auto” mode. Did the system satisfy (or reach) the thermostat demand (or set temperature)? The pilot should stay burning when the…

I have an ARUF024 Air Handler with a Simple Comfort 2200 thermostat. Recently the display on the thermostat started disappearing when the heat kicks on. Sometimes the heat turns off by itself, the display reads - - for a few seconds -- then the temperature registers again. Other times the heat will run forever if you don’t shut it off and hit the reset button. Do I just need a new thermostat, or is there a bigger issue? It doesn't happen every day either. Also, will a LUX Tx9000TS be a compatible replacement for this if I need to replace the thermostat?

Expert Answer

Check and make sure the thermostat does not have a battery. Some of the digital thermostats have a small AA or AAA battery. If not, there may be a “bigger” problem, as well as a safety issue, since…

Just moved in and cannot get the thermostats (2) to work. They are marked ARS, are digital, and have temperature up and down buttons on right. On the left side is a switch that reads FAN, On, Auto; and one below that has Heat, Off, Cool. The heat works fine; however we cannot figure out how to adjust the temperature. Pressing the up and down buttons does nothing. Is there an instruction manual we can look at?

Expert Answer

Try holding the “up” or “down” button for about 3 seconds. The LED should flash and you should be able to adjust the temperature. Some of these thermostats can be locked so the temperature…

How can I get AC/Heating and what kind of payment schedule could I get?

Expert Answer

Please contact the ARS/Rescue Rooter branch nearest you which is located in Charleston, SC at (843) 747-2714.  The professional contractors at ARS/Rescue Rooter will be happy to answer all your…

I need a themocouple for my Coleman furnace. I also need a pilot orifice.

Expert Answer

These parts for a Coleman furnace are usually only purchased at a HVAC supply house. Although you may maintain and possibly troubleshoot your furnace yourself, I suggest contacting a professional HVAC contractor…

How often should maintenance be done on natural gas furnaces? My home & furnaces are 6 years old. Except for duct filters, nothing else has been done. What is the cost for a "checkup"?

Expert Answer

Your heating and air conditioning systems should be checked each year prior to first use. Pricing for heating and cooling tune ups vary by market and by number and type of unit(s) needing to be checked. At…

My outside unit is freezing up. The line that goes from the house to the unit is covered in ice. When I look inside the unit, where the fan is, you can see that the inside also has ice. The house is set at 68 degrees, and it is holding the temperature but the fan never seems to be going off.

Expert Answer

I suggest you turn off your heating system and switch to emergency heat. The outside unit will have some ice but the lines and indoor section should not. If you continue to operate in the normal heat mode, you…

I have a rental property that uses a heat pump to warm the house. My tenants constantly complain that the heat pump comes on and blows out hot air for a very short period of time but then proceeds to blow cold air. I've had several companies come out to check the heating system and all have verified that it is working as intended. What can be done to make the house warmer? Would you recommend using an auxiliary heater during the winter along with the heat pump?

Expert Answer

First, we need to determine how we define cold air. The heat pump may, in fact, be blowing out 88-degree air that feels cool/cold to your tenants since their body temperature is 98 degrees. You could consider a…

I can't get any heat in my house. I just moved in on Dec. 1. The house has gas heat. My range works and air blows out of the vents on the floor but it's cold air. The furnace is underneath the house and I'm unsure what to do. I have been calling my landlord all day with no success getting a hold of her. The heat was working up until yesterday. When I came home last night it was 56 degrees in the house and I keep it set at 60 when I'm gone. Please Help!!!!

Expert Answer

There is a long list of possible reasons for your problem. First, double check your thermostat and make sure it is in heat mode. If your fan is blowing and there is no heat, it is possible that you may have…

My upstairs unit engages but the burner is not igniting. The blower will run but only cool air comes out.

Expert Answer

There are a number of possible reasons for this kind of heating system problem. A safety switch may have something “locked” out. Another possibility is that the gas valve is not working or the igniter…

My heating and air conditioning system blows really low heat upstairs and stays cold during winter. In the summer it stays cool downstairs and hot upstairs. What can I do to fix this problem without spending a lot of money?

Expert Answer

The temperature in your home generally only matches the thermostat setting right where your thermostat is located. Heat rises while cool air settles into certain areas. Many home duct systems are inefficient.…

My furnace comes on and runs from 2 to 5 minutes then shuts down. It will come back on by itself then shuts down again. It never gets the room up to temperature.

Expert Answer

When your furnace performs in this way, there are several possible causes. The heat anticipator setting on your thermostat will sometimes shut off the heat before the air inside the thermostat actually reaches…

When I turn on the heat, the fan on my heat pump will run and it makes a noise as it is trying to run. However, the fan doesn't work the same way it used to and heat is not being produced. What should I be looking for? Is there a possibility of repair or should I proceed with a new unit? I don't know the exact age of the heat pump but it looks old. Thanks.

Expert Answer

Replacing the heat pump with new energy efficient heating equipment is the way to go. I would guess that the motor most likely has bad bearings. If the bearings are bad the motor will overheat and shut down.…

The thermostat was "off" when I came home from work yesterday. Cold air was blowing through the vents. I cut the power at the breaker to stop. What is the likely problem - fault switch at the wall (thermostat) or in the unit itself (in attic)?

Expert Answer

When the furnace runs all the time even though everything is in the “off” position, you most likely have an open safety device like a roll out switch or a high limit switch. This could be a draft…

My gas heating unit does not seem to be getting the signal from the electronic to send the gas into the ignition area. Also, when the fan and cooling systems are on, there is a solid red LED on the panel. However, when the heat is turned on at the thermostat, the LED blinks two times off, two times off, two times off, and I do not get any gas sent through. Can you please help me?

Expert Answer

Most manufacturers have their own fault codes that result in a LED blinking. It sounds like your furnace is calling for heat. If you look on the door of the furnace, you should find a fault code chart that will…

I have a Trane unit and it is now about six years old. However, every time fall comes I have the same problem. I turn heat to auto, the flame symbol comes on, but the unit doesn't blow out. If I turn the fan to stay ON it blows heat out, but I don't like to leave the unit in the ON position because it runs continuously. What is the problem?

Expert Answer

This sounds like a low voltage issue, possibly in the thermostat or on the furnace control circuit. The flame sensor may need to be cleaned as well. Flame sensors indicate that a flame is present and are part of…

I just moved into this home. In the past two weeks the HVAC system has suffered a need to replace the blower for the heat function. How can I get a replacement for the blower when all the numbers have disappeared?

Expert Answer

You sound like you are sure the blower motor is the failed part. If you do not have the model number and serial number of the equipment or the motor information, it will be tough to replace the blower. If the…

My second floor air conditioner blows cool air out (it's hot outside) and room temperature or warmer air inside. The unit seems to come on even when we have it turned off. (I'll hear it click and hum.) When it does work, it blows cool air for a while, then the temperature starts to rise, resulting in a hot house. I have had it worked on. No solution in sight. No one has been able to fix it. Please help!

Expert Answer

When the air conditioner is in the “cooling” mode, the air coming out of the outdoor unit should be warm to hot. If this air is cool, the system is not working properly. The refrigerant cycle…

I have a 13 SEER unit that I bought 2 years ago. It is a Carrier brand. I set my thermostat at 85 when I was at work and when I came home my air conditioning unit was running. I cut it off and waited for about 5 to 10 minutes. My AC was still running. I put the clicker on “off” and it was still running so I clicked it to “heat.” The furnace came on, then back to off, then it finally turned off. What is wrong with my unit or thermostat? Also, my electric bill seems high. Should I have my ductwork checked?

Expert Answer

What are the 3 or 4 most important things to look for when selecting a furnace or a HVAC company? I'm lost with so many options and opinions. Who do you trust or what do you trust?

Expert Answer

When choosing a heating and air conditioning contractor, your checklist should probably include: 

1. Ability to service,…

I am not getting heat into the house. I have an electronic igniter on the furnace. It sparks but doesn't catch. I followed the instructions on the panel of the surface to reset, but still no heat. What would be the problem and where do I go from here?

Expert Answer

Most likely the igniter is the problem.  When/if you touch the igniter, the oil from your skin will prevent it from working correctly.  The controlboard that communicates…

How do I turn on the heat?

Expert Answer

The thermostat is the first place you should go to turn your heat on. Make sure it is turned to the “heat” mode and set the control to the desired temperature. I…

prices for a 90,000 btu furnace

Expert Answer

This question has been forwarded the the General Manager at the ARS/Rescue Rooter branch closest to you.

I recently moved into a two-year-old house. In each of the three bathrooms, I can hear water dripping onto the vent. It seems to come and go, but, as long as the heat is on, it definitely drips. Any ideas what this is and what can fix it?

Expert Answer

There are two likely possibilities for the dripping sound that you may want to explore. The first involves condensation that could be caused by poor or no insulation around the vent pipe. The second possibility…

My furnace will not fire. I can hear the igniter clicking when the thermostat is turned up, but nothing happens. The gas lines are open, and our gas range works, but there is no gas smell at the furnace. Our furnace is older, and I need to know which parts I need to start replacing first to save myself some money.

Expert Answer

Possible reasons the furnace will not fire include: a clogged pilot light orifice, gas not getting to the igniter, or the gas valve is either in the off position or bad altogether. I would…

I would like to know the cost for a heating unit checkup. What is included in an ARS Yearly Maintenance Service Plan?

Expert Answer

Pricing for heating and cooling tuneups vary by market and by number and type of unit(s) needing to be checked.  At ARS/Rescue Rooter, our annual Home Service Plan (HSP)…

We have an air purifier attached to our furnace. I just had the furnace checked a few weeks ago and had a humidifier added. I noticed the air purifier's indicator light is not coming on when the furnace is running. Does this mean it is not working properly? Also, can air duct cleaning reduce the amount of dust in the house? We have a dog and a cat, and we have a lot of dust.

Expert Answer

Regarding the air purifier, if the light is not on there is a good chance it may not be working. The problem may be something as simple as a wire that’s disconnected or a mechanical failure. If you cannot easily… Read more

We have an oil fired burner with hot water radiator heating. We keep the thermostat at 62. However, even when the thermostat says the inside temperature is 62 or even 70, the furnace does not shut off unless we flip the switch to the burner. Is there anything we can do? We have even turned the thermostat to 50 and it still comes on.

Expert Answer

It sounds like either the thermostat is defective or the thermostat wires are touching each other. Try disconnecting the thermostat wire at the unit to see if the boiler shuts off. If it shuts off, the problem is… Read more

My heat won’t turn off even when I switch to the air conditioning or turn the heat off. I have electric.

Expert Answer

Try turning the thermostat to the “OFF” position. If the heat continues to operate, you have a problem. Among the possibilities are a faulty thermostat, a short between the R and the W terminal (R and W are your… Read more

I own a 28' x 70' modular home. One side of the house doesn't get much or any heat blowing out of the vents. What is the problem?

Expert Answer

The furnace is most likely located at one end of the modular home. The air vents closest to the furnace usually blow better than the ones that are up to 70 feet away at the other end of the home. One suggestion is… Read more

My furnace was replaced about five years ago. Just at the end of last winter it began to shut off during the night. It only came back on when I turned it off and then back on again. It would work during the day for a few hours, then it would shut off again during the night. I replaced the thermostat twice, but it still gave me trouble last year. My late husband had the furnace installed, so I have no idea who installed it. Any ideas what is wrong with it?

Expert Answer

Since your furnace is five years old, it sounds like the flame sensor needs to be cleaned. Flame sensors indicate that a flame is present and are part of the furnace’s safety circuit design. The flame sensor… Read more

When my thermostat cuts off while it is on the “Heat” setting, the blower still blows hot air and won’t cut off. The air works fine.

Expert Answer

Make sure the fan switch is not set to the “on” position. It should be set to “auto.” Typically you will get warm air for a few minutes after the system satisfies the thermostat demand. If you continue to get… Read more

My heat upstairs works fine.The fan downstairs comes on but the heat does not.I just replaced the thermostat but still having same results.

Expert Answer

We actually had a similar question earlier this week about an A/C fan that would constantly run. You may find that answer helpful to you as well. In this case, it could be an issue with the thermostat since you… Read more

How can I set up a wood stove in a basement that I can connect to my electric HVAC system to utilize the heat from it and use less electricity in the winter?  I am assuming some sort of fan set up with a damper?  If this is the case if both fans run at the same time will I end up with a lot of air going through the vents causing a whistle in the house?  Will this extra pressure do damage to fan motors?

Expert Answer

Technically you may be able to set this up, however it is not recommended and I will explain why. Depending on the layout of your HVAC system and the type of wood stove, you can use the blower on the wood stove to… Read more

I heat the lower level of my house with a wood stove. The lower level is approximately 3000 sq.'. This naturally removes most of the humidity from the air. I have a series of 3 low voltage, high volume fans, 2 up high that circulate the hot air from one end of the house, where the wood stove is, to the other while the third, down at the floor level, moves the cool air back to the end with the wood stove. This arrangement works very well at the distribution of the heat and almost completely eliminates the need to use the oil furnace all year. Is there a humidifier that I can temperately hook up to a water supply that will continually release steam or water vapor into the air without having to hook it up to my central furnace? I have tried the self contained, 2 blower units you can get at Sears. The problem is that even though they hold 13 gal. of water, I have to fill them every day which takes too much time. I was hoping there was something similar but with misting nozzles or steam that I could tap into a water line like I do with the refrigerator ice maker. This way I could place a unit near the cool air return fan, tap into the water line for the winter and forget about it till spring when I would just put the unit away till next winter. Even something like the units from Sears, the ones with the "wicking" devise would be acceptable if I could hook a water supply to them. I thought with the "wicking" type that you have to be concerned with potential bacteria and stuff. Thanks for your time and consideration of my problem!

Expert Answer

As you have noticed, one downside to utilizing a woodstove for your primary heat source is the lack of humidity inside the structure. The high temperatures generated by the woodstove simply dry the air out… Read more

Hello, I have a question about my central heat. When it’s extremely cold outside I have to crank up the heat to 75 or 80 just to get the inside temp to 65. Granted I live in a big house with 12 ft ceilings, and the attic was just recently insulated. Also I noticed the fan outside on the unit is not moving, shouldn’t that be turning? Any help you can offer me will be greatly appreciated. Thank you. thank you

Expert Answer

My first recommendation would be to check your air filter to make sure it is not dirty or clogged. Also if you have not had the unit serviced this year I would recommend you do so. A technician will be able to… Read more

I just had a new electric furnace installed in November 2007 and from the time the furnace was installed to March 2008 I paid close to $4000.00 in electric bills. Now this winter from November 2008 to January 2009 I have paid a total of $2300. What could be the problem? My electric bill this time read $1300.00 with me using almost 18,000 kilowatts. I do not understand.

Expert Answer

I would start by making sure that the filter is clean, and continue to do so on a monthly basis. One of the most common problems we see is a clogged filter. I would also recommend that you ask the company who… Read more

My auxiliary heat comes on all the time and the heat pump does not come on at all. Can you tell me what my problem might be?

Expert Answer

Your auxiliary heat may be coming on instead of your heat pump for one of several different reasons. The unit could have lost its refrigerant charge, the contactor could be bad or the thermostat wire could be… Read more

I have two separate cooling/heating systems in my home. Both systems are on and turning but the downstairs area is cold while the upstairs area is warm.  Why doesn't the downstairs system get warm if the system is on and operating? Is there something I can check for myself before spending a lot of money calling the professionals out to fix the problem?

Expert Answer

First I would ask when did you last check the air filter and when did you have the unit serviced last? The unit could be cycling on a limit and restricting airflow if the air filter is dirty or if there has been a… Read more

I have 2 zone base board heat. My second floor is set at 50deg and the temp is 72 degrees. I have changed out the thermostat, cheked the wire for power, but the temp will not go down. I shut off the boiler at midnight and at 5am it was still 70 degrees. the 1st floor was set at 62 and the temp was at 62. my boiler has two circ pumps, both get hot when you turn up the thermostat. ANY advice at all would be a great help. I have been to 3 home centers and spoke to a dozen people most think it's the thermostat. Plumbers are a week to two weeks out.

Expert Answer

With this being a 2 zone system I am sure you probably have zone solenoids in the system. If the zone solenoid (insulated copper coils) for the upstairs loop is not shutting down, stuck or bleeding through you could… Read more

My heat will NOT shut off! I have a gas boiler, and also a hot water heater. The hot water heater is new, only 3 years old. We have a HoneyWell thermostat that is only 2 years old. I don't put our heat on much, only once in the morning to get the chill out. Our home stays pretty warm so we don't need it. Anyway, the other morning I woke up and it was hot as anything in here. It's been two days now and the heat won't shut off even though I put the thermostat switch on the "off" position. I generally keep my themostat at 68 degrees. The vents are constantly hot and we can't figure out what is going on here. Why would the heat keep coming on and the vents stay out even though the thermostat is OFF?? Please help! Thank you.

Expert Answer

If the burner is cycling but continues to heat over and above the thermostat setting there is a major concern and it is most likely cycling on a limit switch. If this is the case then if the limit was to fail and… Read more

When my 1st floor gas heater turns on in the attic it is quiet as a mouse. The upstairs unit, by contrast, ignites and heats as well as the other, but there is a sound like the whir of a playing card in the spokes of a bicycle. Is that a loose fan or something? It works fine, but the noise is a bit concerning. Thanks!

Expert Answer

Depending on the age of the furnace, the main blower assembly or draft inducer motor can cause the type of noise you described. The noise could indicate a simple problem but at the same time it can lead to or be the… Read more

My outside heat pump comes on but the indoor blower fan does not come on unless I raise the temperature on the thermostat, then the inside fan motor comes on. When I lower the thermostat below room temperature, then both the inside and outside units go off. If I don’t touch the thermostat at all, the heat pump will run forever and the inside blower motor will not come on. Do you know why this is happening?

Expert Answer

Heating units can opperate differenly depending on the manufacturer. But in most instances the blower is either controlled by the thermostat or the indoor unit itself. You stated that the blower will turn on when… Read more

What would cause my furnace to shut off? My heat is not blowing out and when I turn the furnace off/on again, it sounds as though it is trying to ignite but then it will shut off again. No heat is being forced through the vents. I have Gas system.

Expert Answer

Most gas systems follow a standard sequence of events in order to safely operate. If any step in this sequence is not met, the furnace will not be able to ignite and operate. Most systems will attempt to ignite 3 to… Read more

The fuel tank has never been empty and there is no air in the fuel line. A2Va 7116 fuel pump will not bleed the way it is suppose to. The burner will not work as there is no fuel oil going into the burner. Any ideas?

Expert Answer

The type of system you are referring to is a fuel oil heating system which is similar to a natural gas and propane furnace. There are several items in fuel oil systems that can cause this problem. One of the most… Read more

My heating unit is blowing out cool air even when I put the thermostat on 80 degrees. What could be the problem?

Expert Answer

Sometimes these problems can be as simple as the thermostat itself. Make sure that it is fully in the HEAT position. If it is a digital thermostat, it might have a delay in place that will not allow the system to… Read more

The blower in our heating unit is not working properly. We checked the thermostat and it is not that. Can you tell me what the problem is, I hope it does not need to be replaced. Thanks.

Expert Answer

There are several different issues that could be causing the blower on your furnace to malfunction. It could be the thermostat itself, a capacitor on the motor, a faulty wire, the circuit board in the indoor unit or… Read more

What does it mean when my furnace fan won't turn off, and I have to turn off the thermostat, go to the furnace and manually turn off the fan, then turn it back on, then return to the thermostat and turn it back on in order to warm up to the temperature that I have it on?

Expert Answer

It sounds like you may have a problem with the furnace tripping the main limit. The main limit is a safety control that turns the burner off if it becomes too hot. This could happen for a few reasons. Either the… Read more

I came home from work and tried turn the heat on and the heat would not come on. I had someone come out and check it, and they said it was the draft inducer assembly motor. How much does it cost to replace a draft inducer assembly motor?

Expert Answer

The draft inducer assembly differs from manufacturer to manufacturer. Keep in mind that there are several components that can cause problems with your draft inducer motor, such as a blocked pressure tube, a blocked… Read more

What does a service call cost for winter heater check-up? My neighbor and I need one.

Expert Answer

ARS/Rescue Rooter is a national company, and prices vary by market.  However, I took the liberty to call the ARS/Rescue Rooter service center in Austin to speak with the General Manager at that location who told me… Read more

I have a 2 ton Carrier package unit, model 48SS-024060301 and the LED code is flashing 5. I've just had the blower motor and Hall effect sensor replaced and it was working fine for about 2 weeks — then it got colder. The blower motor runs and the gas cycles on, but no sparking to light the gas. Any Ideas, is the control board bad?

Expert Answer

Code five would indicate that there is a problem with the ignition system on the unit — which could either mean the ignitor has failed or the flame sensor could be misaligned or disconnected. The unit will also… Read more

My programmable thermostat doesn't seem to have power and so the heating is not kicking in. The thermostat itself is fine as I can see it work on the other unit. I checked all the breakers on the panel and they are ok. Would there be any other breakers in the system that would cut off power to the thermostat and/or furnace? The switch in the attic is also ON. It was all working before (AC worked throughout the summer) and the house is only 4 years old. Thanks.

Expert Answer

From you statement that "the other unit works," my guess is that you're speaking of the A/C unit and the indoor blower. If the blower is working with the call for A/C, then the problem would be associated with the… Read more

I am having problems w/ all my radiators. There is no heat coming out. Radiators have been bled, but still no heat.

Expert Answer

If all the radiators have been bled, then I would suggest that you contact a service company to check out the system. There could be several reasons as to why you still have no heat. With the system being on a pump… Read more

I would like a quote on having my furnace checked out, my condensate line cleared as well as a price for a service contract for my HVAC system. There are currently no problems with the heat/AC. Thank you.

Expert Answer

As ARS/Rescue Rooter is a nationwide company, the prices may vary dependent on the market. I recommend you contact the branch nearest you in Manassas, Va. by calling (888) 242-4ARS. Also, you can always visit the… Read more