Do any homeowners want a do it yourself HVAC thread to check out your unit for spring

[gofshn]

With the economy as it is and funds for most have been tight, I am pondering doing a thread with pictures on how to prepare your HVAC unit for spring such as cleaning the coils and checking condensor fans. It is all easy stuff you can do yourself without being scared. The average spring check-up costs $100.00 or so without a coil cleaning.

Let me know.

[Surfergirl]

I for one think that is a great idea.

[nautiduck]

Post away!! If you could, are there any special needs for a gaspack unit? I am familiar with a seperate furnace, condenser unit, but not the all in one outside the house gaspack. Thanks a bunch.

[gofshn]

Package units are easier to service due to everything is housed in one.

For cooling you want to check for play in your supply fan (the one inside the unit) bearings, and ensure that your evaporator coils are clean as well. your drain pan should be clean also below your evaporator as well as your condensate line which is the pipe which water condensate runs out onto the ground from. If these lines are blocked or your pan is gummed up you could wind up flooding your unit and throwing water thru your ducts which will lead to mold problems. Your outdoor fan/Condenser fan should spin freely with very little effort. tightness, or squeaking indicates a bearing problem. You should also be able to see daylight thru your condenser coils or at least have good passage of water.

This should help for now until I get pictures up along with some notations.

[tunatamer4]

Definitely! That's kinda a no-brainer.

[misokat]

Commercial controls tech ? as in DDC tech?

[nautiduck]

Thanks!!

[gofshn]

Commercial controls tech ? as in DDC tech?

Yes, ddc and plc controls as well as simple ladder logic. but chillers and refrigeration also.

[tynmissy]

just keep in mind with the economy the way it is DIY'ers are good for us residential HVAC technicians since usually something gets tweaked and now instead of a money losing annual tune-up inspection now i get a billable service call i'm not saying don't do anything yourself just don't be touching anything you don't know what its purpose is or how it works i.e. if you don't have the training get someone who does to do it. a quality service tech will save you more in energy cost for the year than it costs to have him perform his service

ty

[gofshn]

If anyone here can run a boat, they can do a simple coil cleaning and fan check of their unit. I have full faith in the members here and their use of common sense. Look at it as job security for you regardless.