Identifying System Types
The AC systems outdoor unit is called what?
What is the name of the indoor AC coil?
what is the evaporator coil
What is the small skinny rod that sits in the path of the burners flame, if it gets dirty it will not allow the furnace to heat, it will blow cold air.
technicians clean this during a furnace maintenance
what is the flame sensor
Instead of an outdoor unit, what does a water source heat pump have outside?
what is the water loop
A dirty filter can cause what to happen on a furnace while heating?
overheat and trip/open the high limit switch causing it to blow cold air
This unit looks exactly like an AC condenser unit, but it is elevated off the ground with "pump ups"
What is a heat pump / air-to-air heat pump
A dirty filter can cause what to happen when operating the system in AC cooling mode?
The evaporator coil / system will ice up
what is the component inside of a furnace that lights the gas to create the flames that shoot out of the burners and allows the furnace to heat the home?
what is the igniter
What are the two most common water source heat pumps we work on?
Pump & dump
Closed loop
What is a colorless, odorless, highly poisonous gas that is a byproduct produced from a gas furnace heating?
technicians test for this on a furnace maintenance
What is carbon monoxide
What is the name of a stand-alone / all-in-one indoor unit that uses a ground loop water line buried in the ground outside?
what is a water source heat pump
If a client calls in and says they notice water around the furnace when operating the system in AC cooling mode, what is the most likely the issue?
Plugged evaporator coil drain line
What major component is inside of a 90% furnace that is not inside of an 80% furnace
hint: it holds condensation
what is the secondary heat exchanger
Does a water source heat pump have a backup heat source?
If yes, what does it use for the backup heat?
Yes, electric heat strips
What are 3 checklist items performed by a technician on a furnace maintenance? Can be 80% or 90%
1) Replace filter
2) clean flame sensor / burners
3) set gas pressure
4) test for carbon monoxide
5) Clean blower motor
6) Clean condensate trap
7) Check temp split
8) Inspect heat exchanger
9) check amp draws
When on the phone with a client, what would you ask to know if they have a regular AC unit or a mini-split AC unit?
Hint: think of the indoor unit/units
Mini splits will have an indoor powerhead unit, typically 1 for each room. They're mounted high on a wall. They don't use ductwork. It is not tied-in to the furnace at all
AC unit will have a furnace for the air handler, it uses the ductwork to cool the home, it has the indoor evaporator coil at the furnace
A customer should not set the thermostat below what temperature? And if they do, what is the one thing they must make sure is clean?
70-68 degrees
Make sure the filter is clean
A client can keep the thermostat set below 70, but they must maintain a clean filter to prevent the AC from icing up
What is the main identifier to look for on a furnace to know if it is an 80% - standard efficiency or a 90% - high efficiency?
The exhaust pipe... 80% is metal & 90% is white PVC
would also accept - 90% has a condensate drain & 80% does not
What is the fluid called that is added into a closed loop system to keep it from freezing?
glycol
What are 3 checklist items a technician will perform on an AC maintenance?
What is:
1) Rinse clean the outdoor unit / condenser
2) Check refrigerant charge / run test
3) Test electrical components / capacitor & contactor
4) Replace Filter
5) Clear condensate drain
6) Clean evaporator coil
7) Check amp draws
This system does not use supply/return air vents, it uses water, and will have things like base-board or in-floor radiant heat to heat the home
what is a boiler
If a client calls in and says the AC is operating, but is blowing warm air, what are the 2 most likely reasons?
1) low refrigerant
2) outdoor unit is not operating; failed capacitor, failed contactor, blown fuses, dead compressor, thermostat not set for AC and fan is set to on
What are 5 components of a gas furnace?
If a client called in and they didn't know if they had a furnace or a water source heat pump, what are several questions you could ask to help them identify which type of equipment they have?
do they have an outdoor unit?
does the indoor unit have an exhaust pipe?
does the indoor unit have 2 water lines attached to it?
do they have a pump station?
are there any plumbing lines going from the indoor unit to a water heater?
Does the indoor unit have a gas line going to it?
Does the thermostat have an "emergency heat" setting
What are 3 checklist items a technician will perform on a water source heat pump maintenance that they would not check on a furnace or AC maintenance?
check water temps/pressures
inspect coaxial coil
test water pumps
glycol levels
test backup heat