While our customers are wholesalers, Packard knows that you, the contractor, have a choice. You are often presented with many buying options, and being well-informed about your purchase can help make your job easier and more successful. Our Tech Tips are also very helpful for our wholesalers as we present product information that can help as contractors have questions.
This is why we have dedicated a section of our site for contractors and wholesalers. In this section, you will find helpful product tips, tools and some clips from our training classes. We’ve also provided a distributor locator so you can find the nearest wholesaler who can give you access to Packard products.
HVAC Winter Checklist
Is there anything that I should make certain to check in preparing a system for winter?
Great question...and it’s good to be proactive with this! It’s better to identify a potential problem and fix it rather than to experience a failure on the coldest day of the year which could result in discomfort and perhaps additional damage to a system and structure. The type of system, that is, whether it heats with natural or propane gas, oil, hydronics, electric strip heat, heat pump, or some other source will determine the specific components that need to be examined in order to assure proper operation. If the equipment or any of the devices in the equipment provide fault codes when improper operation occurs, this can provide insight into any issues.
It seems that the most experienced technicians have a personal sequence that they follow when evaluating a system. A logical sequence should involve checking the electrical system, airflow, and components involving combustion and/or the source of heat. The checks may include:
Electrical
- high voltage provided by the power source
- low voltage provided by a transformer
- identifying any shorts or grounds
- proper operation of the door switch
- any safeties that could interrupt power, such as condensate management systems
- thermostat operation
- proper sequencing of components through all stages of operation
- proper operating amps of motor
- capacitor check
- if heat pump, assure bleed resistor on start capacitor
- examination of leads and connections
Airflow
- assurance of clean and properly operating components
- filter
- ducts
- evaporator coil
- blower wheel, housing, and motor
- registers
- returns
- proper exhaust of combusted gases
- draft inducer
Combustion and/or Source of Heat
- fuel supply
- igniters
- flame sensors
- heat exchanger
- a cracked heat exchanger could lead to fatal levels of carbon monoxide
- clean combustion
- draft inducer
- pressure switches
- sequencers
- heating elements/coils
- refrigerant charge with heat pump
- pump motor
- motor connection to pump
- seals
The above is a good start to a seasonal check. If it’s found that the system is not operating properly, then further investigation may be necessary. Perhaps a check of the combustion characteristics, airflow and static pressure measurements, or evaluation of superheat and subcooling may be needed. In any case, being thorough in the seasonal check can result in keeping the equipment operating as it was designed.
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