As with all electrical devices, air conditioning units can only withstand a certain level of heat before suffering damage. In air conditioners, the most common problem this causes is blown fuses.

Understanding Why Fuses Blow

A fuse protects the electrical appliance on its circuit. If the device attempts to draw an amount of amps which is higher than it can handle safely, the fuse will blow and the amps will not reach the device.

On hot days, air conditioners work extra hard to attempt to compensate for the high temperature. This can lead to them attempting to draw a high amperage and blowing their fuse.

Checking for Blown Fuses

When a fuse blows from the air conditioner, it shuts down. A slight humming may come from the outside equipment, but it will do nothing else. Ensuring the problem is a blown fuse is most easily done with a voltmeter. To check for a blown fuse with a voltmeter:

1. Find the disconnect. This is usually a grey box mounted on an exterior wall of a home near the outdoor A/C unit.
2. Open the outer and inner disconnect coverings. This will expose the wiring of the disconnect. Remember that live electricity is running through this and be very cautious.
3. Zero-out the voltmeter. Ensure the voltmeter is functioning and reading zero volts (or infinity, depending upon the model).
4. Test the incoming voltage. There will be two sets of wires in the disconnect panel. One should be labeled “line” and the other “load.” The line wires carry incoming power and the load wires send it out. First, connect the voltmeters leads to the lugs connecting the two line wires. The voltmeter should read roughly 220-240 volts. This means power is coming as far as the fuses. If the voltmeter reads nothing on this side, the problem is not with the fuses.
5. Test the outgoing voltage. After testing the incoming wires, connect the voltmeter’s leads to the load wire’s lugs. If you have a zero volt reading, then you know you have a blown fuse. Otherwise, the problem is elsewhere.

How to Safely Replace Fuses

Fuses may be in the same area as the wiring or may be located in the “T” handle of the disconnect. Either way, pulling the handle is necessary to stop electricity from running through the fuses while replacing them. That only affects the load side, however. To stop electricity coming in the load side, someone must throw the circuit breaker connected to the A/C unit.

Removing the fuses once all the power is off can be done with bare hands or a pair of insulated pliers. New fuses (of the proper amperage) can just as easily be popped back in where the old ones were removed.

Blown fuses can be a hassle in hot summers, but they are easy to detect and fix. The fuses themselves can be removed and replaced with great ease, restoring the unit to working order. If you need assistance diagnosing or repairing a blown fuse, call Woodacre today.

A Guide to Finding and Replacing Blown Fuses
agreenwood

If you are considering becoming a technician in the HVAC industry, you are no doubt concerned with whether or not it is an occupation worth seeking. As with many other occupations you might pursue, this position may have you wondering: Will I find work? Will I make good money? Will my opportunity for career advancement be limited? Will I enjoy doing this? These are important questions. In an effort to dispel any worries you might have about pursuing a rewarding career in HVAC service, we would like to tackle five myths about being an HVAC tech.

5 HVAC Tech Myths Busted

Here are 5 common myths about being an HVAC technician that we’d like to bust for those who are interested in pursuing the profession:

1) HVAC techs don’t make much money.

There is potential to make very good money in the HVAC industy. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, HVAC technicians bring home a median income of $46,640. As you become more experienced and proficient in your trade, you can expect a salary approaching $70,000.

2) You’ll have a hard time finding employment.

Heating and cooling needs are not going away. In fact, there will only be more need in the future. In 2012, there were more than a quarter million HVAC technicians addressing our heating and cooling needs. That number needs to grow. In fact, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that by 2022, the need for quality HVAC techs will grow 21 percent.

3) Becoming an HVAC tech will limit your career advancement.

About 16% of technicians go on to own their own service business, and there is room for that to grow. The highly specialized knowledge you acquire as an HVAC tech can serve as a solid foundation for running your own business. There is also the possibility of exposure to many other interesting career paths, including working with educational facilities, hospitals, even the aerospace sector.

4) Only men are HVAC technicians.

Not true. Many hardworking women actively pursue careers in HVAC service. It is just as rewarding for them as for men. In fact, maybe more so! Not only are more women working in the industry, but they’ve experienced a slightly higher pay increase than their counterparts from 2003-2007.

5) HVAC techs are not skilled workers.

Though you will grow to have greater proficiency throughout the lifetime of this rewarding career, it all starts with acquiring the basic fundamental skills. In addition to being mechanically competent, you will need specialized, accredited training, with programs taking less than two years. HVAC techs must go through a certification process. Some states require that you also pass a state level exam, so it is a good idea to investigate your state’s requirements ahead of time.

These represent a few of the major myths that people encounter as they begin to consider a career in the HVAC industry. Many HVAC companies are currently seeking qualified technicians to further teach the trade and keep up with demand. Your job will never be outsourced to a foreign land. New technology along with increasing environmental considerations are increasing the demand for knowledgeable technicians. There are numerous opportunities for advancement. There is a wide variety of work and areas of specialty. And there is the satisfaction of helping people, providing them a cool, comfortable environment in which to work and live!

We might be biased, but we think that the HVAC industry is the best to work in. If you have any other questions about the field, feel free to contact us. We’d love to share our positive experience with you.

Five Myths About Being an HVAC Tech: Revealing the Truth
jbenbrook

The United States has made progress in its challenging work to increase energy efficiency throughout the nation. No partners have been more essential to that progress than the states themselves. Actions taken by the states are vital to many changes that have occurred to advance energy efficiency. The governors play a vital role with their leadership and support of initiatives that support using energy more efficiently.

The governors of each state play an essential part in the drive to advance energy efficiency. They do so by ensuring that their states lower their own expenditures for energy, strengthen and improve the reliability of those energy systems already developed and in use, and explore then implement all reasonable means of reducing environmental impact. Governors may defer construction of new power plants when possible. Most of all, these state leaders are supporting efforts consumers are making to lower their energy costs themselves.

Governors know that advancing energy efficiency is good business for everyone. It has multiple benefits for the general public and for the business sector. Governors working with state legislators, state and federal regulators and others can lead efforts in improving energy efficiency rules and standards. These affect everything from commercial and residential buildings to home appliances. They have the power to incentivize the utilities’ spending on increasing energy efficiency. This impacts industries and businesses as well as residential costs.

The states and their governors study best practices and engage in short and long term energy planning. They can analyze and project potential energy savings from plans to advance energy efficiency. They have the ability to support the financial sector in their innovative financing and repayment options. They also are the most powerful mechanism for stimulating investment by the private sector in initiatives that increase energy efficiency, including initiatives to help consumers lower their energy costs.

Exciting new initiatives may be and are being undertaken by governors and state governments involving information technology to drive businesses and consumers to enhanced savings on energy. They are vital in initiating partnerships with private sector businesses in developing the next wave of initiatives for energy efficiency. They are the chief partners for universities and think tanks who are developing the next generation of energy efficient technologies. Without the support of state governments, many fledgling energy initiatives do not succeed. Much support is needed to make major societal behavioral and engineering changes and government plays a vital role in the success of the process.

For more information on the roles that governors and the states play in the energy efficiency movement within the United States, see http://www.nga.org . Successful actions taken by many states are summarized in a paper there presented by the National Governors Association (NGA). For complete information, read the NGA’s An Energy Efficiency Primer for Governors.

Governors And State Governments Essential In Advancing Energy Efficiency
HVAC Specialist

Addressing comfort issues in your home is an ideal way to save energy costs throughout the year. A summer of poorly performing air conditioning can be upgraded taking advantage of the fall cooling programs of Carrier. The shorter days mean there is less warmth from the sun and installing a high efficiency heating system will save on your heating expenditures immediately.

Contact Woodacre Fuel & HVAC today to find out how a high-efficiency system can help you save!

-Linda Woodacre

Save Money With a High-Efficiency Upgrade
Sequoia