Heating Repair Los Angeles
We offer central heating service and repair for HVAC, air conditioning,
heating, and furnaces in Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, Ventura
County, Simi Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Pasadena, Glendale, Santa
Monica and many other areas.
Los Angeles Heating repair is available 24/7 at our toll
free number:
310-584-8228
We are fully insured and bonded. Our technicians are trained to
provide 100% satisfaction guarantee.
How your central heater works
The majority of residential central-heating systems are fueled
by natural gas or oil; some, however, are powered by electricity
and it is with those that we are concerned here. (Gas- or oil-fired
furnaces are best left to someone licensed to handle those systems.
The dangers involved are very real —so much so that, in many
areas of the country, it is illegal to work on one without the proper
certification.) As a rule, the heat is automatically controlled
by means of a thermostat, just as most air-conditioning units are.
When the temperature goes below the thermostat setting, the bimetallic
contact strip energizes an electrical circuit which turns on the
heating elements and blowers. Once the temperature reaches the setting
on the thermostat dial, the thermostat automatically turns off the
source of heat.
There are two basic types of electric heating systems: gravity
warm-air and forced warm-air. Gravity systems operate on the principle
that hot air rises, since it is lighter than cooler air. A gravity
system works efficiently only in homes with basements, or in multi-story
buildings, where the central heater is below the normal living level.
The heating elements generate heat when electrical energy passes
through their coils, and the hot air then rises through ducts. Usually
the air movement is augmented by fans. During the upward heat movement,
warm air displaces the colder air, which then drifts downward through
a series of "cold air ducts" until it reaches the lower
part of the central element, where it is heated and again repeats
the same cycle. Gravity warm-air devices are used in floor furnaces
and some space heating systems. Several smaller heating elements
and associated blowers are placed either under the floor or at the
baseboard of the area to be heated.
The biggest shortcoming of gravity systems is that there must be
a large temperature difference between the upward-moving hot air
and the cold air it is to displace in order to create good air movement
and equal distribution of heat throughout the home.
Forced warm-air heaters utilize a blower to force air from the heating
element through the duct work and registers into individual rooms.
Use of this system minimizes the temperature differential between
the warm air from the heater and the cold air leaving rooms through
return vents. The forced air system allows users to control whole
house heating, and to have better control over the heating to individual
rooms and areas. Often the building is divided into segments, with
each area having its own thermostat and individual blower or auxiliary
fan support system.
Repair and maintenance of an electric heating system is simple.
Some systems have emergency switches, as well as a standard service
entrance fuse or breaker. The emergency switch for an electric furnace
is a wall switch close to the heater, and it is generally red. When
the heater fails to operate, first check that no one has accidentally
turned this switch off. If all switches, fuses and breakers are
working, try moving the thermostat up a few degrees. If the thermostat
has a day and night setting with a timer, take off the thermostat
cover and check the dial to see if a power failure or some accident
may have caused the timer to get out of cycle. While this cover
is off, check the thermostat contact points. Dirt or corrosion on
the bimetallic contact points could keep the heater from being energized.
To clean these contacts, pass a business card or a crisp, fresh
dollar bill between them.
All of the above tips are for informational purposes only.
For your safety, we strongly encourage any furnace / heating repairs
to be performed only by a certified technician. Our technician's
are available at:
310-584-8228
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