Winters in NYC get extremely cold, and when you work in an office, you and your employees rely on central heating to stay warm. But what if you turn on the heater and nothing happens? Portable space heaters aren’t the same, and they won’t keep you warm like central heat.
But, because central heating controlled by an HVAC system involves machines, there’s always a chance that they’ll experience problems or even break down. If this happens, here’s what you can do to get heat restored as quickly as possible.
Best Practices for Troubleshooting Commercial HVAC in NYC
If your HVAC system is broken, you don’t have to wait a long time to get an appointment with a technician. HVAC emergency service is the fastest way to get your heater working. Although, before you place a call, try some simple solutions just in case you don’t need a tech.
Before calling in a repair team, always troubleshoot the simple possibilities first. You never know when the issue is something small that can easily and affordably be fixed.
Here are some tips for troubleshooting your central heating issue:
1. Verify the thermostat is set to “heat” and not “cool” or “off.” This seems simple, but you’d be surprised to learn how often a thermostat setting gets changed accidentally. Overnight cleaning crews or building maintenance personnel sometimes change thermostat settings when working during non-business hours.
2. Verify the temperature is set correctly. If someone was in the office after hours, they might have turned the temperature down rather than turning the thermostat off. Check to make sure the temperature is set high enough to trigger the heater to engage.
3. Change your air filter if it’s dirty. If you get airflow but no heat, your air filter might be dirty. A clogged air filter can cause the heat exchanger to overheat and shut off. If you know where it is and can change it yourself, it might be the solution you need. If you’ve never had to do this, you can have a professional do it for you and show you how for next time.
Flat filters need to be changed once a month, while pleated filters should be okay for about three months, depending on how much debris they collect.
4. Check for blocked air ducts. If your heater vents to the outside of the building, you might have blocked intake or exhaust pipes. They might be obstructed by leaves, dirt, or even ice. Remove any debris you find and try turning your heater on again.
5. Clean your chimney exhaust flue. Although it’s a little less common than other problems, sometimes birds or other animals nest in chimneys and flues. Turn your heater off, turn the thermostat all the way down, and dismantle the duct to inspect the inside. If you find something inside, clear it out and reassemble the duct. If you don’t want to do this, a professional will check for you.
6. Flush the drain lines. While using your heater during the cold months, it will drain gallons of water every day. Drain lines can end up full of sediment and mold, and that might be your issue. You can flush the drain line by filling it with a mixture of bleach and water, leave it for about five minutes, and then flush it out with plain water.
7. Check the gas. If your heater is powered by gas and the gas is off, you won’t get any heat. If you use a propane tank, check to make sure the valve is open at the tank and where it connects to your building. A valve is open when the handle is parallel with the gas pipe and off when perpendicular. If the valves are open, check your tank’s gauge to see if it’s full. If that isn’t the issue, verify that you’ve paid the gas bill if you use natural gas provided by the city. Lastly, check the pilot light if you have an older furnace because it may have gone out. If none of these ideas work, call a professional.
What is considered an HVAC emergency?
You’re having an HVAC emergency if you have safety concerns like a heat pump emitting smoke, seeing sparks, leaking refrigerant, or a strong gas smell. However, it’s also considered an emergency when your heater isn’t working and it’s freezing cold outside. You and your employees need to stay warm in the office, and while a little chill isn’t so bad, you don’t want it to be so cold that you feel like you’re outside.
What isn’t considered an HVAC emergency?
General issues like needing a filter replaced, having your HVAC unit cleaned, maintenance and repairs, new installations on a working system, upgrades, and no heat due to a power outage are not considered emergencies. However, if it’s extremely cold outside and something is preventing you from resolving your issue, call an HVAC expert and they’ll let you know if your situation is truly an emergency.
Contact React Industries to Get Your Heat Back in NYC
If the heater in your office isn’t working, call us. We’ll send a knowledgeable team of certified HVAC repair techs to your office within two hours ready to get your heat working.
We have more than 30 years of experience serving NYC, Manhattan, and the surrounding areas and know how to handle emergencies. If you’re having problems with your heater, we have solutions.
Call us right now and our emergency HVAC services will have you up and running as quickly as possible so you and your team can get back to work and stay warm.