FAQ

 

What do I do when I have no heat in my home?

Check the circuit breaker to your furnace. If that is ok, call J.L. Brady.

What do I do when I discover a broken pipe?

Gas pipe -get out and call your utility company (MidAmerican).

Water pipe -turn off the water supply and call J.L. Brady.

How often should I have my furnace or air conditioner checked?

Always have them checked before spring (May/June) and fall (August/September). Call J.L. Brady.

Is my old air conditioner or furnace worth fixing or should I buy new?

Fixing it may save you money now, but a new unit will save you money over time due to its energy efficiency. Call J.L. Brady to learn more.

How often should I change my filters?

Change your filters once a month.

What should I do if I have a leaky faucet?

Try replacing the washer and then call J.L. Brady.

How do I shut off the water?

Your shutoff valve to your home is located where the water line enters the building and the water meter is located. If may be possible to use a cutoff valve closer to your leak – such as below a sink.

It’s the weekend and there is water coming through my ceiling. What do I do?

Turn off your water at the main supply and call J.L. Brady.

I have no hot water, what should I do?

Check the pilot light on your water heater. If needed, relight it according to the instructions located on the water heater. If that doesn’t work, call J.L. Brady.

I smell gas, what should I do?

Get out immediately and call MidAmerican to report a leak. Don’t call from inside the building and don’t turn on or off any power switches - not even on a flashlight.

My CO2 alarm is going off, what do I do?

Call J.L. Brady.

Why do my lights flicker when my air conditioner kicks on?

Your electrical service is overloaded on the circuit breaker, or the service to your home is inadequate. Call J.L. Brady for an analysis.

Why do my pipes bang?

That’s caused by what is called an ‘air-hammer’. Contact J.L. Brady to have this resolved.

Why is there water around my furnace?

Your drainage tube from your A/C could be blocked or disconnected. If you can’t clear the tube or that doesn’t resolve the issue, contact J.L. Brady.

Why is there water around my water heater?

Your water heater overflow tube may be responsible or there could be damage to the water heater itself. Contact J.L. Brady.

Should I have a humidifier?

A humidifier not only makes your home more comfortable, a stable humidity is good for your building and furniture as well.

How long will my HVAC equipment last?

The general rule is 13 years for a heat pump, 15 to 18 for straight A/C, 18 to 20 gas furnaces; however, for energy efficiency and to save money, it would be worth looking at replacing any unit 12 to 15 years old even if it appears to be working well.

How long will my water heater last?

Ten to twelve years is about average. However, depending on the quality of your water this could vary.

Is a digital thermostat better?

The advantage of a digital thermostat is in using the programming capabilities to control what hours your HVAC runs each day.

Why is one room in my house warmer than the others?

You either have an air leakage problem with the windows in that room or your furnace needs to be adjusted. If you need help, call J.L. Brady.

Why is the fan still running but no air or heat is coming out?

Your fan is most likely set to continuous run instead of automatic. In many cases this is the preferred setting because it circulates the air and makes the cooling or heating more uniform in your home.

What do I do when the outside unit freezes? (Why does it freeze?)

You have a problem with your coolant and should contact JL Brady. If this happens in very cold weather, the air compressors won’t work properly unless a heating unit is added – contact J.L. Brady for more information.

Should I cover the outside unit (Air Conditioner)?

Cover only the top portion of the unit with a piece of wood. Covering the entire unit can cause moisture to collect and cause rust damage to the equipment.

Why is the relief valve on my boiler dripping?

The pressure built up in the boiler needs to be released, thus the dripping. If this continues or flows heavily, contact J.L. Brady.

Why does it make a “boom” when my boiler or HVAC equipment starts up?

There could be a number if reasons for this – none of them good, contact J.L. Brady.

Why does my new high efficiency heater produce water?

This is normal and not a concern. The combustion of the propane or natural gas leaves a by-product of water.