Below are common frequently asked questions. For other questions and home maintenance tips please review the Home Owner's Maintenance Manual provided at your walk through.

Air Conditioning, Heating and venting Top of page

Check to see if all vents are open. Adjust vents for air balance between rooms.

A/C filter may need to be replaced if dirty.

Thermostat may be set too high.

If no window treatments (blinds, drapes, etc.) are installed there is nothing to block the sun from entering the room and heating it.

Condensation line is clogged. Condensation lines will eventually clog under normal use. The contractor will provide unobstructed condensation lines at the time the job is accepted. The owner is responsible for maintaining them in that condition.

Turn the air conditioner off at the thermostat and inspect the circuit breaker.  If the breaker is tripped, reset it and restore power to the unit. 

Condensation line may be clogged. Check the sensor next to the air handler to see if the light is on. Clean condensation line properly.

Batteries in the programmable thermostat may need replaced

On units equipped with heat strips collect dust when not in use. When the heat is turned on the heat strip burns off the dust and emits an odor. It may even cause the smoke detectors to alarm. This is normal and the smell will go away after a few minutes of running. It may happen once every year.

Condensation will collect on the exterior surfaces when extreme temperature differences and high humidity levels occur. Condensation usually results from humid conditions within the home that are created by the owner or during the curing process in a new space.

It is possible for cold air to leak into the house through a vent fan. By their very nature, vent fans are somewhat open to outside air. It is possible for the damper to be lodged open due to animal activity, including nesting in the outside opening. Cleanup for this condition is an owner's maintenance item.

For other trouble shooting questions or tips for proper A/C maintenance please refer to the Homeowner's Maintenance Manual provided at walkthrough.

Electrical Top of page

Questions

Look to see if you neighbors have electrical power. If the power is off throughout your neighborhood, call the electric company to report the outage. It is possible for one side of the street to have power and for the power on your side to be out. If the outage is limited to your home, follow the steps below.

Inspect all circuit breakers, including the main breaker (sometimes located next to the meter outside, if the meter is on the master bedroom side). If the breaker seems damaged leave it off and call the electrical contractor on the subcontractor list provided in your walk through package.

If the breakers are not damaged, turn them all off and then turn them back on one at a time. If power does not resume, call the electrical contractor on the subcontractor list provided in your walk through package.

These receptacles may be connected to a Ground Fault Interrupt (GFCI) device designed to interrupt the flow of electricity preventing electrical injury or damage.  Locate the nearest GFCI reset outlet.  If the reset button has tripped, press it in to restore power.  If power is not restored, determine if the circuit is being overloaded.  If breaker in main breaker box has tripped, reset it and then reset the GFCI in the bathroom.  Two hair dryers or other appliances being used on one circuit could cause the breaker to trip.

Make sure that the outlet is not controlled by a wall switch that may be turned off.  Once this is determined, inspect the circuit breakers and reset any that are in the OFF position.

Make sure all fluorescent bulbs are installed properly.  Adjust any tubes that are flickering or buzzing.  Check wall switches and circuit breakers.

Plumbing Top of page

Turn off the water to the fixture.  Follow the procedures outlined under Plumbing in the Homeowner's Maintenance Manual provided at walk through.

Turn off the water at the fixture and arrange for service.  Do not use the shower or tub until service can be provided.

Use the shutoff valve on top of the heater to turn off the water.  If you have gas, turn off the gas valve. On electric heaters turn off the circuit breaker. Drain the water heater.

Adjust the temperature at the water heater by following the manufacturer's instructions printed on the tank.  If you have small children, do not set the temperature high enough that the children might accidentally burn themselves.

Grinder system is off or malfunctioning. Check circuit breaker to see if grinder system is on. If that is not the problem contact Port St. Lucie Utilities immediately at (772) 873-6400.