Ductwork Bridlemile Portland Oregon

How to fix typical HVAC problems



There is nothing worse than waking up cold in the middle of the night.


Its something if you just require to pull the covers up. Its a whole different concern if your furnace is working inadequately or not working at all.


With a little do-it-yourself experience you can fix and repair your furnace yourself. Your best bet though is to have a maintenance check list for your heating unit to prevent the issue.


Today I have something that will make you seem like you have the understanding to tackle some furnace repairs.



Whether you have a conventional gas heater or a high effectiveness gas heater understanding how your furnace/heating system works is very important. You need to comprehend the basic functions of the appliance so you understand what to search for when there is something incorrect.




Inspect your thermostat to ensure it is switched on.



It may sound silly however examine the thermostat to guarantee it is set on "heat" which it is set at least five degrees above room temperature level. You might be shocked the number of service calls are made without checking this!


Here are a couple of thermostat checks to conduct yourself:


Check the battery on the thermostat. You may need to change the batteries on your thermostat. If your homes thermostat unit works on batteries make sure you are altering them a minimum of as soon as a year or as needed.


Some thermostats are wired to the houses electrical system while others use batteries. How is yours powered? Sometimes those that use batteries will flash a low-battery symbol when they need a replacement.


Open the thermostat and gently blow any dust or debris that may have clogged it.


Make certain the date and time is right on electronic or programmable models - the system may be on a timer.


Check the breaker. If on turn off the breaker and inspect the fuse for the heating system.




Furnace is not producing heat - try to reset the Circuit Breaker


Here are any variety of minor reasons this could happen. First confirm that the thermostat is set to "Heat." Then try moving the dial up or down a few degrees to examine if an obvious difference is felt.


If there is no outcome check to see if possibly a circuit breaker or fuse was tripped or blown.



Go to your houses breaker panel and search for the circuit that manages the furnace. Youre wanting to see whether its tossed to the "Off" position or whether its in the middle.


By hand test the breaker. Flip it backward and forward.


Make sure it is remaining in the "On" position.


This will reset the breaker. If this does not do the trick you have a problem with either the electrical wiring in the circuit or the breaker itself.



The heater is not producing enough heat. Check and alter a clogged up filter.


A heating system that struggles to produce heat is a various matter from one that has somehow stopped working.


When it comes to a poor-performing heater that doesnt warm the home sufficiently very first make sure that the air filter is clean and in excellent condition if not new.


This is a simple but vital part of heating system maintenance. Among the most typical factors to have a heating system not working is a blocked filter. It also happens to be the simplest upkeep chore.


Changing your heating system filter frequently is a fast and easy job and goes a long method in safeguarding HVAC parts and enhancing your inside air quality.


Find your filter - Some furnaces have their filter in the intake. This probably appearances like a grate in a flooring ceiling or wall. Other filters live in the heater itself.



Check your filter - You can inform if the time has pertained to alter it by holding it approximately the light. If no light shines through the filter needs changing. A dirty filthy smell from the vents when the blower turns on is another great sign you should change your heating system filter.


Replace your filter - Make sure your furnace is switched off. No air must be coming out. Check the instructions your filter points. Filters are made to trap matter blown from one instructions. Installing your filter upside-down can decrease its efficiency.


Cleaning up the particles that develops on your filters will aid with the circulation of air. When your air filter is blocked your air handler need to work more difficult to compensate for the obstruction of air flow. In addition to driving up your energy bill the decreased air flow through your heating & cooling system can trigger your heat exchanger to get too hot and shut off too quickly.


Filters clean up the air headed into the furnace and the heated air returned into your house. A dirty clogged up filter restricts the airflow eventually triggering heat and pressure to develop up in the heating system.


Newer more effective furnaces are delicate to the issue and will typically shut down prior to a filthy filter triggers more problem. For other systems the heater will continue to run but with less heat output and reduced performance.




Safety turn on a heater door


If your heating system is not operating one of the very first things you should do is inspect the security turn on the furnace door. A heating system door safety switch prevents the fan and burner from coming on while the access panel is gotten rid of.


Heaters have a safety switch that pops out when the door is gotten rid of. The door must be in place for the switch to be triggered and for the furnace to run.


If you discover you need to set up a new security switch follow the action by step guidelines on How to Install a Furnace Door Safety Switch.


Shut the power off. Preparation the blower door. Wire the safety switch. Examine and test the installation.





Keep the location around your heater tidy and unobstructed


This may seem like an obvious pointer however in some cases homeowners with busy lives forget to pay attention to areas of their home like the basement.


A basement can become messy which in turn can result in the location around the heater being filled with various possessions and particles. Not only does a tidy heating system function much better it looks better.


Avoid storing flammable substances or products near your furnace. Crowding your heater can lead to unexpected fires substantial damage to your house and threat to your family and pets.


Nevertheless convenient it may appear to just "save it there" for the summertime consider the opportunity that you may well forget any items youve left on or near your furnace. Dont take opportunities give your heater the room it requires to operate securely.


In addition vacuum and clean regularly around your heating system. While you may have gotten rid of any and all flammable items from the area remember that dust and lint can build up and produce a fire danger. An excess quantity of dust and lint can also cause your filter to end up being stopped up earlier than normal requiring more regular replacement.

Bridlemile is a Southwest Portland, Oregon neighborhood in the West Hills. The Portland city boundary runs through the neighborhood such that the southern part of the neighborhood is within Portland proper, but the northern portion is unincorporated Multnomah County.


Area: 1.4 mi²