Ductwork Laurelhurst Portland Oregon

How to repair common heating system issues



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


Its something if you just need to pull the cover. Its an entire various concern if your heating system is working poorly or not operating at all.


With a little diy experience you can fix and repair your heating system yourself. Your best choice though is to have a maintenance check list for your heating system to avoid the issue.


Today I have something that will make you seem like you have the knowledge to take on some heater repair work.



Whether you have a standard gas heater or a high effectiveness gas furnace comprehending how your furnace/heating system works is important. You require to understand the standard functions of the home appliance so you understand what to search for when there is something wrong.




Inspect your thermostat to make certain it is switched on.



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


Here are a few thermostat checks to perform 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 certain you are altering them a minimum of as soon as a year or as required.


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


Open the thermostat and carefully blow any dust or particles that might have blocked it.


Make sure the date and time is correct on electronic or programmable designs - the system may be on a timer.


Inspect the breaker. If on turn off the breaker and check the fuse for the furnace.




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


Here are any variety of small reasons this might happen. First verify that the thermostat is set to "Heat." Then attempt moving the dial up or down a few degrees to examine if a visible distinction 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 try to find the circuit that controls the furnace. Youre seeking to see whether its thrown to the "Off" position or whether its in the middle.


Manually evaluate the breaker. Turn it back and forth.


Ensure it is staying in the "On" position.


This will reset the breaker. If this does refrain from doing the trick you have an issue with either the electrical wiring in the circuit or the circuit breaker itself.



The heating system is not producing enough heat. Examine and alter a clogged filter.


A heater that has a hard time to produce heat is a different matter from one that has in some way quit working.


When it comes to a poor-performing heating system that does not warm the home adequately first guarantee that the air filter is clean and in great condition if not brand-new.


This is an easy however important part of heater maintenance. Among the most common factors to have a furnace not working is a clogged filter. It also occurs to be the easiest upkeep chore.


Changing your heating system filter regularly is a fast and basic job and goes a long method in protecting HVAC parts and enhancing your inside air quality.


Locate your filter - Some heaters have their filter in the intake. This more than likely appearances like a grate in a flooring ceiling or wall. Other filters live in the heater itself.



Inspect your filter - You can tell if the time has actually pertained to alter it by holding it as much as the light. If no light shines through the filter needs altering. A dirty filthy smell from the vents when the blower turns on is another excellent indication you ought to alter your furnace filter.


Change your filter - Make sure your heater is switched off. No air must be coming out. Examine the direction your filter points. Filters are made to trap matter blown from one instructions. Installing your filter upside-down can reduce its effectiveness.


Cleaning up the particles that builds up on your filters will aid with the flow of air. When your air filter is blocked your air handler should work harder to make up for the clog of air circulation. In addition to increasing your utility costs the reduced air flow through your heating & cooling system can cause your heat exchanger to get too hot and turn off too quickly.


Filters clean up the air headed into the furnace and the heated air sent out back into the home. A dirty stopped up filter limits the airflow ultimately causing heat and pressure to construct up in the heating system.


Newer more effective heating systems are sensitive to the issue and will often shut down prior to an unclean filter causes more trouble. For other systems the heater will continue to run however with less heat output and minimized effectiveness.




Safety turn on a heating system door


If your heating system is not operating among the first things you need to do is inspect the safety switch on the heating system door. A heater door security switch avoids the fan and burner from coming on while the access panel is gotten rid of.


Heating systems have a security switch that pops out when the door is removed. The door must remain in place for the switch to be triggered and for the furnace to operate.


If you discover you require to install a new safety switch follow the action by action guidelines on How to Install a Furnace Door Safety Switch.


Shut the power off. Prep the blower door. Wire the security switch. Check and check the setup.





Keep the area around your heater tidy and unobstructed


This might appear like an obvious idea however in some cases homeowners with busy lives forget to pay attention to areas of their home like the basement.


A basement can end up being cluttered which in turn can cause the area around the heating system being filled with various ownerships and debris. Not only does a clean heating system function better it looks much better.


Avoid keeping flammable compounds or products near your furnace. Crowding your heating system can result in unforeseen fires considerable damage to your house and risk to your family and family pets.


However practical it might appear to merely "keep it there" for the summer season consider the possibility that you may well forget any products youve left on or near your furnace. Do not take opportunities give your heater the room it needs to operate safely.


Additionally vacuum and clean routinely around your heating system. While you might have gotten rid of any and all combustible products from the area keep in mind that dust and lint can construct up and create a fire threat. An excess quantity of dust and lint can likewise cause your filter to end up being clogged up sooner than usual needing more regular replacement.

Laurelhurst is a neighborhood of vintage homes and undulating streets surrounding a park of the same name, straddling the NE and SE sections of Portland. Stone markers flank the entrances to the area.


Area: 429 acres