Furnace Repair Lents Portland Oregon

How to solve common furnace breakdowns



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


Its something if you simply need to pull the covers up. Its a whole various problem if your furnace is working improperly or not operating at all.


With a little do-it-yourself experience you can troubleshoot and repair your heating system yourself. Your best option though is to have an upkeep check list for your heater to avoid the problem.


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



Whether you have a standard gas furnace or a high efficiency gas furnace comprehending how your furnace/heating system works is essential. You require to comprehend the fundamental functions of the home appliance so you know what to search for when there is something wrong.




Check your thermostat to make sure it is turned on.



It may sound silly but check the thermostat to ensure it is set on "heat" which 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 conduct yourself:


Examine the battery on the thermostat. You might need to change the batteries on your thermostat. If your houses thermostat unit operates on batteries make sure you are changing them at least when a year or as required.


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


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


Ensure the date and time is right on electronic or programmable designs - the system may be on a timer.


Examine the breaker. If on turn off the breaker and examine the fuse for the heating system.




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


Here are any number of small reasons that this might happen. First verify that the thermostat is set to "Heat." Then attempt moving the dial up or down a couple of degrees to examine if an obvious distinction is felt.


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



Go to your houses breaker panel and try to find the circuit that controls the heating system. Youre wanting to see whether its thrown to the "Off" position or whether its in the middle.


Manually check the breaker. Turn 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 an issue with either the electrical wiring in the circuit or the breaker itself.



The heating system is not producing adequate heat. Inspect and change a clogged filter.


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


In the case of a poor-performing furnace that does not warm the home adequately first make sure that the air filter is tidy and in good condition if not brand-new.


This is an easy however necessary part of furnace maintenance. Among the most typical reasons to have a furnace not working is a blocked filter. It also takes place to be the most convenient maintenance chore.


Changing your heating system filter frequently is a quick and basic task and goes a long method in safeguarding HVAC elements and improving your inside air quality.


Find your filter - Some heating systems have their filter in the intake. This probably appear like a grate in a floor ceiling or wall. Other filters live in the furnace itself.



Examine your filter - You can tell if the time has actually pertained to change it by holding it approximately the light. If no light shines through the filter requires altering. A dirty unclean odor from the vents when the blower turns on is another excellent sign you ought to change your heating system filter.


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


Cleaning the debris that constructs up on your filters will help with the circulation of air. When your air filter is clogged your air handler should work harder to compensate for the clog of air circulation. In addition to driving up your utility bill the minimized air flow through your cooling and heating system can trigger your heat exchanger to overheat and shut off too quickly.


Filters clean the air headed into the furnace and the heated air returned into your home. A dirty clogged filter restricts the airflow eventually causing heat and pressure to develop up in the heater.


Newer more efficient heating systems are sensitive to the issue and will frequently close down before a dirty filter triggers more difficulty. For other systems the heater will continue to run however with less heat output and decreased efficiency.




Security switch on a furnace door


If your heating system is not operating one of the first things you must do is check the security turn on the furnace door. A furnace door security switch prevents the fan and burner from coming on while the gain access to panel is removed.


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


If you discover you need to set up a brand-new safety switch follow the action by action directions on How to Install a Furnace Door Safety Switch.


Shut the power off. Preparation the blower door. Wire the safety switch. Check and test the setup.





Keep the area around your heating system clean and unblocked


This might appear like an apparent suggestion however often house owners with busy lives forget to take note of areas of their house like the basement.


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


Prevent storing combustible compounds or products near your heater. Crowding your heating system can lead to unforeseen fires substantial damage to your house and danger to your household and family pets.


Nevertheless hassle-free it might seem to just "keep it there" for the summer season think about the possibility that you may well forget any items youve left on or near your furnace. Dont take chances give your heater the space it needs to operate safely.


Furthermore vacuum and clean routinely around your furnace. While you may have eliminated any and all combustible products from the area keep in mind that dust and lint can develop and create a fire risk. An excess amount of dust and lint can also trigger your filter to end up being blocked quicker than usual needing more frequent replacement.

The Lents neighborhood in the Southeast section of Portland, Oregon is bordered by SE Powell Blvd. on the north, the Clackamas County line or City of Portland line on the south, SE 82nd Ave. to the west, and roughly SE 112th on the east. The NE corner overlaps with the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood.


Area: 3.03 mi²