HVAC Contractor Northwest Heights Portland Oregon

How to solve typical heating system problems



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


Its something if you just require to pull the cover. Its a whole different issue if your furnace is working improperly or not working at all.


With a little diy experience you can fix and repair your heating system yourself. Your finest bet though is to have a maintenance check list for your heating unit to prevent the problem.


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



Whether you have a conventional gas furnace or a high efficiency gas heating system comprehending how your furnace/heating system works is necessary. You need to comprehend the fundamental workings of the device so you know what to try to find when there is something incorrect.




Examine your thermostat to ensure it is turned on.



It may sound silly but examine the thermostat to ensure it is set on "heat" which it is set at least five degrees above space temperature. You might be shocked the number of service calls are made without examining this!


Here are a few thermostat checks to conduct yourself:


Check the battery on the thermostat. You may need to alter the batteries on your thermostat. If your houses thermostat unit runs on batteries make sure you are changing them at least as soon as a year or as needed.


Some thermostats are wired to your houses electrical system while others use batteries. How is yours powered? In some cases those that use batteries will flash a low-battery sign when they need a replacement.


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


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


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




Heating system is not producing heat - try to reset the Circuit Breaker


Here are any variety 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 check if a noticeable distinction is felt.


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



Go to your homes breaker panel and look for the circuit that controls the heating system. Youre wanting to see whether its tossed to the "Off" position or whether its in the middle.


Manually evaluate the breaker. Turn it backward and forward.


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


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



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


A heater that has a hard time to produce heat is a various matter from one that has actually somehow quit working.


When it comes to a poor-performing furnace that doesnt warm the house sufficiently very first ensure that the air filter is tidy and in excellent condition if not new.


This is an easy however vital part of heating system maintenance. Among the most typical reasons to have a furnace not working is a clogged up filter. It likewise happens to be the simplest maintenance task.


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


Find your filter - Some heating systems have their filter in the intake. This more than likely appear like a grate in a floor ceiling or wall. Other filters reside in the heating system itself.



Examine your filter - You can inform if the time has concerned alter it by holding it as much as the light. If no light shines through the filter requires altering. A dusty unclean smell from the vents when the blower turns on is another great indication you ought to alter your heating system filter.


Change your filter - Make sure your heater is turned off. No air needs to 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 minimize its effectiveness.


Cleaning the particles that develops on your filters will help with the circulation of air. When your air filter is blocked your air handler need to work harder to make up for the clog of air flow. In addition to increasing your utility bill the lowered air flow through your heating and cooling system can cause your heat exchanger to get too hot and shut off too rapidly.


Filters clean up the air headed into the heater and the heated air returned into the house. A filthy stopped up filter limits the airflow ultimately causing heat and pressure to build up in the heating system.


Newer more effective heating systems are sensitive to the problem and will frequently shut down prior to a dirty filter triggers more trouble. For other systems the furnace will continue to run but with less heat output and lowered efficiency.




Safety turn on a heating system door


If your heating system is not operating among the very first things you ought to do is inspect the safety switch on the heating system door. A furnace door safety switch prevents 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 gotten rid of. The door needs to remain in location for the switch to be activated and for the furnace to run.


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


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





Keep the area around your furnace tidy and unblocked


This may look like an apparent suggestion however in some cases homeowners with hectic lives forget to pay attention to locations of their home like the basement.


A basement can become chaotic which in turn can cause the location around the heater being filled with miscellaneous ownerships and debris. Not only does a tidy heating system function much better it looks much better.


Avoid saving flammable substances or products near your heater. Crowding your heating system can lead to unforeseen fires significant damage to your house and threat to your household and pets.


Nevertheless convenient it might appear to merely "save it there" for the summertime think about the opportunity that you might well forget any items youve left on or near your furnace. Do not take possibilities offer your heating system the space it needs to operate safely.


Additionally vacuum and clean regularly around your furnace. While you may have removed any and all combustible items from the location keep in mind that dust and lint can develop and create a fire danger. An excess quantity of dust and lint can likewise trigger your filter to end up being blocked sooner than typical needing more frequent replacement.

Northwest Heights is a neighborhood on the west side of Portland.

It is generally regarded as a wealthy neighborhood. The home ownership rate is among the highest in the state, at 83%. The neighborhood has a population of 5,505 as of 2020.










Address: 1937 NW 23rd Pl, Portland, OR 97210

Address: 2037 NW Miller Rd, Portland, OR 97229

Address: 2025 NW Miller Rd, Portland, OR 97229