HVAC Contractor Old Town Chinatown Portland Oregon

Why to solve routine furnace complications



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


Its one thing if you just require to pull the cover. Its an entire various problem if your heating system is working poorly or not operating at all.


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


Today I have something that will make you feel like you have the understanding to tackle some heating system repairs.



Whether you have a conventional gas heating system or a high performance gas furnace understanding how your furnace/heating system works is essential. You require to comprehend the fundamental functions of the device so you know what to look for when there is something wrong.




Inspect your thermostat to ensure it is turned on.



It might sound ridiculous however examine the thermostat to ensure it is set on "heat" which it is set at least 5 degrees above room temperature level. You might be stunned how lots of service calls are made without checking this!


Here are a few thermostat checks to conduct yourself:


Inspect the battery on the thermostat. You may require to change the batteries on your thermostat. If your houses thermostat unit works on batteries be sure you are altering them a minimum of as soon as a year or as needed.


Some thermostats are wired to your homes electrical system while others use batteries. How is yours powered? In some cases those that utilize 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 clogged it.


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


Check the breaker. If on shut off the breaker and examine the fuse for the furnace.




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


Here are any number of small reasons that this could occur. Initially confirm that the thermostat is set to "Heat." Then try moving the dial up or down a few degrees to examine if an obvious distinction is felt.


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



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


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


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


This will reset the breaker. If this does refrain from doing the technique you have a problem with either the electrical wiring in the circuit or the circuit breaker itself.



The furnace is not producing sufficient heat. Check and change a clogged up filter.


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


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


This is a basic but important part of heater maintenance. One of the most typical factors to have a furnace not working is a blocked filter. It also takes place to be the easiest upkeep chore.


Replacing your heating system filter regularly is a fast and easy job and goes a long way in protecting HVAC components and enhancing your inside air quality.


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



Examine your filter - You can tell if the time has come to change it by holding it as much as the light. If no light shines through the filter needs altering. A dusty unclean smell from the vents when the blower switches on is another excellent indication you should alter your furnace filter.


Replace your filter - Make sure your furnace is turned off. No air should be coming out. Inspect the direction your filter points. Filters are made to trap matter blown from one direction. Installing your filter upside-down can lower its efficiency.


Cleaning up the particles that constructs up on your filters will help with the circulation of air. When your air filter is obstructed your air handler should work more difficult to compensate for the clog of air flow. In addition to increasing your utility bill the reduced air flow through your cooling and heating system can trigger your heat exchanger to get too hot and shut down too rapidly.


Filters clean up the air headed into the heater and the heated air returned into your home. A filthy blocked filter limits the airflow eventually triggering heat and pressure to develop up in the heating system.


Newer more efficient heating systems are sensitive to the issue and will often close down prior to an unclean filter triggers more trouble. For other systems the furnace will continue to run but with less heat output and minimized effectiveness.




Security switch on a heater door


If your furnace is not operating among the very first things you must do is examine the safety switch on the heating system door. A furnace door security switch prevents the fan and burner from coming on while the access panel is eliminated.


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


If you find you need to install a new safety switch follow the action by step directions on How to Install a Furnace Door Safety Switch.


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





Keep the area around your heater tidy and unblocked


This may look like an obvious pointer but often property owners with hectic lives forget to take note of locations of their house like the basement.


A basement can become messy which in turn can lead to the area around the heater being filled with miscellaneous possessions and particles. Not just does a tidy heater function much better it looks better.


Prevent keeping combustible substances or products near your heater. Crowding your heating system can result in unforeseen fires significant damage to your house and danger to your family and animals.


However practical it might appear to just "save it there" for the summer season think about the chance that you may well forget any products youve left on or near your heater. Dont take possibilities offer your heating system the room it needs to run securely.


Additionally vacuum and tidy frequently around your furnace. While you might have eliminated any and all flammable products from the location remember that dust and lint can develop and produce a fire threat. An excess amount of dust and lint can also cause your filter to become clogged up quicker than normal requiring more regular replacement.

Old Town Chinatown is the official Chinatown of the Northwest section of Portland, Oregon. The Willamette River forms its eastern boundary, separating it from the Lloyd District and the Kerns and Buckman neighborhoods.


Area: 128 acres








Address: 50 SW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97204

Address: 18 NW 4th Ave, Portland, OR 97209

Address: 15 NW 4th Ave, Portland, OR 97209