HVAC Contractor South Burlingame Portland Oregon

When to solve normal heating & cooling breakdowns



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


Its something if you just require to pull the conceal. Its an entire different issue if your heating system is working improperly or not operating at all.


With a little do-it-yourself experience you can troubleshoot and fix your furnace yourself. Your best option though is to have a maintenance check list for your heating unit to avoid the problem.


Today I have something that will make you feel like you have the knowledge to tackle some heater repair work.



Whether you have a conventional gas heating system or a high effectiveness gas heater comprehending how your furnace/heating system works is very important. You need to understand the fundamental operations of the appliance so you know what to try to find when there is something incorrect.




Check your thermostat to make sure it is switched on.



It might sound silly however inspect the thermostat to ensure it is set on "heat" and that it is set at least five degrees above space temperature. You may be stunned how numerous service calls are made without examining this!


Here are a couple of thermostat checks to conduct yourself:


Inspect the battery on the thermostat. You might require to alter the batteries on your thermostat. If your houses thermostat unit works on batteries make certain 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 utilize batteries. How is yours powered? Sometimes those that utilize batteries will flash a low-battery sign when they require a replacement.


Open the thermostat and gently blow any dust or particles that might have clogged it.


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


Examine the breaker. If on switch off the breaker and examine the fuse for the furnace.




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


Here are any number of minor reasons this could take place. First verify that the thermostat is set to "Heat." Then attempt moving the dial up or down a couple of degrees to inspect if a visible difference is felt.


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



Go to your homes breaker panel and try to find the circuit that manages the furnace. Youre looking to see whether its thrown to the "Off" position or whether its in the middle.


By hand evaluate the breaker. Flip it back and forth.


Make certain 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 heating system is not producing enough heat. Check and alter a blocked filter.


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


In the case of a poor-performing furnace that does not heat the house adequately first guarantee that the air filter is tidy and in good condition if not new.


This is an easy however important part of heater upkeep. Among the most typical reasons to have a furnace not working is a stopped up filter. It likewise occurs to be the simplest upkeep task.


Replacing your furnace filter regularly is a quick and basic task and goes a long way in securing HVAC components and improving 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 heater itself.



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


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


Cleaning the particles that develops up on your filters will assist with the circulation of air. When your air filter is clogged your air handler need to work harder to make up for the clog of air flow. In addition to increasing your energy costs the decreased air circulation 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 sent out back into the house. A filthy blocked filter restricts the air flow ultimately causing heat and pressure to build up in the heating system.


Newer more effective heating systems are sensitive to the problem and will often close down before an unclean filter triggers more trouble. For other systems the heating system will continue to run but with less heat output and decreased performance.




Security switch on a heating system door


If your heating system is not operating one of the very first things you must do is inspect the safety switch on the heater door. A furnace door safety switch avoids the fan and burner from coming on while the gain access to panel is removed.


Heaters have a safety switch that pops out when the door is gotten rid of. The door should remain in location for the switch to be triggered and for the heating system to operate.


If you find you need to install 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. Examine and evaluate the setup.





Keep the area around your heater tidy and unobstructed


This might appear like an obvious suggestion however sometimes homeowners with busy lives forget to take note of areas of their home like the basement.


A basement can become chaotic which in turn can result in the location around the heating system being filled with miscellaneous belongings and debris. Not just does a clean heater function better it looks much better.


Prevent storing combustible compounds or materials near your heater. Crowding your furnace can cause unforeseen fires significant damage to your home and risk to your household and animals.


However convenient it may appear to just "save it there" for the summertime consider the possibility that you may well forget any products youve left on or near your heating system. Dont take chances provide your heating system the room it needs to run safely.


Furthermore vacuum and tidy routinely around your heating system. While you may have eliminated any and all combustible items from the location keep in mind that dust and lint can develop and produce a fire danger. An excess quantity of dust and lint can also cause your filter to become stopped up quicker than typical needing more regular replacement.

South Burlingame is a neighborhood in the Southwest section of Portland, Oregon. It is bordered by Multnomah to the west, Hillsdale and South Portland to the north, the River View Cemetery to the east, and Markham, Marshall Park, and Collins View to the south.


Area: 269 acres








Address: 7958 SW Barbur Blvd, Portland, OR 97219

Address: 8510 SW Terwilliger Blvd, Portland, OR 97219

Address: 8124 SW Barbur Blvd, Portland, OR 97219