Commercial HVAC Hillsboro Oregon

How to repair typical heating & cooling breakdowns



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


Its one thing if you just need to pull the covers up. Its an entire different problem if your heating system is working badly or not working at all.


With a little diy experience you can fix and repair your furnace yourself. Your best option though is to have an upkeep 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 deal with some furnace repairs.



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




Inspect your thermostat to make sure it is turned on.



It might sound ridiculous but check the thermostat to guarantee it is set on "heat" which it is set at least 5 degrees above room temperature level. You may be surprised the number of service calls are made without inspecting this!


Here are a few thermostat checks to conduct yourself:


Examine 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 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? Sometimes those that use batteries will flash a low-battery symbol when they require a replacement.


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


Make certain the date and time is appropriate on electronic or programmable models - the system may be on a timer.


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




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


Here are any variety of minor reasons that this could happen. Initially validate that the thermostat is set to "Heat." Then try moving the dial up or down a few degrees to examine if a noticeable distinction is felt.


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



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


Manually evaluate the breaker. Turn it backward and forward.


Ensure it is remaining in the "On" position.


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



The heater is not producing sufficient heat. Check and alter a clogged filter.


A heating system that has a hard time to produce heat is a different matter from one that has actually somehow stopped working.


When it comes to a poor-performing heater that does not heat up the house sufficiently first ensure that the air filter is clean and in excellent condition if not brand-new.


This is a basic however vital part of furnace maintenance. Among the most common reasons to have a heater not working is a stopped up filter. It likewise occurs to be the simplest upkeep task.


Replacing your heating system filter frequently is a fast and simple task and goes a long way in safeguarding HVAC parts and enhancing your inside air quality.


Locate your filter - Some heating systems have their filter in the consumption. This most likely appearances like a grate in a floor ceiling or wall. Other filters reside in the heating system itself.



Inspect your filter - You can inform if the time has come to alter it by holding it as much as the light. If no light shines through the filter requires changing. A dusty dirty smell from the vents when the blower turns on is another excellent indication you must alter your heater filter.


Change your filter - Make sure your furnace is shut off. No air needs 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 minimize its efficiency.


Cleaning the debris that constructs up on your filters will help with the flow of air. When your air filter is clogged your air handler must work harder to make up for the blockage of air flow. In addition to driving up your utility expense the lowered air circulation through your heating and cooling system can trigger your heat exchanger to overheat and turn off too rapidly.


Filters clean the air headed into the furnace and the heated air returned into your house. An unclean clogged up filter limits the air flow ultimately triggering heat and pressure to develop in the furnace.


Newer more efficient heaters are delicate to the problem and will frequently close down prior to an unclean filter triggers more difficulty. For other systems the furnace will continue to run however with less heat output and minimized efficiency.




Security switch on a heating system door


If your heating system is not running among the first things you must do is check the safety switch on the heating system door. A heating system door safety switch avoids the fan and burner from coming on while the gain access to panel is eliminated.


Heaters have a safety switch that pops out when the door is eliminated. The door needs to be in place for the switch to be activated and for the heating system to run.


If you discover you need to install a brand-new security switch follow the step by step guidelines on How to Install a Furnace Door Safety Switch.


Shut the power off. Preparation the blower door. Wire the safety switch. Examine and check the installation.





Keep the area around your furnace tidy and unblocked


This may seem like an obvious tip but often property owners with busy lives forget to pay attention to locations of their house like the basement.


A basement can end up being messy which in turn can result in the area around the furnace being filled with various ownerships and particles. Not just does a tidy furnace function better it looks much better.


Prevent saving flammable compounds or materials near your furnace. Crowding your heating system can lead to unforeseen fires substantial damage to your house and danger to your family and pets.


Nevertheless convenient it may appear to simply "keep it there" for the summer season think about the chance that you may well forget any products youve left on or near your heating system. Dont take possibilities offer your furnace the space it requires to run securely.


Additionally vacuum and clean frequently around your heater. While you might have removed any and all flammable products from the area bear in mind that dust and lint can construct up and develop a fire threat. An excess quantity of dust and lint can also trigger your filter to become clogged up faster than typical needing more frequent replacement.