Air Conditioner Tune Up Northwest Heights Portland Oregon

Why to repair common furnace problems



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


Its something if you simply require to pull the cover. Its a whole various issue if your heater is working poorly or not operating at all.


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


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



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




Inspect your thermostat to make sure it is turned on.



It may sound ridiculous but check the thermostat to guarantee it is set on "heat" which it is set at least five degrees above space temperature. You may be stunned how many service calls are made without examining this!


Here are a couple of thermostat checks to perform yourself:


Check the battery on the thermostat. You might need to change the batteries on your thermostat. If your homes thermostat system runs on batteries make certain you are changing them a minimum of as soon as a year or as required.


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


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


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


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




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


Here are any variety of small factors why this could take place. First validate that the thermostat is set to "Heat." Then try moving the dial up or down a couple of degrees to examine if a noticeable difference is felt.


If there is no outcome check to see if possibly a circuit 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 thrown to the "Off" position or whether its in the middle.


Manually evaluate the breaker. Flip it back and forth.


Ensure 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 circuitry in the circuit or the circuit breaker itself.



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


A furnace that struggles to produce heat is a various matter from one that has actually somehow stopped working.


When it comes to a poor-performing furnace that does not warm the house adequately very first make sure that the air filter is tidy and in good condition if not brand-new.


This is an easy but crucial part of heating system upkeep. One of the most typical reasons to have a furnace not working is a clogged filter. It also occurs to be the easiest upkeep chore.


Replacing your furnace filter routinely is a fast and easy job and goes a long way in safeguarding HVAC components and enhancing your inside air quality.


Locate your filter - Some heating systems have their filter in the intake. This more than likely appearances like a grate in a flooring ceiling or wall. Other filters reside in the heater itself.



Check your filter - You can tell if the time has concerned alter it by holding it up to the light. If no light shines through the filter requires altering. A dusty unclean odor from the vents when the blower turns on is another great sign you must alter your heating system filter.


Replace your filter - Make sure your heating system is shut off. No air must 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 lower its efficiency.


Cleaning up the particles that develops on your filters will aid 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 circulation. In addition to increasing your energy costs the lowered air flow through your cooling and heating system can cause your heat exchanger to get too hot and turn off too rapidly.


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


Newer more effective heating systems are delicate to the issue and will often close down prior to a filthy filter triggers more difficulty. For other units the heating system will continue to run however with less heat output and reduced efficiency.




Security switch on a furnace door


If your furnace is not operating one of the very first things you ought to do is examine the safety switch on the heating system door. A furnace door security switch prevents the fan and burner from beginning while the access panel is removed.


Heaters have a safety switch that pops out when the door is removed. The door should remain in place for the switch to be triggered and for the heater to run.


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


Shut the power off. Preparation the blower door. Wire the security switch. Check and evaluate the setup.





Keep the location around your furnace tidy and unblocked


This may appear like an apparent pointer however often homeowners with busy lives forget to focus on locations of their house like the basement.


A basement can end up being cluttered which in turn can lead to the location around the heating system being filled with various possessions and particles. Not just does a tidy heating system function better it looks better.


Avoid keeping flammable compounds or products near your heating system. Crowding your heater can cause unanticipated fires substantial damage to your house and threat to your family and pets.


However practical it may seem to simply "save it there" for the summer season consider the opportunity that you might well forget any products youve left on or near your heating system. Dont take opportunities give your heater the space it needs to operate safely.


Furthermore vacuum and clean frequently around your heating system. While you may have removed any and all flammable products from the location keep in mind that dust and lint can construct up and create a fire hazard. An excess amount of dust and lint can also cause your filter to become stopped up quicker than usual needing more frequent replacement.