Air Conditioner Tune Up Piedmont Portland Oregon

When to repair common heating and cooling complications



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


Its something if you just need to pull the cover. Its a whole different issue if your heater is working badly or not operating at all.


With a little do-it-yourself experience you can fix and repair your heater yourself. Your best choice though is to have an upkeep 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 deal with some heater repair work.



Whether you have a standard gas heater or a high efficiency gas heating system understanding how your furnace/heating system works is very important. You need to comprehend the standard workings of the home appliance so you know what to try to find when there is something incorrect.




Examine your thermostat to ensure it is switched on.



It may sound ridiculous however examine the thermostat to guarantee it is set on "heat" which it is set at least five degrees above room temperature. You might be stunned the number of service calls are made without inspecting this!


Here are a few thermostat checks to perform yourself:


Inspect the battery on the thermostat. You may need to change the batteries on your thermostat. If your homes thermostat system operates 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 need 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 models - the system might be on a timer.


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




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


Here are any variety of minor reasons that this could take place. First confirm that the thermostat is set to "Heat." Then attempt moving the dial up or down a couple of degrees to examine if an obvious distinction is felt.


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



Go to your houses breaker panel and look for the circuit that controls the furnace. Youre looking to see whether its thrown 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 trick you have an issue with either the electrical wiring in the circuit or the circuit breaker itself.



The heating system is not producing sufficient heat. Check and change a clogged filter.


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


When it comes to a poor-performing heater that doesnt heat up the house sufficiently very first make sure that the air filter is clean and in good condition if not new.


This is an easy but important part of heating system upkeep. Among the most typical factors to have a heater not working is a blocked filter. It also occurs to be the most convenient upkeep chore.


Replacing your heating system filter regularly is a fast and basic job and goes a long method in securing HVAC components and enhancing your inside air quality.


Locate 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 reside in the furnace itself.



Check your filter - You can inform if the time has actually come to change it by holding it up to the light. If no light shines through the filter needs changing. A dirty filthy smell from the vents when the blower switches on is another excellent sign you need to alter your furnace filter.


Replace your filter - Make sure your furnace is shut off. No air needs to be coming out. Check the instructions your filter points. Filters are made to trap matter blown from one direction. Installing your filter upside-down can lower its effectiveness.


Cleaning the debris that develops on your filters will help with the flow of air. When your air filter is clogged your air handler should work more difficult to compensate for the obstruction of air flow. In addition to increasing your energy bill the minimized air flow through your heating and cooling system can trigger your heat exchanger to get too hot and turn off too quickly.


Filters clean up the air headed into the heater and the heated air returned into your home. A dirty stopped up filter limits the airflow eventually causing heat and pressure to construct up in the heater.


Newer more effective furnaces are sensitive to the issue and will often close down before a dirty filter triggers more trouble. For other units the heating system will continue to run but with less heat output and reduced effectiveness.




Security turn on a heater door


If your heater is not operating among the very first things you must do is check the security switch on the heater door. A furnace door safety switch prevents the fan and burner from beginning while the gain access to panel is gotten rid of.


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


If you find you require to set up a new safety switch follow the action by action directions on How to Install a Furnace Door Safety Switch.


Shut the power off. Prep the blower door. Wire the safety switch. Check and test the installation.





Keep the location around your heating system tidy and unobstructed


This might look like an obvious idea but often property owners with hectic lives forget to take notice of locations of their home like the basement.


A basement can end up being chaotic which in turn can cause the location around the furnace being filled with miscellaneous possessions and particles. Not only does a clean furnace function better it looks better.


Prevent keeping combustible compounds or products near your heating system. Crowding your furnace can cause unexpected fires significant damage to your home and danger to your family and pets.


However hassle-free it might appear to merely "store it there" for the summertime think about the possibility that you may well forget any items youve left on or near your heater. Do not take possibilities give your heater the space it needs to operate securely.


In addition vacuum and tidy regularly around your heating system. While you might have eliminated any and all flammable items from the location keep in mind that dust and lint can develop and develop a fire threat. An excess quantity of dust and lint can likewise trigger your filter to end up being clogged up earlier than usual requiring more frequent replacement.