Air Conditioner Tune Up Uptown Portland Oregon

How to fix common heater problems



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


Its something if you simply require to pull the conceal. Its a whole various problem if your furnace is working improperly or not operating at all.


With a little diy experience you can troubleshoot and repair your heating system yourself. Your best option though is to have an upkeep check list for your heating unit to prevent the issue.


Today I have something that will make you seem like you have the knowledge to tackle some heater repairs.



Whether you have a conventional gas heating system or a high efficiency gas heater understanding how your furnace/heating system works is necessary. You need to understand the basic operations of the home appliance so you understand what to look for when there is something incorrect.




Check your thermostat to make certain it is switched on.



It might sound silly but examine the thermostat to ensure it is set on "heat" which it is set at least 5 degrees above space temperature level. You might be surprised the number of service calls are made without inspecting this!


Here are a couple of thermostat checks to perform yourself:


Inspect the battery on the thermostat. You may require to change the batteries on your thermostat. If your homes thermostat unit works on batteries make certain you are altering them at least as soon as a year or as required.


Some thermostats are wired to your homes electrical system while others use batteries. How is yours powered? Often those that use 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 blocked it.


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


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




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


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


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



Go to your homes breaker panel and search for the circuit that controls the heating system. Youre wanting to see whether its tossed to the "Off" position or whether its in the middle.


Manually evaluate the breaker. Turn it back and forth.


Make certain it is staying 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 adequate heat. Inspect and change a stopped up filter.


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


When it comes to a poor-performing heating system that does not heat up the home adequately first guarantee that the air filter is tidy and in good condition if not new.


This is an easy however important part of heating system upkeep. Among the most common factors to have a heating system not working is a clogged filter. It also happens to be the simplest upkeep chore.


Changing your heater filter regularly is a fast and easy task and goes a long method in protecting HVAC parts and improving your inside air quality.


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



Examine your filter - You can tell if the time has concerned change it by holding it up to the light. If no light shines through the filter needs changing. A dusty unclean smell from the vents when the blower switches on is another good sign you ought to change your heating system filter.


Replace your filter - Make sure your heating system is switched off. No air ought to be coming out. Inspect the instructions your filter points. Filters are made to trap matter blown from one instructions. Installing your filter upside-down can minimize its effectiveness.


Cleaning the debris that develops up on your filters will aid with the flow of air. When your air filter is obstructed your air handler must work harder to compensate for the clog of air flow. In addition to increasing your energy expense the lowered air flow through your cooling and heating system can trigger your heat exchanger to overheat and shut off too rapidly.


Filters clean up the air headed into the furnace and the heated air returned into your home. A dirty blocked filter restricts the airflow eventually causing heat and pressure to develop in the heater.


Newer more efficient heating systems are sensitive to the issue and will often shut down before a filthy filter causes more difficulty. For other systems the furnace will continue to run but with less heat output and reduced performance.




Safety switch on a heater door


If your heating system is not running one of the first things you must do is inspect the security turn 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.


Furnaces have a safety switch that pops out when the door is gotten rid of. The door should remain in place for the switch to be activated and for the heating system to run.


If you find you need to set up a new security switch follow the step by action instructions 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 heater tidy and unblocked


This may appear like an obvious tip however sometimes homeowners with busy lives forget to pay attention to locations of their house like the basement.


A basement can become chaotic which in turn can lead to the area around the heating system being filled with various belongings and particles. Not only does a clean heating system function better it looks better.


Avoid keeping combustible compounds or products near your furnace. Crowding your furnace can cause unanticipated fires substantial damage to your house and risk to your household and pets.


However practical it may appear to merely "save it there" for the summertime think about the possibility that you may well forget any products youve left on or near your heater. Dont take chances offer your heater the space it needs to operate safely.


Additionally vacuum and clean routinely around your furnace. While you may have removed any and all combustible products from the area keep in mind that dust and lint can develop and produce a fire risk. An excess amount of dust and lint can also trigger your filter to end up being stopped up faster than usual needing more frequent replacement.