Air Conditioner Tune Up West Linn Oregon

How to solve typical heating & cooling problems



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


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


With a little diy experience you can repair and repair your furnace yourself. Your best choice though is to have an upkeep check list for your heating unit to prevent the problem.


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



Whether you have a traditional gas heater or a high performance gas heating system understanding how your furnace/heating system works is very important. You need to comprehend 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 ridiculous but examine the thermostat to guarantee it is set on "heat" and that it is set at least 5 degrees above room temperature level. You might be shocked how many service calls are made without inspecting this!


Here are a couple of thermostat checks to perform yourself:


Examine the battery on the thermostat. You may require to change the batteries on your thermostat. If your homes thermostat unit runs on batteries make sure you are altering them a minimum of as soon as a year or as needed.


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


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


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


Check the breaker. If on shut off the breaker and inspect the fuse for the furnace.




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


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


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



Go to your houses breaker panel and look for the circuit that manages the heater. Youre seeking to see whether its tossed to the "Off" position or whether its in the middle.


Manually test the breaker. Flip it back and forth.


Make sure it is remaining in the "On" position.


This will reset the breaker. If this does not do the trick you have a problem with either the electrical wiring in the circuit or the breaker itself.



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


A heater that struggles to produce heat is a different matter from one that has somehow quit working.


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


This is an easy however crucial part of heater upkeep. One of the most typical factors to have a furnace not working is a clogged up filter. It likewise takes place to be the most convenient upkeep chore.


Replacing your heater filter frequently is a quick and easy job and goes a long way in safeguarding HVAC elements and improving your inside air quality.


Locate your filter - Some heaters have their filter in the consumption. This most likely appear like a grate in a flooring ceiling or wall. Other filters live in the heating system itself.



Inspect your filter - You can inform if the time has come to alter it by holding it approximately the light. If no light shines through the filter needs altering. A dirty unclean smell from the vents when the blower switches on is another good indication you ought to alter your heater filter.


Change your filter - Make sure your heater is shut off. No air ought 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 decrease its effectiveness.


Cleaning up the debris that constructs up on your filters will aid with the circulation of air. When your air filter is clogged your air handler must work more difficult to make up for the blockage of air circulation. In addition to increasing your utility bill the decreased air circulation through your heating & cooling system can cause your heat exchanger to get too hot and shut off too rapidly.


Filters clean the air headed into the heating system and the heated air returned into the home. A dirty stopped up filter limits the air flow ultimately triggering heat and pressure to build up in the heater.


Newer more efficient heaters are sensitive to the problem and will typically close down prior to a filthy filter causes more problem. For other systems the furnace will continue to run however with less heat output and reduced performance.




Safety switch on a heater door


If your heater is not running one of the first things you should do is check the security turn on the heating system door. A heating system door security switch avoids the fan and burner from coming on while the access panel is gotten rid of.


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


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


Shut the power off. Prep the blower door. Wire the security switch. Inspect and evaluate the setup.





Keep the area around your heating system clean and unblocked


This might seem like an obvious idea however in some cases homeowners with busy lives forget to take notice of locations of their home like the basement.


A basement can become messy which in turn can cause the area around the heating system being filled with miscellaneous possessions and debris. Not just does a tidy heater function better it looks better.


Avoid keeping combustible compounds or materials near your furnace. Crowding your furnace can cause unanticipated fires considerable damage to your house and risk to your household and animals.


However practical it might seem to just "store it there" for the summertime consider the possibility that you might well forget any items youve left on or near your heater. Dont take possibilities offer your heater the room it requires to run securely.


Additionally vacuum and clean frequently around your heater. While you may have gotten rid of any and all combustible items from the area remember that dust and lint can develop and develop a fire threat. An excess quantity of dust and lint can likewise trigger your filter to become clogged faster than normal needing more frequent replacement.