AC Company Eliot Portland Oregon

Why to fix common heating and cooling problems



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


Its one thing if you just need to pull the conceal. Its an entire various issue if your heating system is working inadequately or not operating at all.


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


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



Whether you have a conventional gas heater or a high performance gas heating system understanding how your furnace/heating system works is crucial. You need to comprehend the standard operations of the appliance so you know what to search for when there is something wrong.




Check your thermostat to make sure it is turned on.



It might sound ridiculous but examine the thermostat to ensure it is set on "heat" and that it is set at least five degrees above room temperature. You may be shocked how many service calls are made without inspecting this!


Here are a few thermostat checks to conduct yourself:


Examine the battery on the thermostat. You might need to alter the batteries on your thermostat. If your houses thermostat unit works on batteries make sure you are altering them a minimum of 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? Sometimes those that utilize batteries will flash a low-battery sign when they need a replacement.


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


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


Check the breaker. If on turn off the breaker and check the fuse for the heater.




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


Here are any variety of small reasons that this might happen. Initially confirm that the thermostat is set to "Heat." Then try moving the dial up or down a couple of degrees to inspect if a noticeable distinction 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 furnace. Youre seeking to see whether its tossed to the "Off" position or whether its in the middle.


Manually test the breaker. Turn it back and forth.


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


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



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


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


In the case of a poor-performing heater that does not warm the house sufficiently very first ensure that the air filter is clean and in great condition if not new.


This is a basic however essential part of heating system maintenance. One of the most common factors to have a furnace not working is a clogged up filter. It likewise occurs to be the simplest upkeep task.


Changing your heating system filter frequently is a quick and easy task and goes a long way in safeguarding HVAC elements and improving your inside air quality.


Find your filter - Some heaters have their filter in the intake. This more than likely appearances like a grate in a floor ceiling or wall. Other filters reside in the heating system itself.



Check your filter - You can tell if the time has concerned change it by holding it approximately the light. If no light shines through the filter needs altering. A dusty filthy smell from the vents when the blower turns on is another great sign you ought to change your heating system filter.


Replace your filter - Make sure your furnace is switched off. No air must be coming out. Examine the instructions your filter points. Filters are made to trap matter blown from one direction. Installing your filter upside-down can decrease its efficiency.


Cleaning the debris that builds up on your filters will help with the flow of air. When your air filter is clogged your air handler need to work harder to make up for the obstruction of air flow. In addition to increasing your utility bill the decreased air flow through your heating & cooling system can trigger your heat exchanger to overheat and shut off too rapidly.


Filters clean up the air headed into the heater and the heated air returned into your home. An unclean blocked filter limits the air flow eventually triggering heat and pressure to develop up in the heater.


Newer more effective furnaces are delicate to the issue and will frequently close down prior to a filthy filter causes more problem. For other units the heating system will continue to run but with less heat output and minimized performance.




Security switch on a heating system door


If your heating system is not operating one of the very first things you must do is inspect the security turn on the heater door. A heating system door security switch prevents the fan and burner from beginning while the gain access to panel is removed.


Heating systems have a safety switch that pops out when the door is eliminated. The door must be in location for the switch to be activated and for the furnace to operate.


If you discover you need to set up a brand-new security switch follow the action by step instructions on How to Install a Furnace Door Safety Switch.


Shut the power off. Preparation the blower door. Wire the safety switch. Check and check the setup.





Keep the location around your heating system clean and unobstructed


This might appear like an apparent pointer however in some cases homeowners with hectic lives forget to take note of areas of their house like the basement.


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


Avoid saving combustible substances or products near your heating system. Crowding your heater can lead to unexpected fires substantial damage to your home and danger to your household and pets.


However practical it may appear to just "save it there" for the summertime think about the possibility that you might well forget any products youve left on or near your heater. Dont take chances provide your heater the space it requires to run securely.


Furthermore vacuum and clean frequently around your heater. While you might have gotten rid of any and all flammable items from the area bear in mind that dust and lint can develop and create a fire hazard. An excess amount of dust and lint can likewise cause your filter to end up being blocked quicker than normal requiring more regular replacement.