AC Company Happy Valley Oregon

How to solve typical heating and cooling problems



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


Its something if you simply need to pull the covers up. Its a whole different concern if your furnace is working improperly or not working at all.


With a little diy experience you can repair and fix your furnace yourself. Your best choice though is to have an upkeep check list for your heater to prevent 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 standard gas heating system or a high effectiveness gas furnace comprehending how your furnace/heating system works is essential. You need to comprehend the basic operations of the appliance so you understand what to try to find when there is something wrong.




Inspect your thermostat to make certain it is turned on.



It may sound ridiculous however inspect the thermostat to guarantee it is set on "heat" and that it is set at least 5 degrees above room temperature. You may be shocked how many service calls are made without checking 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 houses thermostat unit runs on batteries make sure you are changing them at least as soon as a year or as required.


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


Open the thermostat and carefully blow any dust or particles that may have obstructed it.


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


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




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


Here are any number of minor reasons this might happen. First verify that the thermostat is set to "Heat." Then try moving the dial up or down a few degrees to inspect if a visible distinction is felt.


If there is no result 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 manages the heating system. Youre wanting to see whether its tossed to the "Off" position or whether its in the middle.


By hand check 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 technique you have a problem with either the circuitry in the circuit or the breaker itself.



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


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


When it comes to a poor-performing heater that doesnt warm the home adequately very first guarantee that the air filter is clean and in excellent condition if not new.


This is a basic however crucial part of furnace maintenance. Among the most typical reasons to have a heating system not working is a stopped up filter. It also takes place to be the simplest upkeep task.


Changing your heater filter routinely is a quick 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 intake. This most likely appear 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 pertained to change it by holding it as much as the light. If no light shines through the filter requires altering. A dirty dirty odor from the vents when the blower turns on is another good indication you must change your heating system filter.


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


Cleaning the debris that develops on your filters will aid with the flow of air. When your air filter is clogged your air handler should work harder to make up for the blockage of air circulation. In addition to driving up your energy bill 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 heater and the heated air returned into the house. An unclean clogged filter limits the air flow eventually causing heat and pressure to build up in the furnace.


Newer more effective furnaces are sensitive to the problem and will frequently shut down prior to an unclean filter triggers more difficulty. For other units the furnace will continue to run but with less heat output and lowered effectiveness.




Safety turn on a heater door


If your heating system is not running among the very first things you ought to do is check the safety turn on the furnace door. A heating system door security switch avoids the fan and burner from coming on while the gain access to panel is gotten rid of.


Heating systems have a safety switch that pops out when the door is eliminated. The door must be 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 step by action directions on How to Install a Furnace Door Safety Switch.


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





Keep the area around your heater clean and unblocked


This might look like an obvious tip however in some cases homeowners with hectic lives forget to take notice of areas of their house like the basement.


A basement can become messy which in turn can cause the location around the heater being filled with miscellaneous possessions and particles. Not only does a clean heater function better it looks better.


Prevent keeping combustible substances or products near your furnace. Crowding your heating system can cause unforeseen fires considerable damage to your house and risk to your household and pets.


Nevertheless hassle-free it might appear to just "keep it there" for the summertime consider the opportunity that you might well forget any items youve left on or near your furnace. Do not take possibilities give your heating system the space it needs to operate safely.


Additionally vacuum and tidy routinely around your heater. While you might have gotten rid of any and all combustible items from the location keep in mind that dust and lint can build up and create a fire danger. An excess amount of dust and lint can likewise cause your filter to become stopped up faster than normal needing more frequent replacement.