AC Company Humboldt Portland Oregon

When to solve typical heating & cooling issues



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


Its something if you just need to pull the conceal. Its an entire various problem if your heater is working badly or not working at all.


With a little do-it-yourself experience you can repair and fix your heating system yourself. Your best choice though is to have an upkeep check list for your heating system to avoid the problem.


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



Whether you have a standard gas furnace or a high efficiency gas furnace comprehending how your furnace/heating system works is crucial. You need to understand the fundamental functions of the home appliance so you understand what to try to find when there is something wrong.




Check your thermostat to make sure it is switched on.



It might sound ridiculous however check the thermostat to ensure it is set on "heat" which it is set at least 5 degrees above room temperature. You might be stunned how numerous service calls are made without checking this!


Here are a few thermostat checks to perform yourself:


Examine the battery on the thermostat. You might need to alter the batteries on your thermostat. If your houses thermostat system runs on batteries make certain you are altering them at least when a year or as needed.


Some thermostats are wired to your homes electrical system while others use batteries. How is yours powered? In some cases 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 sure the date and time is appropriate on electronic or programmable models - the system might be on a timer.


Examine the breaker. If on shut off the breaker and inspect the fuse for the heater.




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


Here are any number of minor reasons that this might take place. First validate that the thermostat is set to "Heat." Then attempt moving the dial up or down a few degrees to check if a visible difference is felt.


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



Go to your homes breaker panel and try to find the circuit that manages the furnace. Youre seeking to see whether its tossed to the "Off" position or whether its in the middle.


By hand evaluate the breaker. Flip it back and forth.


Ensure 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 wiring in the circuit or the circuit breaker itself.



The furnace is not producing enough heat. Examine and alter a clogged filter.


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


When it comes to a poor-performing furnace that does not warm the house sufficiently very first ensure that the air filter is clean and in great condition if not brand-new.


This is a simple however important part of furnace maintenance. Among the most typical reasons to have a furnace not working is a clogged filter. It likewise happens to be the simplest maintenance task.


Changing your heater filter regularly is a quick and simple task and goes a long method in protecting HVAC components and enhancing your inside air quality.


Locate your filter - Some heating systems have their filter in the intake. This probably appearances like a grate in a floor ceiling or wall. Other filters live in the furnace itself.



Check your filter - You can tell if the time has actually concerned alter it by holding it as much as the light. If no light shines through the filter needs changing. A dirty filthy smell from the vents when the blower turns on is another great indication you must alter your furnace filter.


Change your filter - Make sure your heater is turned off. No air must be coming out. Check the direction your filter points. Filters are made to trap matter blown from one direction. Installing your filter upside-down can minimize its effectiveness.


Cleaning up the particles that develops up on your filters will assist with the circulation of air. When your air filter is blocked your air handler should work more difficult to compensate for the blockage of air flow. In addition to driving up your energy bill the reduced air circulation through your heating & cooling system can cause your heat exchanger to overheat and turn off too rapidly.


Filters clean the air headed into the heater and the heated air sent out back into your home. A filthy clogged up filter restricts the air flow eventually triggering heat and pressure to develop in the heater.


Newer more effective heating systems are sensitive to the issue and will typically close down before a filthy filter triggers more difficulty. For other units the furnace will continue to run however with less heat output and decreased effectiveness.




Security switch on a heating system door


If your furnace is not operating among the first things you must do is examine the safety switch on the heater door. A heater door security switch prevents the fan and burner from beginning while the access panel is eliminated.


Furnaces have a security switch that pops out when the door is removed. The door needs to be in location for the switch to be activated and for the furnace to operate.


If you discover you require to install a new security switch follow the step by step guidelines on How to Install a Furnace Door Safety Switch.


Shut the power off. Preparation the blower door. Wire the safety switch. Inspect and test the installation.





Keep the area around your heater clean and unblocked


This might look like an obvious suggestion however often property owners with busy lives forget to focus on areas of their house like the basement.


A basement can become chaotic which in turn can lead to the area around the furnace being filled with miscellaneous ownerships and particles. Not just does a clean heating system function better it looks much better.


Prevent saving combustible substances or products near your heating system. Crowding your furnace can result in unforeseen fires substantial damage to your home and risk to your family and family pets.


However practical it might seem to merely "save it there" for the summer season think about the chance that you might well forget any items youve left on or near your heater. Dont take chances offer your furnace the space it needs to operate safely.


Furthermore vacuum and tidy regularly around your furnace. While you may have removed any and all flammable items from the location bear in mind that dust and lint can develop up and produce a fire danger. An excess amount of dust and lint can also trigger your filter to end up being stopped up sooner than usual requiring more frequent replacement.