AC Company West Slope Oregon

Why to fix routine heating system problems



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


Its one thing if you just need to pull the covers up. Its a whole various concern if your heater is working badly or not operating at all.


With a little diy 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 understanding to take on some heating system repairs.



Whether you have a conventional gas heater or a high performance gas heater understanding how your furnace/heating system works is very important. You require to understand the standard operations of the device so you know what to search for when there is something wrong.




Examine your thermostat to make sure it is turned on.



It might sound ridiculous but check the thermostat to guarantee it is set on "heat" which it is set at least 5 degrees above space 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 homes thermostat unit runs on batteries make certain you are altering them a minimum of as soon as a year or as required.


Some thermostats are wired to your houses electrical system while others utilize 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 debris that might have blocked it.


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


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




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


Here are any variety of minor reasons that this might occur. First validate that the thermostat is set to "Heat." Then try moving the dial up or down a couple of degrees to examine if an obvious distinction is felt.


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



Go to your homes breaker panel and search for the circuit that controls the heater. Youre aiming to see whether its thrown to the "Off" position or whether its in the middle.


Manually evaluate the breaker. Turn it back and forth.


Ensure it is staying in the "On" position.


This will reset the breaker. If this does refrain from doing the technique you have an issue with either the circuitry in the circuit or the breaker itself.



The heater is not producing sufficient heat. Check and alter a stopped up filter.


A heating system that has a hard time to produce heat is a various matter from one that has somehow quit working.


When it comes to a poor-performing furnace 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 a basic but vital part of heater maintenance. Among the most common reasons to have a heater not working is a clogged up filter. It also occurs to be the easiest upkeep task.


Changing your heater filter regularly is a fast and easy job and goes a long method in protecting HVAC components and enhancing your inside air quality.


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



Check your filter - You can tell if the time has pertained to alter it by holding it up to the light. If no light shines through the filter requires changing. A dirty unclean odor from the vents when the blower turns on is another great indication you should change your heating system filter.


Change your filter - Make sure your heating system is switched off. No air should 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 lower its efficiency.


Cleaning up the particles that constructs up on your filters will assist with the circulation of air. When your air filter is obstructed your air handler should work harder to compensate for the clog of air flow. In addition to increasing your energy costs the minimized air flow through your heating and cooling system can trigger your heat exchanger to get too hot and shut down too quickly.


Filters clean up the air headed into the heating system and the heated air sent back into your house. A filthy clogged up filter limits the air flow ultimately triggering heat and pressure to develop in the heating system.


Newer more efficient furnaces are delicate to the problem and will often shut down prior to a filthy filter causes more difficulty. For other systems the furnace will continue to run but with less heat output and lowered performance.




Security switch on a heater door


If your heater is not operating one of the first things you must do is examine the safety switch on the heating system door. A furnace door safety switch prevents the fan and burner from beginning while the access panel is gotten rid of.


Furnaces have a safety switch that pops out when the door is removed. The door needs to remain in location for the switch to be triggered and for the heater to operate.


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


Shut the power off. Preparation the blower door. Wire the security switch. Examine and check the installation.





Keep the location around your heating system tidy and unobstructed


This might appear like an obvious tip however in some cases homeowners with busy lives forget to focus on locations of their home like the basement.


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


Prevent saving flammable compounds or materials near your heating system. Crowding your heater can cause unexpected fires substantial damage to your home and danger to your household and family pets.


However hassle-free it may appear to simply "keep it there" for the summertime consider the chance that you might well forget any products youve left on or near your furnace. Dont take possibilities give your heater the space it needs to run securely.


Furthermore vacuum and tidy regularly around your heating system. While you may have removed any and all combustible items from the area bear in mind that dust and lint can develop up and develop a fire danger. An excess amount of dust and lint can likewise cause your filter to become stopped up earlier than typical needing more regular replacement.