Air Conditioner Maintenance Arlington Heights Portland Oregon

Why to solve common heating & cooling breakdowns



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 covers up. Its a whole various concern if your heating system is working improperly or not operating at all.


With a little do-it-yourself experience you can fix and repair your heater yourself. Your finest bet though is to have a maintenance check list for your heater to prevent the issue.


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



Whether you have a standard gas furnace or a high effectiveness gas heating system understanding how your furnace/heating system works is essential. You require to understand the fundamental workings of the device so you understand what to try to find when there is something wrong.




Inspect your thermostat to make sure it is switched on.



It may sound silly however inspect the thermostat to ensure it is set on "heat" and that it is set at least 5 degrees above space temperature. You may be shocked how numerous service calls are made without checking this!


Here are a couple of thermostat checks to conduct yourself:


Check the battery on the thermostat. You might need to change the batteries on your thermostat. If your homes thermostat system runs on batteries make certain you are changing them at least when a year or as needed.


Some thermostats are wired to your houses electrical system while others utilize batteries. How is yours powered? Sometimes 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 might have obstructed it.


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


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




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


Here are any number of minor reasons that this could happen. First confirm that the thermostat is set to "Heat." Then attempt moving the dial up or down a few degrees to inspect if an obvious 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 houses breaker panel and try to find the circuit that controls 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 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 an issue with either the circuitry in the circuit or the circuit breaker itself.



The furnace is not producing sufficient heat. Examine and change a blocked filter.


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


When it comes to a poor-performing furnace that doesnt heat the house adequately very first ensure that the air filter is clean and in excellent condition if not brand-new.


This is a basic however crucial part of heating system upkeep. Among the most common factors to have a heating system not working is a blocked filter. It also takes place to be the most convenient upkeep chore.


Replacing your furnace filter regularly is a fast and basic task and goes a long method in safeguarding HVAC components and enhancing your inside air quality.


Locate your filter - Some heating systems have their filter in the consumption. This more than likely appearances like a grate in a flooring ceiling or wall. Other filters reside in the heater itself.



Check your filter - You can inform if the time has actually concerned alter it by holding it as much as the light. If no light shines through the filter needs altering. A dirty unclean odor from the vents when the blower turns on is another good sign you must change your furnace filter.


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


Cleaning up the particles that develops on your filters will assist with the flow of air. When your air filter is blocked your air handler must work harder to compensate for the clog of air circulation. In addition to increasing your utility bill the minimized air circulation through your heating & cooling system can cause your heat exchanger to overheat and shut off too quickly.


Filters clean the air headed into the furnace and the heated air sent out back into the home. A dirty clogged up filter limits the airflow ultimately causing heat and pressure to develop in the heating system.


Newer more effective heaters are sensitive to the issue and will often close down before an unclean filter causes more difficulty. For other systems the heater will continue to run however with less heat output and decreased efficiency.




Safety switch on a furnace door


If your heating system is not running among the first things you must do is examine the safety turn on the heating system door. A furnace 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 gotten rid of. The door needs to remain in location for the switch to be activated and for the heater to run.


If you discover you require to set up a brand-new safety switch follow the step by step guidelines on How to Install a Furnace Door Safety Switch.


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





Keep the area around your furnace tidy and unblocked


This may appear like an obvious pointer however often homeowners with hectic lives forget to take note of areas of their home like the basement.


A basement can end up being cluttered which in turn can lead to the location around the furnace being filled with miscellaneous ownerships and particles. Not just does a clean furnace function better it looks much better.


Prevent keeping combustible substances or materials near your heating system. Crowding your heater can lead to unexpected fires substantial damage to your home and threat to your family and animals.


Nevertheless hassle-free it may appear to merely "store it there" for the summertime consider the opportunity that you may well forget any items youve left on or near your heater. Dont take possibilities offer your heater the space it needs to run safely.


In addition vacuum and clean regularly around your heater. While you might have gotten rid of any and all flammable items from the location 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 sooner than typical needing more frequent replacement.