Air Conditioner Maintenance Lambert Gardens Portland Oregon

When to repair common HVAC breakdowns



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


Its something if you just require to pull the cover. Its a whole various concern if your furnace is working badly or not working at all.


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


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



Whether you have a conventional gas furnace or a high effectiveness gas furnace comprehending how your furnace/heating system works is necessary. You need to understand the basic functions of the home appliance so you understand what to try to find when there is something incorrect.




Check your thermostat to make sure it is turned on.



It might sound silly however check the thermostat to guarantee it is set on "heat" and that it is set at least 5 degrees above space temperature. You may be stunned how numerous service calls are made without inspecting this!


Here are a few thermostat checks to conduct yourself:


Check the battery on the thermostat. You may need to change the batteries on your thermostat. If your homes thermostat unit operates on batteries make sure you are changing them a minimum of when a year or as required.


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


Open the thermostat and gently blow any dust or debris that may have blocked it.


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


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




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


Here are any number of small reasons why this could take place. First validate that the thermostat is set to "Heat." Then try moving the dial up or down a couple of degrees to check if an obvious difference is felt.


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



Go to your houses breaker panel and try to find the circuit that controls the heater. Youre looking to see whether its tossed to the "Off" position or whether its in the middle.


Manually check the breaker. Flip it backward and forward.


Ensure it is remaining in the "On" position.


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



The heating system is not producing enough heat. Inspect and alter a stopped up filter.


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


In the case of a poor-performing furnace that does not heat the home sufficiently first guarantee that the air filter is clean and in good condition if not brand-new.


This is an easy but important part of heating system upkeep. One of the most common factors to have a furnace not working is a clogged filter. It likewise occurs to be the easiest maintenance task.


Replacing your heating system filter frequently is a fast and easy job and goes a long way in securing HVAC elements and enhancing your inside air quality.


Locate your filter - Some furnaces have their filter in the consumption. This most likely looks like a grate in a floor ceiling or wall. Other filters live in the heater itself.



Check your filter - You can inform if the time has concerned change it by holding it up to the light. If no light shines through the filter needs altering. A dusty dirty odor from the vents when the blower turns on is another excellent indication you should change your heater filter.


Replace your filter - Make sure your heating system is turned off. No air must be coming out. Check the direction 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 debris that develops 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 circulation. In addition to increasing your energy expense the reduced air circulation through your cooling and heating system can trigger your heat exchanger to overheat and turn off too quickly.


Filters clean up the air headed into the furnace and the heated air sent back into your house. A dirty clogged filter restricts the airflow ultimately causing heat and pressure to develop in the furnace.


Newer more efficient heating systems are delicate to the issue and will frequently close down before a dirty filter causes more difficulty. For other units the heating system will continue to run but with less heat output and decreased effectiveness.




Safety switch on a heating system door


If your heating system is not running one of the first things you must do is check the security switch on the heater door. A heating system door security switch avoids the fan and burner from beginning while the access panel is gotten rid of.


Heaters have a safety switch that pops out when the door is removed. The door needs to remain in place for the switch to be activated and for the heating system to operate.


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


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





Keep the location around your heater tidy and unobstructed


This may look like an obvious suggestion but often house owners with hectic lives forget to take notice of areas of their home like the basement.


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


Avoid storing combustible compounds or materials near your heating system. Crowding your heating system can lead to unforeseen fires considerable damage to your home and threat to your household and pets.


However practical it may seem to simply "save it there" for the summer season think about the opportunity that you may well forget any items youve left on or near your furnace. Do not take opportunities offer your heater the room it needs to operate securely.


In addition vacuum and clean regularly around your heater. While you may have removed any and all combustible items from the area bear in mind that dust and lint can develop and create a fire risk. An excess amount of dust and lint can likewise trigger your filter to end up being stopped up quicker than normal requiring more frequent replacement.