Air Conditioner Maintenance Mt. Tabor Portland Oregon

How to repair typical HVAC complications



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


Its something if you just require to pull the conceal. Its a whole different concern if your heater is working improperly or not working at all.


With a little diy experience you can repair and fix your heater yourself. Your best choice though is to have an upkeep check list for your heating system to prevent the issue.


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



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




Check your thermostat to ensure it is switched on.



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


Here are a few thermostat checks to perform yourself:


Inspect the battery on the thermostat. You might need to alter the batteries on your thermostat. If your homes thermostat unit operates on batteries make sure 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? 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 debris that might have blocked it.


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


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




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


Here are any number of minor reasons this might happen. First confirm that the thermostat is set to "Heat." Then try moving the dial up or down a few degrees to examine if an obvious 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 heater. Youre seeking to see whether its tossed to the "Off" position or whether its in the middle.


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


Make sure 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 breaker itself.



The heater is not producing sufficient heat. Check and change a clogged filter.


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


In the case of a poor-performing heating system that does not warm the house sufficiently first ensure that the air filter is clean and in excellent condition if not new.


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


Changing your furnace filter routinely is a quick and basic task and goes a long way in protecting HVAC parts and enhancing your inside air quality.


Locate your filter - Some heaters have their filter in the intake. This more than likely appear like a grate in a flooring ceiling or wall. Other filters live in the furnace itself.



Inspect your filter - You can tell if the time has actually come to alter it by holding it as much as the light. If no light shines through the filter requires changing. A dusty filthy smell from the vents when the blower switches on is another great sign you ought to change your furnace filter.


Replace your filter - Make sure your heater is shut off. No air needs 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 lower its effectiveness.


Cleaning the particles that develops on your filters will assist with the circulation of air. When your air filter is clogged your air handler should work more difficult to make up for the blockage of air circulation. In addition to increasing your energy bill the decreased air circulation through your heating & cooling system can trigger your heat exchanger to get too hot and shut down too rapidly.


Filters clean the air headed into the heating system and the heated air returned into the house. A dirty clogged filter limits the air flow eventually causing heat and pressure to develop up in the heater.


Newer more effective heating systems are sensitive to the issue and will typically shut down prior to a dirty filter causes more difficulty. For other units the heating system will continue to run however with less heat output and decreased efficiency.




Safety switch on a heating system door


If your heating system is not running among the very first things you should do is inspect the safety switch on the heater door. A heating system door safety switch prevents the fan and burner from coming on while the access panel is removed.


Heating systems have a safety switch that pops out when the door is removed. The door must be in location for the switch to be activated and for the heating system to operate.


If you find you need to set up a brand-new security switch follow the action by action directions on How to Install a Furnace Door Safety Switch.


Shut the power off. Prep the blower door. Wire the security switch. Check and evaluate the installation.





Keep the area around your heating system tidy and unobstructed


This might appear like an apparent pointer but sometimes property owners with busy lives forget to pay attention to areas of their house like the basement.


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


Avoid storing combustible compounds or materials near your furnace. Crowding your heating system can result in unanticipated fires significant damage to your house and risk to your family and family pets.


However hassle-free it may seem to just "keep it there" for the summer season consider the chance that you may well forget any items youve left on or near your heater. Dont take opportunities provide your heater the space it requires to operate safely.


In addition vacuum and clean regularly around your heater. While you might have gotten rid of any and all combustible items from the location bear in mind that dust and lint can develop up and produce a fire danger. An excess quantity of dust and lint can also cause your filter to become blocked earlier than normal needing more regular replacement.