Air Conditioner Maintenance Parkrose Portland Oregon

How to solve common heating system breakdowns



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


Its something if you just require to pull the cover. Its a whole various issue if your heating system is working poorly or not working at all.


With a little do-it-yourself experience you can troubleshoot and repair your heating system 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 deal with some furnace repairs.



Whether you have a standard gas heating system or a high efficiency gas furnace understanding how your furnace/heating system works is important. You require to understand the fundamental operations of the home appliance so you understand what to look for when there is something incorrect.




Check your thermostat to make sure it is turned 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 room temperature level. You might be shocked the number of service calls are made without inspecting this!


Here are a few thermostat checks to conduct yourself:


Check the battery on the thermostat. You might require to change the batteries on your thermostat. If your houses thermostat unit runs on batteries be sure you are altering them a minimum of as soon as a year or as needed.


Some thermostats are wired to the houses electrical system while others use batteries. How is yours powered? Often those that use 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 sure the date and time is proper on electronic or programmable designs - the system might be on a timer.


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




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


Here are any number of small reasons this might occur. Initially confirm that the thermostat is set to "Heat." Then try moving the dial up or down a few degrees to inspect if a visible 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 manages the furnace. Youre wanting to see whether its tossed to the "Off" position or whether its in the middle.


Manually evaluate the breaker. Turn it backward and forward.


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 electrical wiring in the circuit or the breaker itself.



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


A heater that has a hard time to produce heat is a different matter from one that has in some way stopped working.


When it comes to a poor-performing heater that does not heat the house sufficiently very first guarantee that the air filter is clean and in excellent condition if not brand-new.


This is an easy however important part of furnace upkeep. Among the most common factors to have a heating system not working is a clogged up filter. It also happens to be the most convenient upkeep task.


Replacing your heater filter regularly is a quick and simple task and goes a long way in securing HVAC parts and improving your inside air quality.


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



Inspect your filter - You can inform if the time has concerned change it by holding it as much as the light. If no light shines through the filter needs changing. A dirty unclean smell from the vents when the blower switches on is another good indication you must change your heating system filter.


Replace your filter - Make sure your heater is shut off. No air should be coming out. Inspect the instructions your filter points. Filters are made to trap matter blown from one direction. Installing your filter upside-down can reduce its effectiveness.


Cleaning the debris that develops on your filters will assist with the flow of air. When your air filter is clogged your air handler must work harder to make up for the blockage of air flow. In addition to driving up your energy bill the decreased air flow through your heating & cooling system can cause your heat exchanger to overheat and turn off too rapidly.


Filters clean the air headed into the heating system and the heated air returned into your home. An unclean clogged filter restricts the air flow eventually triggering heat and pressure to develop in the heating system.


Newer more effective furnaces are sensitive to the problem and will often close down prior to a dirty filter causes more trouble. For other units the furnace will continue to run however with less heat output and reduced efficiency.




Safety turn on a heater door


If your heater is not operating one of the first things you must do is examine the security switch on the furnace door. A furnace door security switch avoids the fan and burner from coming on while the gain access to panel is eliminated.


Heaters have a safety switch that pops out when the door is gotten rid of. The door must remain in location for the switch to be activated and for the heating system to run.


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


Shut the power off. Preparation the blower door. Wire the safety switch. Check and evaluate the installation.





Keep the location around your heating system clean and unblocked


This might look like an apparent pointer however in some cases property owners with hectic lives forget to take notice of areas of their home like the basement.


A basement can end up being cluttered which in turn can cause the location around the heating system being filled with various ownerships and particles. Not just does a clean furnace function better it looks better.


Prevent storing combustible substances or materials near your furnace. Crowding your heating system can cause unexpected fires substantial damage to your house and threat to your household and family pets.


However practical it might seem to merely "keep it there" for the summertime consider the opportunity that you may well forget any products youve left on or near your heater. Dont take possibilities provide your furnace the space it needs to operate securely.


In addition vacuum and tidy frequently around your heating system. While you may have eliminated any and all combustible items from the area remember that dust and lint can develop and develop a fire threat. An excess amount of dust and lint can also trigger your filter to become clogged up faster than normal requiring more frequent replacement.