Air Conditioner Maintenance Reed Portland Oregon

Why to solve common HVAC problems



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


Its one thing if you simply require to pull the cover. Its an entire different concern if your heater is working inadequately or not operating at all.


With a little do-it-yourself experience you can troubleshoot and repair your furnace yourself. Your best option though is to have an upkeep check list for your heating unit to avoid the issue.


Today I have something that will make you feel like you have the understanding to take on some furnace repair work.



Whether you have a standard gas heater or a high efficiency gas furnace understanding how your furnace/heating system works is necessary. You require to comprehend the basic workings of the device so you know what to search for when there is something incorrect.




Examine your thermostat to make certain it is switched on.



It might sound ridiculous however examine the thermostat to guarantee it is set on "heat" and that it is set at least 5 degrees above space temperature level. You may be shocked the number of service calls are made without examining this!


Here are a couple of thermostat checks to perform yourself:


Examine the battery on the thermostat. You may require to change the batteries on your thermostat. If your houses thermostat system operates on batteries be sure you are changing them at least when a year or as required.


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


Open the thermostat and gently blow any dust or particles that might have obstructed it.


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


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




Heating system is not producing heat - attempt to reset the Circuit Breaker


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


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



Go to your houses breaker panel and try to find the circuit that manages the heating system. Youre wanting to see whether its tossed to the "Off" position or whether its in the middle.


By hand evaluate the breaker. Flip it backward and forward.


Ensure it is staying in the "On" position.


This will reset the breaker. If this does refrain from doing the technique you have a problem with either the wiring in the circuit or the breaker itself.



The heating system is not producing sufficient heat. Check and alter a clogged up filter.


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


When it comes to a poor-performing furnace that doesnt heat up the house adequately very first make sure that the air filter is tidy and in great condition if not new.


This is a basic however important part of heating system upkeep. Among the most common factors to have a heating system not working is a blocked filter. It also occurs to be the simplest maintenance task.


Changing your heater filter routinely 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 heaters have their filter in the intake. This most likely looks like a grate in a floor ceiling or wall. Other filters reside in the heating system 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 dirty dirty odor from the vents when the blower switches on is another good sign you must alter your heater filter.


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


Cleaning up the particles that develops on your filters will help with the flow of air. When your air filter is blocked your air handler need to work more difficult to make up for the obstruction of air circulation. In addition to driving up your utility costs the minimized air circulation through your cooling and heating 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 returned into your house. A dirty stopped up filter restricts the air flow eventually triggering heat and pressure to build up in the heating system.


Newer more effective heaters are delicate to the problem and will often shut down prior to a dirty filter causes more trouble. For other systems the heating system will continue to run however with less heat output and reduced effectiveness.




Security switch on a heater door


If your heating system is not operating among the first things you must do is examine the security turn on the heating system door. A furnace door security switch prevents the fan and burner from coming on while the gain access to panel is eliminated.


Heating systems have a security switch that pops out when the door is gotten rid of. The door must remain in location for the switch to be triggered and for the furnace to operate.


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


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





Keep the area around your furnace clean and unobstructed


This might look like an apparent suggestion however often house owners with busy lives forget to pay attention to locations of their house like the basement.


A basement can become cluttered which in turn can result in the location around the furnace being filled with miscellaneous ownerships and particles. Not only does a tidy heater function much better it looks much better.


Prevent keeping flammable substances or products near your heating system. Crowding your heater can cause unforeseen fires substantial damage to your house and risk to your household and family pets.


However hassle-free it might seem to just "save it there" for the summer season think about the opportunity that you may well forget any items youve left on or near your heating system. Do not take chances give your furnace the space it needs to run securely.


Additionally vacuum and clean routinely around your heater. While you might have eliminated any and all combustible products from the location bear in mind that dust and lint can develop up and produce a fire threat. An excess quantity of dust and lint can likewise cause your filter to become clogged up sooner than usual needing more regular replacement.