Air Conditioner Maintenance Sunnyside Portland Oregon

How to solve common heating system issues



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


Its one thing if you simply require to pull the cover. Its a whole various problem if your heating system is working badly or not operating at all.


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


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 heater or a high effectiveness gas heating system comprehending how your furnace/heating system works is crucial. You need to understand the basic functions of the device so you understand what to search for when there is something wrong.




Inspect your thermostat to ensure it is switched on.



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


Here are a few thermostat checks to conduct yourself:


Examine the battery on the thermostat. You may need to alter the batteries on your thermostat. If your houses thermostat system runs on batteries make certain you are changing them a minimum of as soon as 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 sign when they require a replacement.


Open the thermostat and carefully blow any dust or debris that might have clogged it.


Make sure the date and time is correct 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 furnace.




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


Here are any variety of small reasons this might take place. First verify that the thermostat is set to "Heat." Then try moving the dial up or down a few degrees to inspect if a visible distinction is felt.


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



Go to your houses breaker panel and search for the circuit that controls the furnace. Youre aiming to see whether its tossed to the "Off" position or whether its in the middle.


Manually test the breaker. Turn it backward and forward.


Make sure it is remaining in the "On" position.


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



The furnace is not producing adequate heat. Inspect and alter a blocked filter.


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


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


This is an easy but crucial part of heater upkeep. Among the most common factors to have a heater not working is a clogged filter. It likewise happens to be the simplest maintenance task.


Replacing your heating system filter regularly is a fast and basic task and goes a long method in protecting HVAC elements and enhancing your inside air quality.


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



Check your filter - You can tell if the time has come to change it by holding it up to the light. If no light shines through the filter requires changing. A dirty filthy smell from the vents when the blower turns on is another good indication 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 direction. Installing your filter upside-down can lower its efficiency.


Cleaning the particles that builds up on your filters will aid with the flow of air. When your air filter is obstructed your air handler need to work harder to compensate for the clog of air flow. In addition to increasing your energy bill the lowered air circulation through your heating & cooling system can cause your heat exchanger to get too hot and shut down too rapidly.


Filters clean up the air headed into the furnace and the heated air sent out back into the home. A dirty stopped up filter limits the airflow eventually triggering heat and pressure to develop in the furnace.


Newer more efficient furnaces are sensitive to the problem and will often shut down before an unclean filter causes more problem. For other units the heater will continue to run however with less heat output and minimized effectiveness.




Safety switch on a heating system door


If your heating system is not operating one of the first things you need to do is inspect the security turn on the heating system door. A furnace door security switch prevents the fan and burner from beginning while the gain access to panel is eliminated.


Heating systems have a security switch that pops out when the door is eliminated. The door needs to be in location for the switch to be triggered and for the heating system to operate.


If you find you require to set up a new safety switch follow the step by action guidelines 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 area around your heating system tidy and unblocked


This may appear like an apparent suggestion but in some cases property owners with busy lives forget to pay attention to locations of their home like the basement.


A basement can become chaotic which in turn can cause the location around the heater being filled with various possessions and particles. Not only does a clean heating system function better it looks better.


Avoid keeping combustible compounds or products near your heating system. Crowding your furnace can result in unforeseen fires significant damage to your house and danger to your family and pets.


However convenient it might seem to simply "store it there" for the summertime think about the possibility that you may well forget any products youve left on or near your furnace. Do not take chances provide your furnace the room it requires to operate securely.


Additionally vacuum and tidy frequently around your heater. While you might have gotten rid of any and all combustible products from the location keep in mind that dust and lint can develop and produce a fire threat. An excess quantity of dust and lint can likewise cause your filter to become clogged faster than typical needing more frequent replacement.