Furnace Company Brooklyn Portland Oregon

When to fix routine HVAC issues



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


Its one thing if you simply require to pull the covers up. Its an entire different 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 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 understanding to deal with some heating system repairs.



Whether you have a traditional gas heater or a high performance gas heater understanding how your furnace/heating system works is necessary. You need to understand the fundamental operations of the appliance so you understand what to search for when there is something wrong.




Examine your thermostat to make sure it is turned on.



It might sound silly but check the thermostat to guarantee it is set on "heat" which it is set at least 5 degrees above space temperature level. You might be surprised 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 may need to alter the batteries on your thermostat. If your houses thermostat system operates on batteries make certain you are changing them at least when a year or as required.


Some thermostats are wired to the houses electrical system while others use batteries. How is yours powered? In some cases those that utilize batteries will flash a low-battery sign when they require a replacement.


Open the thermostat and carefully blow any dust or particles that may have obstructed it.


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


Inspect 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 variety of minor reasons that this might happen. First confirm that the thermostat is set to "Heat." Then attempt moving the dial up or down a couple of degrees to inspect if a noticeable distinction is felt.


If there is no outcome check to see if possibly 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 thrown to the "Off" position or whether its in the middle.


By hand evaluate the breaker. Turn it back and forth.


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 circuitry in the circuit or the breaker itself.



The heating system is not producing enough heat. Inspect and change a clogged up filter.


A furnace that struggles to produce heat is a various matter from one that has in some way stopped working.


When it comes to a poor-performing heating system that does not heat the home sufficiently very first make sure that the air filter is tidy and in great condition if not brand-new.


This is an easy but important part of furnace upkeep. One of the most common reasons to have a furnace not working is a blocked filter. It likewise happens to be the simplest upkeep chore.


Changing your heater filter regularly is a quick and basic task and goes a long method in securing HVAC parts and improving your inside air quality.


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



Check your filter - You can tell if the time has actually pertained to alter it by holding it approximately the light. If no light shines through the filter needs changing. A dusty filthy odor from the vents when the blower switches on is another excellent sign you should alter your furnace filter.


Change your filter - Make sure your furnace is shut 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 effectiveness.


Cleaning up the debris that develops up on your filters will aid with the circulation of air. When your air filter is blocked your air handler must work more difficult to make up for the blockage of air circulation. In addition to increasing your energy costs the reduced air circulation through your cooling and heating system can cause your heat exchanger to get too hot and turn off too quickly.


Filters clean up the air headed into the furnace and the heated air returned into the house. A dirty stopped up filter limits the airflow eventually causing heat and pressure to build up in the heater.


Newer more efficient heating systems are sensitive to the problem and will typically close down before a filthy filter causes more trouble. For other systems the heater will continue to run but with less heat output and minimized performance.




Safety switch on a heater door


If your heating system is not operating one of the very first things you ought to do is inspect the safety turn on the furnace door. A heating system door safety switch avoids the fan and burner from coming on while the access panel is gotten rid of.


Furnaces have a security switch that pops out when the door is gotten rid of. The door must be in location for the switch to be activated and for the heater to operate.


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


Shut the power off. Preparation the blower door. Wire the security switch. Examine and test the installation.





Keep the location around your heater tidy and unobstructed


This might look like an apparent idea however sometimes homeowners with busy lives forget to pay attention to locations of their home like the basement.


A basement can become chaotic which in turn can lead to the area around the furnace being filled with miscellaneous ownerships and particles. Not just does a tidy furnace function much better it looks much better.


Prevent keeping combustible compounds or materials near your furnace. Crowding your furnace can result in unexpected fires substantial damage to your house and danger to your household and family pets.


Nevertheless convenient it may appear to merely "save it there" for the summer think about the possibility that you might well forget any products youve left on or near your furnace. Dont take chances offer your heating system the space it needs to run securely.


Furthermore vacuum and clean frequently around your heating system. While you might have removed any and all combustible products from the location keep in mind that dust and lint can build up and create a fire hazard. An excess amount of dust and lint can likewise cause your filter to become clogged earlier than typical needing more regular replacement.

Brooklyn is a mostly residential neighborhood in southeast Portland, Oregon. It sits along the east side of the Willamette River in the vicinity of Reed College.


Area: 576 acres