Furnace Company Collins View Portland Oregon

How to repair typical heating system breakdowns



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


Its one thing if you just require to pull the covers up. Its a whole various issue if your heater is working badly or not operating at all.


With a little do-it-yourself experience you can repair and fix your heating system yourself. Your best choice though is to have a maintenance check list for your heating unit to prevent the problem.


Today I have something that will make you seem like you have the understanding to take on some heating system repair work.



Whether you have a conventional gas heater or a high efficiency gas heating system understanding how your furnace/heating system works is very important. You need to understand the basic operations of the device so you understand what to search for when there is something incorrect.




Examine your thermostat to make sure it is turned on.



It might sound ridiculous but inspect the thermostat to ensure it is set on "heat" and that it is set at least 5 degrees above space temperature. You may be surprised how numerous service calls are made without inspecting this!


Here are a few thermostat checks to perform yourself:


Check the battery on the thermostat. You might require to change the batteries on your thermostat. If your homes thermostat unit operates on batteries make certain you are changing them at least once a year or as required.


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


Open the thermostat and carefully blow any dust or particles that might have blocked it.


Make certain the date and time is proper 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.




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


Here are any number of minor reasons that this might take place. Initially confirm that the thermostat is set to "Heat." Then try moving the dial up or down a few degrees to check if a noticeable distinction is felt.


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



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


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


Ensure it is remaining 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 circuit breaker itself.



The heating system is not producing sufficient heat. Inspect and alter a stopped up filter.


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


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


This is a basic but vital part of heating system upkeep. Among the most typical reasons to have a heater not working is a clogged filter. It likewise takes place to be the easiest maintenance task.


Replacing your heater filter regularly is a quick and easy job and goes a long way in securing HVAC components and improving your inside air quality.


Locate your filter - Some heaters have their filter in the intake. This probably looks like a grate in a flooring ceiling or wall. Other filters reside in the heater itself.



Check your filter - You can tell if the time has concerned alter it by holding it as much as the light. If no light shines through the filter requires changing. A dirty filthy odor from the vents when the blower switches on is another great sign you need to change your furnace filter.


Replace your filter - Make sure your heater is switched 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 decrease its effectiveness.


Cleaning up the debris that develops on your filters will help with the circulation of air. When your air filter is obstructed your air handler should work harder to compensate for the blockage of air circulation. In addition to driving up your energy costs the minimized air circulation through your heating and cooling system can cause your heat exchanger to get too hot and turn off too quickly.


Filters clean the air headed into the heating system and the heated air returned into the house. An unclean clogged up filter restricts the air flow eventually causing heat and pressure to construct up in the heating system.


Newer more efficient furnaces are delicate to the issue and will often shut down prior to an unclean filter causes more trouble. For other units the heater will continue to run but with less heat output and minimized performance.




Safety turn on a heater door


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


Furnaces have a security switch that pops out when the door is removed. The door should remain in place for the switch to be activated and for the heater to run.


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


Shut the power off. Prep the blower door. Wire the safety switch. Check and test the setup.





Keep the location around your heating system clean and unobstructed


This might appear like an obvious pointer however sometimes property owners with busy lives forget to pay attention to locations of their house like the basement.


A basement can become messy which in turn can result in the area around the heater being filled with various belongings and particles. Not only does a tidy heater function much better it looks better.


Avoid saving combustible substances or materials near your heater. Crowding your heating system can cause unexpected fires considerable damage to your home and danger to your family and family pets.


However practical it might appear to simply "store it there" for the summer season consider the opportunity that you may well forget any items youve left on or near your furnace. Dont take opportunities offer your furnace the space it requires to operate securely.


In addition vacuum and tidy routinely around your heater. While you might have removed any and all flammable products from the area keep in mind that dust and lint can construct up and develop a fire risk. An excess amount of dust and lint can also cause your filter to end up being stopped up quicker than usual needing more frequent replacement.

Collins View is a neighborhood in the Southwest section of Portland, Oregon. It borders the neighborhoods of Marshall Park and Arnold Creek to the west, Tryon Creek State Natural Area to the south, ...


Area: 557 acres