Furnace Company Madison South Portland Oregon

Why to fix typical furnace breakdowns



There is absolutely nothing worse than awakening cold in the middle of the night.


Its one thing if you simply need to pull the covers up. Its a whole different problem if your heater is working badly or not operating at all.


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


Today I have something that will make you seem like you have the knowledge to take on some heater repairs.



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




Examine your thermostat to make certain it is switched on.



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


Here are a few thermostat checks to perform yourself:


Examine the battery on the thermostat. You may need to alter the batteries on your thermostat. If your houses thermostat unit operates on batteries be sure you are altering them a minimum of once a year or as required.


Some thermostats are wired to your 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 gently blow any dust or debris that may have blocked it.


Ensure the date and time is correct on electronic or programmable designs - the system may be on a timer.


Inspect the breaker. If on turn off the breaker and check the fuse for the heater.




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


Here are any number of minor reasons this might take place. First confirm that the thermostat is set to "Heat." Then attempt 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 perhaps a circuit breaker or fuse was tripped or blown.



Go to your homes breaker panel and look for the circuit that controls the heater. Youre wanting to see whether its tossed to the "Off" position or whether its in the middle.


By hand check the breaker. Turn it backward and forward.


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


This will reset the breaker. If this does not do 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 clogged filter.


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


When it comes to a poor-performing furnace that does not warm the home adequately very first guarantee that the air filter is tidy and in good condition if not brand-new.


This is a basic however necessary part of heater maintenance. Among the most typical factors to have a furnace not working is a blocked filter. It also takes place to be the most convenient upkeep task.


Replacing your furnace filter routinely is a fast and simple job and goes a long method in securing HVAC elements and enhancing your inside air quality.


Locate your filter - Some heaters have their filter in the intake. This more than likely appearances like a grate in a flooring ceiling or wall. Other filters live in the heater itself.



Examine your filter - You can inform if the time has actually come to change it by holding it approximately 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 good indication you should alter your heating system filter.


Replace your filter - Make sure your heating system is shut off. No air should be coming out. Check the direction your filter points. Filters are made to trap matter blown from one direction. Installing your filter upside-down can decrease its efficiency.


Cleaning up the debris that develops on your filters will aid with the flow of air. When your air filter is obstructed your air handler must work more difficult to make up for the obstruction of air flow. In addition to driving up your energy expense the minimized air circulation through your cooling and heating system can trigger your heat exchanger to get too hot and shut off too quickly.


Filters clean the air headed into the heating system and the heated air returned into your home. A filthy stopped up filter restricts the airflow ultimately triggering heat and pressure to build up in the heating system.


Newer more efficient heating systems are delicate to the problem and will typically close down before a dirty filter causes more difficulty. For other systems the furnace will continue to run however with less heat output and reduced effectiveness.




Security turn on a heater door


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


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


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


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





Keep the location around your furnace clean and unblocked


This may seem like an obvious idea however sometimes homeowners with hectic lives forget to pay attention to locations of their house like the basement.


A basement can become messy which in turn can cause the location around the furnace being filled with miscellaneous belongings and debris. Not only does a clean heating system function much better it looks better.


Prevent saving flammable compounds or products near your furnace. Crowding your heater can lead to unanticipated fires substantial damage to your home and danger to your household and animals.


Nevertheless convenient it may seem to just "keep it there" for the summer think about the chance that you might well forget any items youve left on or near your furnace. Dont take opportunities offer your heating system the space it requires to operate securely.


Additionally vacuum and clean regularly around your heating system. While you might have gotten rid of any and all combustible products from the area keep in mind that dust and lint can construct up and create a fire threat. An excess quantity of dust and lint can likewise trigger your filter to become clogged sooner than normal requiring more frequent replacement.

Down-to-earth Madison South is noted for The Grotto, a cliffside Catholic sanctuary with tranquil botanical gardens, caves, and ponds dotted with religious artworks. Rocky Butte Natural Area offers hiking trails and city panoramas, while tree-lined Rose City Golf Course has narrow fairways and mountain glimpses, plus a heritage clubhouse. Fast-food joints and casual Mexican eateries dot 82nd Avenue. ― Google


Area: 1.5 mi²