Furnace Company North Tabor Portland Oregon

How to fix typical heating and cooling problems



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


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


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


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



Whether you have a traditional gas furnace or a high performance gas heater understanding how your furnace/heating system works is essential. You need to understand the basic workings of the device so you know what to try to find when there is something incorrect.




Examine your thermostat to ensure it is turned on.



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


Here are a couple of thermostat checks to perform yourself:


Examine the battery on the thermostat. You might need to alter the batteries on your thermostat. If your homes thermostat system runs on batteries make sure you are changing them at least as soon as a year or as required.


Some thermostats are wired to the houses electrical system while others use batteries. How is yours powered? Often 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 might have blocked it.


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


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




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


Here are any variety of minor reasons this might occur. Initially verify that the thermostat is set to "Heat." Then attempt moving the dial up or down a couple of degrees to inspect if a visible difference is felt.


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



Go to your houses breaker panel and try to find the circuit that controls the heating system. Youre wanting 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 not do the trick you have a problem with either the circuitry in the circuit or the circuit breaker itself.



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


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


In the case of a poor-performing heating system that doesnt warm the house sufficiently first guarantee that the air filter is clean and in excellent condition if not new.


This is a basic however necessary part of heater maintenance. Among the most common reasons to have a furnace not working is a stopped up filter. It likewise takes place to be the simplest upkeep task.


Changing your heating system filter frequently is a fast and simple task and goes a long way in safeguarding HVAC components and enhancing your inside air quality.


Find your filter - Some furnaces have their filter in the consumption. This most likely appear like a grate in a flooring ceiling or wall. Other filters reside in the furnace itself.



Inspect your filter - You can tell if the time has actually come to alter it by holding it up to the light. If no light shines through the filter needs altering. A dirty filthy odor from the vents when the blower turns on is another good sign you need to change your furnace filter.


Change your filter - Make sure your furnace is turned off. No air needs 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 effectiveness.


Cleaning up the particles that develops on your filters will assist with the flow of air. When your air filter is blocked your air handler should work harder to compensate for the blockage of air flow. In addition to increasing your utility costs the decreased air flow through your heating and cooling system can trigger your heat exchanger to get too hot and turn off too quickly.


Filters clean up the air headed into the heater and the heated air sent back into your home. A dirty clogged up filter restricts the air flow eventually causing heat and pressure to develop up in the heater.


Newer more efficient heating systems are sensitive to the issue and will typically close down before an unclean filter triggers more difficulty. For other systems the furnace will continue to run but with less heat output and decreased efficiency.




Safety switch on a heater door


If your heating system is not running one of the first things you must do is inspect the safety switch on the heating system door. A heating system 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 must remain in location for the switch to be activated and for the heating system 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. Examine and evaluate the setup.





Keep the area around your heater tidy and unblocked


This might seem like an obvious pointer however often property owners with hectic lives forget to take note of locations of their home like the basement.


A basement can become chaotic which in turn can result in the area around the furnace being filled with various possessions and particles. Not just does a clean heater function much better it looks better.


Avoid storing flammable substances or materials near your heating system. Crowding your heating system can lead to unexpected fires considerable damage to your house and risk to your household and family pets.


Nevertheless convenient it may appear to merely "store it there" for the summer think about the possibility that you may well forget any items youve left on or near your heating system. Do not take opportunities provide your heater the room it requires to operate safely.


In addition vacuum and tidy routinely around your heating system. While you might have gotten rid of any and all flammable products from the area bear in mind that dust and lint can develop and develop a fire danger. An excess quantity of dust and lint can likewise cause your filter to become stopped up earlier than typical needing more regular replacement.

North Tabor Neighborhood in Portland, Oregon, United States, is on the east side of the Willamette River on the northern slope of Mount Tabor. The Banfield Expressway forms its northern boundary, separating it from the Hollywood District, Rose City Park, and Madison South neighborhoods to the north.


Area: 371 acres