HVAC Financing Brentwood-Darlington Portland Oregon

How to fix common HVAC issues



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


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


With a little diy experience you can troubleshoot and fix your heater yourself. Your best option though is to have an upkeep check list for your heater to avoid the problem.


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



Whether you have a conventional gas heating system or a high effectiveness gas heating system comprehending how your furnace/heating system works is important. You require to understand the fundamental workings of the device so you know what to search for when there is something wrong.




Check your thermostat to make certain it is turned on.



It might sound ridiculous but examine the thermostat to ensure it is set on "heat" and that it is set at least 5 degrees above space temperature level. You may be stunned the number of service calls are made without examining this!


Here are a few thermostat checks to perform yourself:


Check the battery on the thermostat. You may require to change the batteries on your thermostat. If your houses thermostat system works on batteries be sure you are altering them at least when a year or as needed.


Some thermostats are wired to your homes electrical system while others use batteries. How is yours powered? In some cases those that use batteries will flash a low-battery symbol when they need a replacement.


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


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


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




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


Here are any variety of minor reasons why this might happen. Initially validate that the thermostat is set to "Heat." Then attempt moving the dial up or down a few degrees to examine if a visible difference 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 manages the heating system. Youre aiming to see whether its thrown to the "Off" position or whether its in the middle.


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


Make sure it is staying 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 breaker itself.



The furnace is not producing adequate heat. Examine and change a stopped up filter.


A heating system that struggles to produce heat is a various matter from one that has somehow stopped working.


When it comes to a poor-performing heater that does not heat the house adequately very first make sure that the air filter is tidy and in great condition if not new.


This is a basic but vital part of heating system upkeep. Among the most common factors to have a heating system not working is a blocked filter. It also takes place to be the simplest upkeep task.


Changing your furnace filter routinely is a quick and basic task and goes a long method in securing HVAC elements and improving your inside air quality.


Locate your filter - Some furnaces have their filter in the intake. This more than likely looks like a grate in a floor ceiling or wall. Other filters live in the furnace itself.



Check your filter - You can inform if the time has come to alter it by holding it approximately the light. If no light shines through the filter needs altering. A dirty filthy odor from the vents when the blower switches on is another excellent sign you should alter your heater filter.


Change your filter - Make sure your furnace is shut off. No air must be coming out. Examine the instructions your filter points. Filters are made to trap matter blown from one direction. Installing your filter upside-down can decrease its effectiveness.


Cleaning the particles that constructs up on your filters will aid with the circulation of air. When your air filter is clogged your air handler must work harder to make up for the clog of air flow. In addition to increasing your utility expense the minimized air circulation through your cooling and heating system can trigger your heat exchanger to overheat and shut off too quickly.


Filters clean the air headed into the furnace and the heated air returned into the house. A filthy stopped up filter limits the airflow ultimately causing heat and pressure to develop up in the furnace.


Newer more effective furnaces are delicate to the issue and will typically close down before an unclean filter triggers more problem. For other systems the heater will continue to run however with less heat output and lowered efficiency.




Safety turn on a heating system door


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


Heating systems have a safety switch that pops out when the door is removed. The door must remain in place for the switch to be activated and for the heater to operate.


If you find you require to install a new security switch follow the action by action guidelines on How to Install a Furnace Door Safety Switch.


Shut the power off. Preparation the blower door. Wire the security switch. Check and evaluate the installation.





Keep the area around your heater clean and unblocked


This might appear like an obvious suggestion however often house owners with busy lives forget to focus on areas of their home like the basement.


A basement can end up being chaotic which in turn can cause the area around the heating system being filled with miscellaneous ownerships and debris. Not just does a clean furnace function much better it looks much better.


Avoid keeping combustible compounds or materials near your furnace. Crowding your heating system can cause unforeseen fires considerable damage to your house and threat to your household and animals.


However convenient it might seem to simply "save it there" for the summer season consider the opportunity that you may well forget any items youve left on or near your heater. Do not take chances offer your heater the space it needs to operate safely.


In addition vacuum and clean regularly around your furnace. While you may have eliminated any and all combustible items from the location keep in mind that dust and lint can develop and develop a fire danger. An excess amount of dust and lint can also cause your filter to become clogged up sooner than usual needing more regular replacement.