Portland FAQs

Commonly Asked Electrical, Heating & AC Questions

The experienced electricians and HVAC technicians at A-TEMP Heating, Cooling & Electrical offer a full range of services to keep your home safe, healthy, and comfortable. This page contains answers to many common FAQs in Portland. We are always happy to answer your questions about any of our services.

Give us a call today at (503) 694-3396 for answers to your heating, AC, electrical, or indoor air quality questions.

Heating & AC Questions

How can I reduce my home heating costs?

Modern heating equipment is more energy efficient than ever. Replacing your old system can reduce your energy costs by up to half. Regular maintenance helps your system run in every season.

How does air conditioning work?

Central air conditioning systems use refrigeration to remove heat and humidity from the air. The cooled air passes through a filtration system to remove dust and other particles before it is distributed throughout your home by the air handler and duct system.

What is the difference between gas and electric heat?

A gas furnace uses a gas burner to create heat through a combustion process to warm the air, which is then distributed into the duct system by a blower. An electric furnace uses electric current to generate heat and transfers the warmed air using a conduction and convection process.

Does my home need more than one thermostat?

A zoning system uses multiple furnaces or air conditioning systems to warm and cool the air in different areas of the home. These systems require a thermostat for every zone.

How often should filters be changed?

Most filters should be changed every one to three months, but certain higher-end filters can last up to 12 months. Regular filter changes help improve system performance and indoor air quality.

Does my heater/AC system need annual maintenance?

Heating and air conditioning equipment manufacturers recommend annual maintenance for optimal performance. Our Comfort Club provides yearly scheduled maintenance and tune up services and exclusive member benefits, such as repair discounts, priority status for repair services, and more.

Indoor Air Quality Questions

Should I be concerned about indoor air quality?

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that the air in many homes and commercial buildings is more polluted than the outdoor air. The indoor air can be contaminated by dust, dirt, pet dander, pollen, mold, bacteria, viruses, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other pollutants. Poor indoor air quality can lead to allergy symptoms, asthma attacks, and contribute to respiratory illnesses.

Why should my ducts be cleaned?

Your duct system moves heated and cooled air throughout your home. Unfortunately, the ducts in many homes are full of dust and other contaminants.

We provide duct cleaning services to remove:

• Dirt
• Dust
• Pollen
• Pet dander
• Other pollutants

Contaminants in the ductwork cause poor indoor air quality, which can trigger allergy symptoms, asthma, and aggravate other respiratory conditions.

Electrical Questions

Why do the outlets near my bathroom go out frequently?

When outlets in the bathroom or kitchen go out frequently, it can be caused by GFCI tripping. GFCI outlets are usually installed near water sources, such as in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and outdoor areas. If the outlets continually trip, they may need to be replaced.

Why is the power out in half my house?

This problem often happens in older homes because the electrical system is not sufficient to meet the demands of modern appliances and electronics. We can perform a thorough diagnostic to determine the cause of the problem.

Why do the lights flicker for no reason?

Flickering lights can be caused by overloaded circuits, loose connections, or a problem with the transformer outside the house. We can diagnose the problem and recommend the best repair.

How do I know if a breaker has tripped?

When a breaker detects a problem with the electrical circuit, the switch will move to the middle or the off position. You can reset the breaker by turning it to the off position and then back on. If a breaker continues to trip, it may need to be replaced.

What damage can be caused by a power surge?

Lightning strikes may cause power surges. A power surge can result in a blown fuse, power outage, or damage to your electrical outlet or electronic devices. Our electricians can perform an inspection and recommend the best repair to correct the damage.

If you have any questions not answered here, please call (503) 694-3396 to speak with a knowledgeable member of our staff.