An Overview Of Heating Repair In Eugene OR

Although the storm which hit parts of the Pacific Northwest was slightly later in the month of October, home and business owners along the I-5 corridor were reminded of the disastrous Columbus Day Storm of October 1962. The high winds which arose suddenly on October 12, 1962, caused dozens of fatalities, power outages, and significant property damage. This year’s windstorm and typhoon-remnant caused flooding and power outages. The wind delayed Portland trains and shut down the streetcar service briefly. The storm was mostly centered in Portland. Homeowners further south in Oregon were reminded that heating repair in Eugene OR is something that should not be allowed to lapse.

Both the storm which hit Portland and the one which hit further north in Seattle, Washington were forecast to be more severe than they turned out to be. In Portland, the major issue was the wind velocity. According to the National Weather Service, Portland experienced gusts of up to 50 mph, while the coast was hit with 80 mph gusts in some places.

The wind caused downed trees and power lines. As many as 37,000 people were without power on Saturday following the storm and 4200 people still did not have power on Sunday.

Meteorologists had expected the storm to hit the coast more directly than turned out to be the case. As a result, the wind speeds were less severe than forecast. The steps and warnings which were put into place in both Portland and Seattle were designed to prevent significant numbers of rescues from occurring. Residents were encouraged to avoid driving or traveling during the height of the storm forecast.

For homes which are heated with electricity, a power outage, particularly during the cold weather months can be a disaster. It pays to prepare for such an emergency before the storm hits. Loss of power due to weather-related events is a serious problem. If the home has a backup source of heat, such as a fireplace, it may be used to help alleviate the chill.

Under no circumstances should an outdoor heating source be used indoors. A generator which runs on gasoline or diesel can be an alternative source of heat when the power goes out. Some homeowners purchase a backup generator to provide a solution in just such an event as a power outage.

The heater which has quit working because of damage to the system needs to be checked by a reliable and knowledgeable technician. Regular maintenance for heaters, HVAC, and other household systems will help to avoid a middle-of-the-night emergency call to the HVAC company. Emergency repairs rarely happen during convenient hours.

Checking heaters on a regular basis can help to avoid emergency calls. Heaters should be checked for wear and damage before the heavy use system, and again in the spring after the cold months passed. The technician will check each part of the appliance and the system to look for dirty or worn parts. Worn or non-functioning part are repaired or replaced and the entire system is cleaned. Necessary lubrication is applied and any leaks are repaired.