Portland's Guide to Home Heating Systems
Gas furnaces, electric furnaces, heat pumps, and ductless systems all keep Portland-area homes warm, and each one fails in its own way. This is where we explain how they work, what they cost to live with, and when a repair beats a replacement, written for homeowners who want to understand the system before anyone tells them to buy a new one.
Most Heating Problems Make Sense Once You Know What You Have
Walk through enough Portland, Gresham, and Beaverton homes and you find a bit of everything: gas furnaces in garages and crawlspaces, electric furnaces backing up heat pumps, and ductless units in attics and additions. Knowing which one you have, and how it is supposed to behave, is the fastest way to tell a small fix from a real failure.
We have seen it play out. A heat pump quit, the home ran on its electric furnace all winter, and the breaker kept tripping. Two companies said the system was old and needed replacing. The actual problem was an undersized breaker, and once that was sorted and the system was tuned up, the heat bill came down hard. That is why we would rather start with a proper heating repair diagnosis than a sales pitch.
Sometimes replacement really is the right call, and when it is, we will walk you through your replacement options plainly. If you are weighing fuel types, start with our breakdown of gas versus electric heating, then pick the guide below that matches your situation.
Comparing Electric vs. Gas Heating Systems
Your furnace is getting old, or you just bought a home with a heating setup you have never lived with, and everyone has an opinion on gas versus electric. This guide lays out how gas furnaces, electric furnaces, and heat pumps actually make heat, what each one asks of your home's gas line and electrical panel, and where each tends to fall short. It is the comparison we would want any homeowner to read before deciding what goes in the utility closet for the next decade or more.
Pick the One That Matches Your Situation
Heating Repair
No heat, short cycling, a tripping breaker, or a furnace that lights and shuts off. We test the system component by component to find the part that actually failed, and every repair is backed by our 30-day guarantee.
See Heating RepairHeating Replacement & Installation
When an old furnace or heat pump has truly reached the end, we size and install a replacement that fits your home, your fuel, and your budget, with venting, gas piping, and ductwork tied in cleanly.
See Replacement OptionsHeating Systems
Gas furnaces, electric furnaces, heat pumps, and ductless systems: an overview of the heating equipment we work on across the Portland metro and what each one does well.
Explore Heating SystemsDo Heat Pumps Work in Portland Winters?
Heat pumps are common around Portland, but a cold snap raises fair questions about backup heat and what happens when the outdoor unit quits. Here is how they hold up in our winters.
Read About Heat PumpsSigns It's Time for Heat Replacement
Age alone is not a reason to replace a furnace. These are the signs that point to replacement, and the ones that usually mean a repair will carry you through another season.
Check the Warning SignsThe Dangers of a Cracked Heat Exchanger
A cracked heat exchanger is a real safety issue, and it is also a diagnosis that deserves to be verified. What it is, why it matters, and why a second look before replacement is worth it.
Learn the RisksTalk It Through With Us Before You Replace Anything
Schedule Free Estimate Call (503) 334-9584Free onsite diagnostics. Terms and conditions may apply, so call for details.
Call → We Check the Basics Together → We Fix It Right, Backed by Our 30-Day Guarantee