If you were to suddenly encounter issues with your heating system squat in the middle of winter, what would you do? Well, first off, don’t worry! Count on Springboro Heating & Cooling to be at your side in a jiffy. Rest assured; we will do whatever we can to help get your HVAC system up and running again. It’s not unusual for HVAC mishaps to occur around this time of the year when furnaces are working harder to compensate for the frigid winter weather. In order to nip problems in the bud, it’s important for homeowners to practice preventative maintenance. However, preventative maintenance won’t curb HVAC problems altogether. Unfortunately, even through our best efforts, situations can arise that are not entirely avoidable. And most of the time, this is because of one thing – winter weather. So, come along with us as we talk about some of the most common HVAC issues that can potentially arise in the wintertime.
1. CAN A CLOGGED AIR FILTER BECOME A PROBLEM IN THE WINTER?
Don’t discount what a clean air filter can do – even in the wintertime! We know that pollen and dust particles are abundant in the summer. But that doesn’t mean dust and other airborne particles and loose debris aren’t existent during the cooler months too. Air filters should still be replaced every 1-2 months, as recommended. Doing this will reduce the chances of your HVAC system experiencing issues like airflow restriction or furnace cycling.
2. WILL DEAD THERMOSTAT BATTERIES CAUSE YOUR SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION?
The thermostat is the main component of your HVAC system that functions to communicate temperature settings, readings, changes, and more to your HVAC system. Therefore, if your HVAC system seems to be acting up, always check the thermostat. If, at this point, it is still not responsive, try putting in a fresh set of new batteries. Surprisingly enough, sometimes, dead thermostat batteries are the root of many an HVAC woe. However, if this does not resolve the issue and your thermostat is still not responding, this is a good indication that you may have to seek out further help from a licensed HVAC professional.
3. ARE FROZEN HVAC PIPES & COILS ANOTHER COMMON HVAC WINTER ISSUE?
Unfortunately, frozen HVAC pipes and coils are one of the issues we often see happening during this time of the year. There’s really no way around it when you consider Ohio’s frigid winter. But don’t let that dishearten you; we still have a couple of personal recommendations you can try to decrease the chances of your pipes from freezing over.
If you suspect that your pipes may have frozen, you should shut your system off and give those pipes some time to defrost. Furthermore, if you have exposed pipes in your home, utilizing pipe insulation is a great way to provide an extra layer of insulation and protection. If your issue still persists, don’t postpone booking an appointment with a qualified professional like Springboro Heating & Cooling. Water damage and burst pipes are not worth risking!
4. DOES YOUR FURNACE USE OIL?
A yearly safety furnace check and tune-up is key to preventing winter HVAC problems. This means that it would be best to get your fall tune-up and safety check completed before winter really sets in. Normally, we recommend having this done before the first use of the fall, but if you haven’t had your fall tune-up and safety check completed yet, it’s not too late. If you have an oil-burning furnace and missed your seasonal checkup, heading full-force into the winter season, there’s a chance that your unit may run out of fuel – which is not something we recommend. The last thing you need is to be caught in the cold this winter. Prevent this unfortunate scenario from happening altogether by simply calling to have your seasonal safety tune-up and safety check scheduled as soon as possible.
5. IS YOUR FURNACE BLOWING COLD AIR INSTEAD OF WARM AIR?
If your furnace starts pumping out cold air as opposed to the warm air it should be blowing out, there could be an underlying issue at hand. But first, before you start to worry, you can try some light troubleshooting steps. The first thing you should check is if the pilot light needs to be relit. It’s possible it somehow had gotten blown out. Upon checking, if you find that it has gone out and does indeed need to be relit, you may try relighting it yourself. Don’t know how? No problem! Usually, there are manufacturer’s instructions placed on the side of the furnace itself. Unfortunately, if this does not get your furnace back up and running with warm air, it’s time to bring in a professional.
6. HAS YOUR MONTHLY ENERGY BILL BEEN EXTREMELY HIGH LATELY?
It’s probably safe to assume that many of us wouldn’t mind a lower monthly energy bill. However, if your bill has been extremely high over the past several months, you may want to perform a quick walk-through of your home, checking for any gaps and openings around your ductwork, doors, and windows. Air leakage can play a large role in high energy bills. When there are gaps or openings around ductwork, doors, or windows, your HVAC system will be in a constant state of working to compensate for the escaping air. So, if you find that there are, in fact, areas that need to be recaulked, sealed, or repaired, be sure to have these fixed as soon as you can. No one wants their money thrown out the window!
7. IS CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING A REAL RISK?
The short answer is – absolutely! Due to carbon monoxide being an invisible, odorless gas, it would be fatal if it were inhaled. For this reason, we highly suggest that every homeowner should install a carbon monoxide detector in their home. This, of course, will protect your family and household from a life-threatening disaster. Luckily, carbon monoxide detectors are readily available and affordable at most local home improvement stores. In addition, remember that carbon monoxide detectors are especially crucial in the winter months when furnaces are heavily used. An older, malfunctioning furnace could potentially release carbon monoxide, causing risk to your house and family. We think that the peace of mind of knowing your home and family are protected is totally worth it!
Your Springboro Heating & Cooling professionals care about your comfort and safety. If you find yourself in a position this winter where your furnace has gone out, don’t hesitate to give us a call! We provide emergency HVAC service 24/7, 365 days a year! We can be reached at (937) 600-6834, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
