HVAC systems are a primary household essential. What do you think it would be like in everyday life without an operating HVAC system? Luckily, we don’t have to imagine it too hard, as over 90% of homes in America have HVAC systems installed. However, keep in mind that heating systems are heavily utilized during the winter season, so it is a common issue for them to act up around this time of the year. In terms of transparency, we don’t wish that this will happen to you, but it does make sense if you think about it. As the weather drops to colder temperatures, it’s typical for homeowners to raise the temperature on the thermostat. This ultimately means that your furnace is now working harder to compensate for the harsh winter weather.
Now, we understand this is the entire purpose of a furnace – it functions to heat your home. But it is important to stress preventative maintenance. Nonetheless, unpredictable scenarios still arise in life, and the only thing we can do is stay ready. So, here are seven common reasons from your Huber Heights Heating & Cooling professionals as to why your HVAC system may act up this winter. You may just find your own HVAC system acting up for one of the following reasons.
1. HOW ABOUT THE AIR FILTERS?
Trapping loose dust and other airborne debris that may be floating about your home is the main purpose of your HVAC system’s air filters. We typically recommend that homeowners swap their air filters out for a fresh one every 1-2 months. Therefore, if you are encountering issues with your HVAC system, check your air filter first. Clogged air filters can be the culprit of various HVAC issues. A good example is how an overloaded air filter can cause decreased airflow or even result in poor indoor air quality (IAQ). In addition, it can also result in your furnace being overworked, which will lead to its effectiveness being negatively impacted. So, bear in mind that double-checking the air filter first never hurts!
2. HOW ABOUT THE THERMOSTAT?
Your HVAC system’s thermostat is the main source it uses to regulate the various desired temperatures and settings. So, if your thermostat isn’t functioning correctly, naturally, neither will your furnace. So, first, you should check to see if the thermostat is still powered on and if it responds to the different settings and changing temperature. A “broken” thermostat may actually just need to be cleaned or wiped down. Perhaps it just requires a fresh set of batteries. Keep in mind that it could also be a component-related issue. Furthermore, it is possible that it needs to be recalibrated. But whatever the case, if your thermostat is working as it should be after trying these basic troubleshooting steps, this is a good point to bring in a service expert to diagnose the issue for you.
3. HOW ABOUT THE HVAC PIPES & COILS?
Frozen pipes – they are the third common HVAC issue we see take place during the winter. That’s no surprise with winters here! Frigid temperatures can make the water inside your HVAC system’s pipes or coils freeze up, and on those extra cold nights, when met with accumulated pressure, they are especially prone to bursting. Of course, this is not something we recommend. It would result in a true HVAC disaster! So, if you are currently experiencing a problem like this, give us a call as soon as you can!
4. HOW ABOUT AIRFLOW RESTRICTION?
Do you have a particular room in your home that feels colder than the rest? If this resonates with you and is something you are encountering at the moment, this might be due to one of two reasons. The first reason may be that you are experiencing uneven airflow due to an air leak caused by a draft. Therefore, make sure all your windows in the impacted room are properly sealed and have no gaps or cracks. The second reason might be because of airflow restriction. This means there may be a closed vent or an obstruction hindering the line of airflow into the room. If this is the case, you should verify all the vents in the room remain open and are never closed. You also want to make sure no items are in front of or over the vents.
5. HOW ABOUT THE PILOT LIGHT?
Older furnaces use gas and propane to function. So, if you are dealing with a malfunctioning furnace powering on but not putting out warm air, you should try checking the pilot light. It may have gotten blown out. If you’re wondering how this may have happened, there are two potential reasons. It’s possible that a draft blew in and blew the pilot light off. The other reason may be system-related, and the sensor may have broken. If you discover that the pilot light when out, you may try relighting it yourself – if you feel comfortable enough to do so, that is. Usually, there are instructions from the manufacturer on the furnace’s side. If this doesn’t resolve the issue, it’s time to call in a service expert.
6. HOW ABOUT YOUR HEAT PUMP?
Did you know that heat pumps are another part of your HVAC system that is likely to have issues? In this case, you might be dealing with a frosting problem, to be exact. Fortunately, most heat pumps have an automatic defrosting setting, but if yours doesn’t have this handy feature, don’t worry. Give us a call, and we will get you squared away.
7. HOW ABOUT YOUR FURNACE CYCLING?
Furnace cycling is the process in which your HVAC system is caught in a perpetual loop of powering off and on again. When this occurs, the constant cycling process doesn’t offer your system sufficient time to adequately heat up your whole home. So, it leads to a large amount of consumed energy, leaving your home cold and anything but cozy. In summary, you’re basically throwing money out the window on wasted, lost energy. So, if you are dealing with furnace cycling, try changing out the air filter first. A dirty air filter will get your system all befuddled by sending mixed signals to it, all the while obstructing airflow.
Cold weather can summon a vast amount of HVAC problems in your household. So, remember that preventative maintenance is essential! But don’t forget that sometimes some circumstances can’t be avoided no matter how much we plan, and sometimes you just have to brace ourselves for whatever weather blows our way. But you don’t have to handle it alone. Let your professionals at Huber Heights Heating & Cooling tackle these HVAC issues for you. Reach us by calling (937) 226-9675, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
