Imagine everyday life in the winter without a functioning heating system. Believe it or not, it’s common for heating systems to start having issues around wintertime since they get used more. Now, we’re not trying to jinx you or anything, but as the weather drops lower, 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. We understand this is the entire purpose of a furnace – it functions to heat your home. But what you may not know is that preventative maintenance on your furnace can keep it running smoothly. However, even though we always hope for the best, sometimes life surprises us with less-than-ideal circumstances. To help you prepare for anything that might come your way, Kettering-Oakwood Heating & Air has put together a list of seven common reasons why your HVAC system may not be working properly this winter.
1. HOW ABOUT THE AIR FILTERS?
The purpose of your HVAC system’s air filters is to trap any loose dust or debris that may be floating around in your home. We generally recommend homeowners swap out their air filters for a fresh one every month or two. So, if you are having issues with your HVAC system, check your air filter first. Various HVAC issues can often be linked back to clogged air filters. For example, an overloaded filter can restrict airflow or cause poor indoor air quality. Additionally, it may also put extra strain on your furnace, which will, in turn, reduce its effectiveness. So, remember, it’s always worth checking your air filter first!
2. HOW ABOUT THE THERMOSTAT?
The thermostat is the HVAC system’s primary temperature regulator, so if it’s not working correctly, neither will your furnace. First, check to see if the thermostat is still powered on and responsive to different settings and changing temperatures. A nonfunctional thermostat might just need cleaning or wiping down. Furthermore, sometimes all a thermostat needs are some new batteries. On the other hand, it could also be an issue with one of the components. There’s also a chance that recalibration is necessary. But if your thermostat is still not working after trying these basic troubleshooting steps, then it might be time to call in a service expert for further diagnosis.
3. HOW ABOUT THE HVAC PIPES & COILS?
One of the most frequently occurring HVAC issues during winter is frozen HVAC pipes and coils. This makes sense with how cold Ohio winters can be! When temperatures dip below freezing, the water inside your HVAC system’s coils or pipes can freeze and become ice. On those exceptionally colder nights when there is additional pressure on these areas, they are even more likely to break or rupture. Obviously, we don’t recommend letting this happen since it would turn into a bona fide nightmare for you. So, if you’re experiencing anything like this right now, give us a call at your earliest convenience!
4. HOW ABOUT AIRFLOW RESTRICTION?
If you have a specific room in your house that tends to feel like it is less heated than the rest, a possible reason this room feels colder than the others is an air leak causing uneven airflow due to a draft. To fix this, check all of the windows in the affected room to make sure they are properly sealed with no gaps, cracks, or openings. The second potential reason is airflow restriction. This means an obstruction, like a closed vent, might be hindering the line of airflow into the room. To fix this issue, you should check that all vents in the room remain open and clear of any obstructions. Additionally, you’ll want to verify that no items are blocking or covering the vents.
5. HOW ABOUT THE PILOT LIGHT?
If your furnace is having powering issues and isn’t blowing out warm air, the pilot light may have been blown out. There are two potential reasons this could have happened. One possibility is that a draft blew in and extinguished the pilot light. The other reason might be that a sensor has broken within the system itself. Upon checking, if you find that your pilot light is out, you may attempt to relight it before contacting a service expert. If you don’t feel comfortable doing so, please give us a call! More often than not, the instructions on how to do this are included on the side of the furnace.
6. HOW ABOUT YOUR HEAT PUMP?
Did you know that heat pumps, like other parts of your HVAC system, are likely to have issues? In particular, you might be dealing with a frosting problem. Fortunately, most heat pumps come with an automatic defrosting setting. However, if yours doesn’t have this feature, don’t hesitate to give us a call so we can help address the issue.
7. HOW ABOUT YOUR FURNACE CYCLING?
When your HVAC system is caught in a perpetual loop of powering off and on again, it’s called furnace cycling. Not only does this use up a lot of energy, but it also leaves your home cold and uncomfortable. To summarize, if your furnace is cycling on and off, you’re wasting money on lost energy. So, the first thing you should try is changing the air filter. A dirty air filter will confuse your system by sending mixed signals and obstructing airflow.
It is essential to always practice preventative maintenance! Bear in mind, though, that sometimes no amount of planning can avoid every circumstance, and we must be prepared for anything life throws our way. Fortunately, you don’t have to go through these HVAC issues by yourself. Your service professionals at Kettering-Oakwood Heating & Air will gladly take on the task for you. Reach us by calling (937) 502-3842, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
