If your home’s heating system doesn’t seem to be keeping up with the cold anymore, several factors could be to blame.
From a malfunctioning part to the system’s configuration, numerous variables should be examined. Because of this, accurate diagnostic techniques are essential. In this week’s blog, we at Kettering-Oakwood Heating & Air will explore some of the most frequent culprits behind a furnace that just can’t seem to keep up with those especially frigid winter days.
Your Thermostat’s Settings
Oftentimes, it’s smart to turn your furnace off while you aren’t going to be home for a while, or you’re on vacation. Doing so can save money on your heating bill. With that said, however, we do not suggest turning it off altogether if it gets freezing cold outside. Leaving your furnace off completely during the winter makes it much more challenging to get it back up again to operate strong. This is tough on your furnace. And it is apt to damage or destroy your pipes! When the weather is freezing outside, the majority of homeowners know that leaving it on at least a little will save you from damaging or destroying your pipes. The conventional rule of thumb or “temperature warning threshold” for freezing pipes is around 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Keeping A Clean Furnace
It is always advisable to keep a minimal five-foot margin of space surrounding your furnace. We firmly suggest you live by this precaution because your furnace has a fire within it. That’s how it heats your house! So while keeping that area outside of it clean, also remember, just because the outside of your furnace seems clean does not suggest that the interior is adequately clean. When your furnace has been off for several months, there’s a real likelihood that it’s gotten dusty in there. Thus, this constitutes yet another reason you should have a technician take a look before turning it on for the winter.
Need For Routine Servicing
To ensure your furnace remains healthy and stays running great for years to come, seasonal tune-ups are a necessity. When one of our trusted technicians come out for one of these tune-ups, we go through a whole list of things needing to be inspected, cleaned, lubricated, and taken care of frequently. We analyze the system’s voltage, its pipes, and more. We also take a look at your filter to ensure it’s clean for the coming winter, among other things.
A Furnace That’s Too Small
When a furnace is inadequate in size, it will exhaust itself to the point that it will no longer be able to proceed. This faster breakdown time comes in addition to it not being able to provide adequate heat to keep you warm inside your home. The simplest way to find out if your unit is too small is to turn up your heat and see how long it takes to reach the desired temperature.
A Furnace That’s Too Big
Owning a furnace that’s too big isn’t a good thing either. An oversized unit succeeds to overwork itself according to your desired comfort level. The most reliable symptom of this is if your house gets hotter than what you would like it to be. It can also affect the ductwork from the unit going into the home.
Keeping Clean Vents
This sort of goes with sustaining a clean and clear unit. It’s essential to keep clutter off of your vents and keep them clean. When vents get blocked, it impacts how the group gets air. Remember, your furnace needs to breathe. If your furnace is not able to breathe, it will shut off completely.
If you continue to have any issues with your furnace this winter season, please call Kettering-Oakwood Heating & Air today at 937-502-3842 or schedule an appointment online now at https://ketteringoakwoodheatingandair.com/schedule-now/.
We would love to hear from you!
