Ohio is so famously known for its cold weather – and it’s true. We are now donned in our coziest of clothes or wrapped in fuzzy blankets, trying to stay nice and toasty despite the weather. Recently, you have probably found yourself turning up your furnace’s temperature on those extra chilly days. Have you ever thought about what it would be like not to have a working furnace in the winter? It would be an unpleasant experience, for sure! However, were you aware that furnaces are prone to encountering issues during this cold season as they are put to such high usage in the winter? If a furnace does not get the proper preventative maintenance it needs, it can become overworked and then lead to problems. So, here is a list of the seven most frequent reasons your HVAC system may act up this winter. Of course, put together by your favorite HVAC professionals at Five Star Heating & Cooling Dayton.
#1 THERMOSTATS: IS YOUR UNIT RESPONDING TO THE THERMOSTAT?
The thermostat is the main component that operates as a mediator between you and your HVAC system, so if your furnace is acting up, you can probably attribute it to a malfunctioning thermostat. Or you at least want to rule this out as a possibility. So, first start by checking your thermostat. What you are looking for is to verify that your thermostat still turns on and responds. It’s important to confirm that it is still responding to temperature and setting changes. The resolution may even lie within a simple change of batteries.
#2 AIR FILTERS: IS YOUR UNIT NEEDING AN AIR FILTER CHANGE?
Secondly, don’t underestimate what a new air filter can do! If you have been dealing with furnace issues, try changing the air filter. Although it may seem like you just recently changed it, it’s possible that it has gotten bogged down with an extra layer of dust and other airborne debris recently. Clogged air filters can lead to numerous problems with your HVAC system. Furthermore, it’s essential to remember you should change your air filters every 30-60 days. Enforcing this is the best form of preventative maintenance you can put into action!
#3 FROZEN PIPES: IS YOUR UNIT EXPERIENCING FROZEN HVAC PIPES & COILS?
Frozen HVAC pipes and coils are a rather frequent issue we come across in the HVAC industry. This is because temperatures can drop so low! If you perhaps suspect that your furnace may be struggling to function correctly due to built-up ice, you should have it looked at immediately. The last thing you need is a frozen HVAC pipe that can potentially burst and cause further damage to your HVAC system, resulting in an expensive repair job.
#4 AIR FLOW RESTRICTION: IS YOUR UNIT EVENLY WARMING ALL THE ROOMS IN YOUR HOME?
Have you ever noticed a specific room in your house tends to be chillier than the other rooms in your home? If this is the case with you, you may be dealing with airflow restriction. Airflow restriction is another common issue we see. If this is something you think you may be encountering, you should inspect each vent in the room to verify that all vents are open; it’s important that none are closed. Additionally, you want to confirm there are no items obstructing the vent over or on top of the vent that may hinder airflow.
#5 PILOT LIGHT: IS YOUR UNIT’S PILOT LIGHT STILL LIT?
If you have a gas or propane furnace, it utilizes a pilot light. If you have suddenly noticed that the furnace isn’t emitting warm air but is running fine, it’s likely your pilot light went out. This happens when a draft blows in the house, and the pilot light is blown out. However, it could be a system-related issue as well. So, if it is, in fact, a system-related issue that caused the pilot light to go out, the sensor could be damaged. In which case, you will need to call a professional to come inspect your unit. You may also try relighting the pilot first by yourself. This will help you to determine whether you need to call a professional or not. However, if you don’t feel comfortable doing so or this doesn’t resolve your issue, please contact us so we can send one of our NATE-certified technicians to your home to assess and resolve the issue as quickly as possible. We know you want your heat up and running as soon as possible!
#6 HEAT PUMP: IS YOUR UNIT FUNCTIONING?
Heat pumps can have frost problems in the wintertime. Again – not surprising with the weather we deal with in Ohio. To counteract this, many heat pumps come with a special feature that automatically defrosts as needed. But if your heat pump doesn’t happen to have this special setting and you suspect that your heat pump may be covered in frost or ice, please give us a call.
#7 CYCLING: IS YOUR UNIT POWERING OFF & ON?
What does it mean when we say a furnace is cycling? Well, this means your heating system is stuck in a loop where it is constantly turning off and on. You may have noticed this occurring with your furnace but couldn’t quite place a finger on why it has been happening. Nonetheless, if this seems to be the situation you’re dealing with, try checking the air filter. When an air filter gets clogged, it confuses your HVAC system, which then leads it into a cycle of powering off and on. If that doesn’t resolve the issue, it would be beneficial to call a professional such as Five Star Heating & Cooling Dayton to properly assess the issue for you.
Should you come across any of these seven HVAC problems this winter, and your furnace is still not working correctly, don’t hesitate to grab the phone and call Five Star Heating & Cooling Dayton. We would jump at the chance to provide you with our five-star customer service. We offer a wide range of HVAC-related services and are also proud to say we provide 24/7 emergency HVAC services too! Rest assured; we will get you up and running again! Call us at (937) 708-8278, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
