Along with the winter season, so has come the frigid weather Ohio is so famously known for. Donned in our coziest of clothing and wrapped in warm, fuzzy blankets, you may have found yourself turning up your heating system on the chilliest of days. Could you fathom what it would be like not to have a working furnace in the wintertime? It sounds unpleasant, for sure! However, did you know that since furnaces are in high use during the winter, they can get overworked and, thus, start causing problems? It’s good to be aware of what common issues can occur with your heating system this winter; that way, you can stay steps ahead. So, here is a list of the seven most common reasons your HVAC system may act up this winter. Compiled by yours truly – Five Star Heating & Cooling Cincinnati.
#1 THERMOSTATS: IS THE THERMOSTAT OPERATING PROPERLY?
Your thermostat is the main component that functions as a mediator between you and your HVAC system, so if your furnace isn’t working properly, checking your thermostat first is a great place to start. You should check to see if it is still turned on and responds to temperature and setting changes. You might be shocked that all the thermostat needed was a fresh set of batteries!
#2 AIR FILTERS: WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME THE AIR FILTER WAS CHANGED?
Next, don’t discount what a fresh air filter can do! If you have been encountering furnace issues, try changing the air filter. You never know; it may have gotten bogged down with dust and other airborne debris over the past few weeks. This can lead to various issues with your HVAC system. Moreover, it’s important to remember you should change your air filters every 1-2 months. Doing this is the best form of preventative maintenance you can put into action!
#3 FROZEN PIPES: ARE THE PIPES & COILS IN YOUR HVAC SYSTEM FROZEN?
Frozen HVAC pipes and coils are a rather common issue we come across. Unfortunately, there’s not really a way around it; temperatures drop really low around here! Bear in mind, if you suspect your unit may be malfunctioning due to accumulated ice, you should get it looked at immediately. The last thing you want to deal with is a frozen pipe that will burst and cause extensive damage to your unit.
#4 AIR FLOW RESTRICTION: DO YOU HAVE A ROOM IN YOUR HOME THAT SEEMS COLDER THAN THE REST?
Have you ever wondered why there is a specific room in your house that seems to be colder than the rest? This is another common issue we get asked about often. If this is something you can relate to, try checking each vent in the room to confirm that all vents are left open; none should be closed. In addition, you want to confirm there are no obstructions over the vent or in front of the vent that could be a hindrance to the line of airflow. For instance, items or furniture should not be placed on top of a vent or in front of it as it will cause airflow restriction.
#5 THE PILOT LIGHT: IS IT STILL LIT?
If your heating system runs on gas or propane, it utilizes a pilot light. If you have suddenly noticed that it is not giving off heat but seems to be still running fine, your pilot light may have gone out. This can happen when a draft blows by the pilot light and blows it out. If it’s a system-related issue that caused the pilot light to go out, the sensor could be damaged. So, upon checking the flame to see if it is still lit, if you find it has gone out, you may relight it using the manufacturer’s instructions placed on the side of the furnace. 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 in a timely manner!
#6 THE HEAT PUMP: IS IT FUNCTIONING?
Heat pumps are susceptible to frosting in the winter. Again – not a surprise with Ohio’s weather. Luckily, there are many heat pumps that come with an automatic defrosting feature. If your heat pump happens to be one that does not have this handy feature but seems like it has frosting issues, please give us a call.
#7 CYCLING: DOES YOUR FURNACE KEEP POWERING OFF & ON?
Cycling is when your heating system turns off and on repeatedly. If this is something you have been seeing with your furnace, and it seems like it’s stuck in a never-ending cycle of powering down and on again, try changing the air filter as the first means of troubleshooting. When an air filter gets clogged, it ultimately confuses your HVAC system, which then causes it to get stuck in that cycle of turning off and on. If that doesn’t resolve the problem, it would be in your best interest to call a professional like Five Star Heating & Cooling Cincinnati to properly diagnose the issue for you.
If you come across any of these seven HVAC problems this winter and you are still experiencing issues, don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call Five Star Heating & Cooling Cincinnati. We would love the chance to provide you with our five-star customer service. We offer all HVAC-related services and also provide emergency HVAC services as well! Take confidence in knowing that we will get you up and running again! Call us at (513) 216-5011, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
