Winter HVAC concerns need to be addressed as soon as they come up. Since prevention is always the first and best approach, an annual furnace tune-up and inspection should be scheduled with a qualified HVAC contractor for a complete system check-up as well as a list of manufacturer-recommended preventive maintenance procedures. By catching small problems before they become major issues later on, you may avoid many winter HVAC concerns.
During a typical heating season, here are some of the issues you may encounter:
Rooms That Don’t Heat
If a certain room is chronically chilly, it’s usually an airflow issue. First make sure that the furnace supply and return vents in the room are wide open and unobstructed. Then, check to feel if warm air is emitted by the supply vent at a similar volume and temperature of other rooms. If airflow is lacking, you may have a duct issue such as a disconnected branch segment or an internal damper that has loosened and gradually closed over time. You’ll need a qualified HVAC service technician to inspect the ductwork.
Frequent Cycling
If the furnace cycles on and off rapidly, failing to keep the house consistently warm, you may have a defective thermostat. These are generally not repairable so replacement is the only option. Another possibility is that the furnace is overheating and a safety switch is shutting off the system. Overheating could be due to insufficient airflow. Try replacing the system air filter first. If that doesn’t resolve the problem, don’t run the furnace and contact professional HVAC service immediately.
Carbon Monoxide Leakage
A cracked or rusting furnace heat exchanger could potentially leak dangerous carbon monoxide gas into your home airflow. That’s why a heat exchanger inspection is a vital safety item always included in an annual furnace tune-up. If you suspect the presence of carbon monoxide or a carbon monoxide alarm ever sounds, shut down the furnace and leave the house immediately.
For professional service to address winter HVAC concerns, contact Ace Hardware Home Services.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
