If your furnace conks out this winter, have no fear! Mount Washington Heating & Cooling is here to help! During these frigid months, furnaces work overtime, and sometimes, HVAC systems are prone to being overworked, which can lead to common HVAC issues arising during this time of the year.
1. IS THERE A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR IN YOUR HOME?
We strongly believe every homeowner should be aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. This gas can be present without any notice, as it is colorless and odorless, making it nearly impossible to detect unless you have a carbon monoxide detector. Because furnaces are heavily used in winter, this increases the risk of this gas, so it’s important to take proactive steps by installing a carbon monoxide detector. Luckily, these life-saving components are reasonably priced and can be obtained from most home improvement stores.
2. ARE THE HVAC AIR FILTERS NEEDING TO BE CHANGED?
To keep your HVAC running smoothly, plan on replacing air filters every 1-2 months. A dirty filter can clog airflow and make your whole system operate less efficiently. This is the easiest form of preventative maintenance you can practice. Otherwise, a clogged air filter can pave the way for a plethora of HVAC system issues to occur.
3. DO THE THERMOSTAT BATTERIES NEED TO BE CHANGED?
One of the first things you should do when you realize your HVAC system isn’t working correctly is to see if the thermostat is on and responding. In the event it does not respond, try putting in a fresh set of new batteries. It may be that it only needed new battery life to get your system up and running again. If that doesn’t work, then it’s time to look for help from an HVAC professional who can tell whether wiring damage or something else is causing problems.
4. ARE THE HVAC PIPES OR COILS FROZEN UP?
If you think that your HVAC system’s coils or pipes might be frozen, turn off your system and let it thaw out. If your issue still persists, give us a call to book a diagnostic appointment; we will come out to your home to assess and diagnose the underlying issue. Left unattended, frozen HVAC pipes and coils can potentially burst, causing extensive water damage and parts to break. This, of course, would result in expensive, time-consuming repairs.
5. DO YOU HAVE AN OIL-BURNING FURNACE?
Fall is the best time to get an annual safety tune-up and check for your furnace because you reduce the chances of wintertime issues occurring simply by enforcing a bit of preventative maintenance. If your furnace uses oil, then it’s key that you get your fall tune-up and safety check completed as soon as possible if you have not done so already. A low or empty fuel tank can cause the furnace not to work properly. When you book an appointment with us, one of our NATE-certified technicians will come to your house and inspect different parts of your HVAC system. We’ll check things like fuel levels to make sure everything is functioning as it should be to get you and your family through the winter.
6. IS YOUR FURNACE BLOWING WARM OR COLD AIR?
If your furnace starts pumping out cold air instead of heat, that may be indicative of a larger issue at hand. To start troubleshooting, check if the pilot light has been blown out. If you discover that it indeed has gone out and you’re feeling confident, try lighting it again yourself. Generally, there are usually manufacturers’ instructions placed on the side of the furnace. However, if this doesn’t fix the problem, we recommend giving us a call so one of our professionals can take care of it for you.
7. IS YOUR ENERGY BILL SUPER HIGH?
Sudden changes in your energy bill are normal. However, if this becomes a common occurrence, it could be due to gaps and openings around ductwork or windows. In which case, should find any, be sure to fix this as soon as possible. Otherwise, you are quite literally throwing money out the window by paying for energy consumption through air leakage. Another possibility is old HVAC equipment. So, if you think there might be an unresolved issue with your unseemly high energy bills, give us a call so we can help assess your needs.
No one should have to shiver through the cold winter nights. And if your furnace does decide to stop working, don’t panic! Mount Washington Heating & Cooling will be there as soon as possible to get you up and running again. Reach us at (513) 655-5115, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
