What Are Common Issues That Arise With Heaters as Temperatures Drop & How Can I Be Proactive About Them?

When temperatures drop, it’s time to crank up the heat, but after a long year of sitting idle, your furnace may have issues coming back to life.

What are common issues that arise with heaters as temperatures drop & how can I be proactive about them? Rogers Heating & Cooling can answer that, as well as provide a few cold-weather heating tips.

Clogged Air Filter

Professionals recommend that you replace heating filters at least every three months by following the manufacturer’s directions. 

It’s smart to change the furnace filter right before you start using it. Sitting idle through spring, summer, and most of the fall collects a lot of dust.

Faulty Thermostat

Thermostats easily malfunction with underuse. Sometimes, they need new batteries if the system doesn’t directly connect the thermostat to a power supply. 

It’s a best practice to change batteries or test run your furnace when you first turn it on to ensure it’s working properly. Better yet, call an HVAC company for a heating system maintenance check so that they can run tests and address any repair needs they find.

Uneven Heating

Inefficient or broken furnaces may cause heater performance issues due to a number of reasons, including a gas leak, fan issues, or broken parts.

Dirty, clogged, or damaged ductwork may also be to blame. Do the ducts have pinholes? The gaps will blow the air into the attic instead of evenly heating your home.

The Heater Won’t Turn On

What are common issues that arise with heaters as temperatures drop & how can I be proactive about them? Your heater might not turn at all for the following reasons:

• The safety lock was activated.
• The pilot light won’t ignite.
• Cold weather froze components.
• There’s a gas leak.
• Your system has electrical problems.
• There’s an incorrect thermostat setting.

Coming up against Winter HVAC issues can be stressful, especially if it’s snowy, so don’t put off calling for too long. An HVAC technician can run tests to determine the source of these heater problems.

Poor Insulation

Your property needs ample insulation to keep it warm for the winter. It’s best to check the following areas periodically:

• Windows: The windows release a lot of heat through thin glass, poor insulation, or cracks in the frames.
• Doors: Doors need insulation around all the edges to prevent air from seeping out of the cracks.
• Attic: A carefully ventilated attic won’t let hot air from below get through, so the home below will stay warm.
• Walls: Poorly insulated walls will easily let all your warmth escape the house.
• Air ducts: Insulated ductwork can prevent air from escaping, even if some cracks or holes form over time.

Call Rogers Heating & Cooling for Furnace Troubleshooting

So, what are common issues that arise with heaters as temperatures drop & how can I be proactive about them? Property owners ask about this because they want to avoid expensive repairs and utility bills. Why not just let Rogers Heating & Cooling take care of your winter heater woes? 

Call us today for proactive heater care at (434) 230-0093.