If your furnace has seen better days and decides to quit on you in the middle of winter, don’t despair! New Albany Heating & Cooling will be there to help. Common HVAC issues are more likely to occur during this time of the year when furnaces are in overtime, working harder to compensate for the harsh weather of the coldest months of the year. This is why preventative maintenance is imperative. But keep in mind that due to the heavy usage of furnaces throughout the winter season, sometimes situations are not entirely unavoidable. That is why we are here today to discuss the common issues you may see occur with your HVAC system this season.
1. ARE YOU AWARE OF THE DANGERS OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING? Since carbon monoxide is an invisible and odorless gas, it can be fatal. Therefore, homeowners should take proactive steps to protect their families by installing a carbon monoxide detector, which are readily available and affordable at most home improvement stores. Carbon monoxide detectors are especially important in the winter months when furnaces are heavily used, as they pose an increased risk in case you suddenly have to deal with a malfunctioning furnace.
2. DID YOU KNOW YOUR HVAC AIR FILTERS NEED TO BE CHANGED EVERY 1-2 MONTHS? If you want your HVAC system to keep running smoothly, then it is a good idea to plan on replacing air filters every 1-2 months. A clogged or dirty filter can reduce airflow and make your whole system act up. So, stay ahead of the game by replacing your air filters as suggested.
3. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME THE THERMOSTAT BATTERIES WERE CHANGED OUT? If your HVAC system isn’t working correctly, one of the first things you should do is check the thermostat. If it’s not responding, try putting in fresh batteries. It may be that it just needed new battery life to get going again. If that doesn’t work and your thermostat is not responding, then it’s time to seek help from an HVAC professional who can figure out if wiring damage or something else is causing problems.
4. DO YOU HAVE HVAC PIPES OR COILS THAT ARE FROZEN? If your HVAC system’s coils or pipes are frozen, turn off your system and let it thaw out. If the issue continues, call us to book a diagnostic appointment. We will visit your home to assess and diagnose the underlying problem. Left unattended, Frozen HVAC pipes and coils can potentially burst, which would cause expensive, time-consuming repairs due to water damage or broken parts.
5. IS YOUR FURNACE OIL-BURNING? Fall is the best time for an annual safety furnace check and tune-up to prevent wintertime issues. If your furnace uses oil, you’ll want to get your fall tune-up, and safety check completed as soon as possible (if you have not done so already), as running out of fuel is not something we suggest risking. Yearly inspections are important to see if everything will continue working smoothly for the winter. Book with us, and one of our NATE-certified technicians will visit your home and inspect various parts of your HVAC system. We’ll inspect all necessary elements, such as fuel levels, to certify that your family will stay warm throughout winter.
6. DOES YOUR FURNACE BLOW HEATED OR COLD AIR? If your furnace starts pumping out cold air, this may be indicative of a more serious problem. But first, to start troubleshooting, check if the pilot light needs to be relit. If you discover that it has gone out and feel confident enough to do so yourself, follow the manufacturer’s instructions placed on the side of the furnace to try relighting it. However, if this does not fix the problem, we recommend calling one of our professionals for assistance.
7. HAS YOUR ENERGY BILL BEEN SUPER HIGH? Normal fluctuations in your energy bill are to be expected. However, if this problem persists, it may be because of gaps and openings around ductwork or windows. So, you will want to get this fixed as soon as you can if you find this to be the issue. Another potential cause could be old HVAC equipment. If you’re concerned that there might be an issue with your heating and cooling system resulting in consistently high energy bills, please give us a call so we can help identify the source of the problem.
New Albany Heating & Cooling will make sure you’re never left in the cold. If your heater does fail, we’ll dispatch one of our qualified technicians as soon as possible to get it running again so that you can stay comfortable all winter long. We offer emergency HVAC service 24/7, 365 days a year. You can call us at (614) 636-5002 or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
