Common Furnace Problems During Cold Months
You may rely on your furnace to keep your home warm and cozy as the temperature drops. But what happens if something goes wrong? It’s essential to know the common furnace problems that arise during the colder months so that you can fix them quickly and efficiently. This blog will discuss a few of the most common issues with furnaces in a cold climate, how to identify them, and how to fix them.
1. Clogged Filters
Clogged filters are one of the most common furnace problems during cold months. A clogged filter can cause reduced airflow and reduce your system’s efficiency by up to 15%. Depending on usage, you should change or clean your furnace filters every 1-3 months. Check for clogged filters before repairing or replacing the unit if you notice reduced airflow.
2. Faulty Thermostat
Faulty thermostats are another common issue with furnaces during cold months. If your thermostat isn’t working properly, it won’t be able to accurately measure the temperature in your home, which could lead to an inefficient heating system and higher utility bills. Try resetting the thermostat or replacing its batteries as needed to troubleshoot this issue. If that doesn’t work, call a professional HVAC technician to take a look at it.
3. Blocked Vents
Blocked vents can also lead to decreased efficiency and increased energy costs in cold weather. Make sure all of the vents in your home are open and unobstructed by furniture or other objects so that air can flow freely through them without being blocked or diverted elsewhere in the home.
4. Pilot Light Issues
Pilot light issues are another common problem with furnaces during cold months due to improper maintenance or lack of use over a long period of time (such as when leaving for vacation). The pilot light is an important component of a furnace since it ignites the burners, which produce heat for your home. If you suspect an issue with your pilot light, consult an HVAC professional about how best to fix it safely and efficiently.
5. Dirty Burners
Dirty burners can also be problematic for furnaces during cold months because they can lead to incomplete combustion, reducing efficiency and increasing emissions from your furnace exhaust system. To prevent this from happening, clean out debris or dust around the burners regularly so they remain free from obstruction and dirt buildup over time.
6. Cycling Too Often
Your furnace should not cycle on and off too often as this indicates something is wrong – either there is too much air coming into the unit or not enough air flowing out of it (or both). Check all ducts leading into and out of the unit for blockages or leaks that could be causing this problem and address them accordingly if found (consulting a professional if necessary).
7. Ignition Issues
Ignition issues are another common problem with furnaces during cold weather. They can prevent proper unit operation due to a lack of ignition spark at startup or sustained operation throughout usage cycles (which can lead to user safety concerns).
To troubleshoot ignition issues, consult with an HVAC technician who has experience dealing with these types of issues as soon as possible so as not to put yourself at risk from potential fires due to improper maintenance/repair techniques used by inexperienced individuals trying their hand at fixing these types of problems on their own without proper training/experience under their belt first!
Remember - always consult with our trusted HVAC professionals at Dependable Heating & Air whenever you need clarification on any specific repairs needed within their system(s). It’s better to be safe than sorry! Call us at (707) 247-2887 to schedule repairs.