Are you experiencing issues with your heating system this winter? If your furnace breaks down in the middle of winter, don’t worry! Newark-Heath Heating & Cooling will be there in a jiff to help. Common HVAC issues are more likely to occur during this time of the year when furnaces are working overtime to compensate for the cold weather. To head off problems, preventative maintenance is key. However, because furnaces have to work hard during the winter, sometimes issues pop up despite our best efforts. So, today let’s talk about some of the most common HVAC problems you might come across this season.
1. ARE YOU AWARE OF THE RISKS OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING? Carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless gas that can be fatal if inhaled in large quantities. Homeowners should install a carbon monoxide detector to protect their families. The good news is that they are readily available and affordable at most hardware stores. Carbon monoxide detectors are especially important in the winter months when furnaces are heavily used, posing an increased risk of malfunction and release of toxic gases if something were to go awry.
2. DID YOU KNOW YOUR HVAC AIR FILTERS NEED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 1-2 MONTHS? By replacing your air filters every 1-2 months, you can prevent larger problems with your HVAC system further down the line. A clogged or dirty filter will reduce airflow and make your whole system act up, so it’s important to stay on top of these replacements.
3. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOUR THERMOSTAT’S BATTERIES WERE CHANGED? If your HVAC system is malfunctioning and you have no clue why, try checking the thermostat. If it doesn’t respond, it may just need a change of batteries. If doing this does not kickstart your HVAC system into gear and the thermostat remains unresponsive, this is a good signal that it is time to seek out an HVAC professional to investigate whether wiring damage or something else is causing problems.
4. ARE YOUR HVAC PIPES OR COILS FROZEN? If your HVAC system’s coils or pipes are frozen, turn off the system and let it thaw out. If the problem persists, call us to book a diagnostic appointment. We will visit your home to identify and diagnose the underlying issue. Left unattended, Frozen HVAC pipes or coils can potentially burst, which would cause expensive, time-consuming repairs due to water damage or broken parts.
5. IS YOUR FURNACE AN OIL-BURNING FURNACE? An annual safety furnace check and tune-up is key to preventing wintertime issues. If your furnace uses oil, you’ll want to get your fall tune-up, and safety check completed before winter sets in, as running out of fuel can obviously cause the furnace not to work. Yearly inspections are important to see if everything will be working once it gets cold outside. An appointment with us means that one of our trained and certified technicians will come to your home. We’ll inspect different aspects of your HVAC system, like fuel levels, to make sure heat is something you won’t have to worry about this winter.
6. DOES YOUR FURNACE BLOW WARM OR COOL AIR? If your furnace starts pumping out cold air, this could be pointing to a more serious problem. But before panic starts to set in, let’s try some basic troubleshooting steps first. To start, first see if the pilot light needs to be relit. It’s possible that it may have gone out without you noticing. If you discover that it indeed has gone out and feel confident enough to do so yourself, follow any manufacturer’s instructions placed on the side of the furnace. However, if this does not fix the problem, we recommend calling so that we may assist you.
7. HAS YOUR ENERGY BILL BEEN SUSPICIOUSLY HIGH? Gaps and openings around ductwork or windows can typically cause fluctuations in your energy bill. So, if you have any of these around your ductwork, windows, or even doors, be sure to get them sealed accordingly. Another potential issue might be outdated HVAC equipment. If you’re having difficulties with maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home, please give us a call, and we would be happy to help determine the source of the problem.
At Newark-Heath Heating & Cooling, your comfort is our top priority. If you find yourself in need of heater repair, don’t hesitate to give us a call day or night. One of our qualified technicians will be more than happy to come out and get your system running again as soon as possible. We offer emergency HVAC service 24/7, 365 days a year, for your convenience. You can call us at (740) 212-5849 or schedule an appointment now by clicking here!
