Top Furnace Problems in Winter and How to Fix Them
During extreme cold weather, as we experience in Butte, Montana, problems with your heating system are more than an inconvenience; they can be a matter of life and death.
If your furnace isn't working properly, you can address common issues yourself, or you can rely on Lockmer Sheet Metal's expertise to optimize furnace performance during winter.
The key to determining how to address winter furnace issues is to be aware of common problems that impede your furnace's performance and understand when you can fix the issue and when you need to turn to a professional.
Addressing Uneven Heating and Airflow Issues
Homeowners often are puzzled when their furnace seems to be functioning correctly, but some rooms feel colder than others. You might notice airflow in these rooms feels less than the vents in other rooms.
Common problems that could cause this issue include:
Dirty air filters limit airflow into your furnace, preventing the unit from pushing enough air to maintain a steady flow throughout your system. Air filters should be changed every 1 to 3 months, depending on how often your furnace runs and the air quality in your home.
Blocked vents or ductwork: Closed or partially closed vents prevent airflow, and clogged or damaged ductwork can do the same. Someone may have closed the louvers in the vents to keep them comfortable, or the louvers may have rusted or been damaged over the years. Ductwork can separate or collapse, both of which restrict airflow. Separated ductwork can be reconnected, and collapsed sections can be replaced.
Wrong size furnace: A heating system that is too small or too large for your home affects how air is distributed. Lockmer Sheet Metal's experts can determine whether you have the right-sized unit for your home.
Troubleshooting Pilot Light and Ignition Failures
A furnace that blows cold air could indicate an ignition failure.
The first way to troubleshoot this issue is to ensure your thermostat is set to "heat" and the blower to "auto." If your fan is set to "on," it will blow constantly whether the heater is running or not.
In furnaces built before approximately 2010, the pilot light ignites the fire when the furnace kicks on. If the pilot light has been turned off or blown out by a draft, your furnace will not ignite.
Modern furnaces feature an electronic ignitor that can malfunction if it becomes dirty or if components fail. Carbon can accumulate on the ignitor, which can be cleaned, but ignitors are sensitive and can be damaged if you are unsure what you are doing. Clogged sensors or damaged components in the ignitor could also prevent it from working, requiring an HVAC specialist to repair.
Identifying Strange Noises and Mechanical Wear
It's a pretty funny scene in "A Christmas Story" when the family's old furnace bangs and spews smoke and ash as the dad's inappropriate language hails from the basement, but strange banging, whistling, and squealing from your heater is no laughing matter.
Furnaces in the Butte area are put through the Olympic trials of heating strain during our harsh winters. The wear and tear of the years causes stress on nearly every moving part. Homeowners might be able to address some of these issues by tightening loose belts or cleaning dirty parts. But many of these noises could be signs of serious issues growing within your heating unit.
Regular maintenance by an experienced HVAC technician will detect problems that could lead to catastrophic furnace failure, leaving you stranded without heat on the harshest days of winter.
Conclusion: Reliable Heating System Repair in Butte, MT
Maintaining awareness of your furnace's performance during the cold winter months helps ensure your family's comfort and safety. While we encourage you to address issues promptly when you detect them, rest assured that the experts at Lockmer Sheet Metal are committed to keeping you ahead of potential problems with your heating system.
Our technicians will be on-site quickly to help in the event of an emergency failure, or we can perform routine inspections and maintenance on your system to ensure you sleep comfortably at night, knowing your furnace has your back. Contact us today for emergency service or a preventive inspection.
Image credit: // Shutterstock // Mikhail Sedov