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5 Common Winter HVAC Problems
Posted: February 13, 2023 by Hey Neighbor

Now that the coziness of family time during the holidays has passed, Mother Nature is doing what she does best - bring on the freezing temperatures! And as homeowners find out all too often, cold weather and plummeting temperatures can lead to HVAC problems. But don't worry! Our neighborly HVAC technicians share expert tips on regaining warmth when the five most frequent winter issues happen.

1. This room's hot, that room's cold, another one's drafty.

Do you feel that some of your rooms are colder than others? This is common, especially in winter, when warmth can be elusive. So, what's happening? Your heating system could be distributing warm air unevenly due to a variety of factors. Here are some simple tricks you can do to try and remedy the situation.

First - and we give our customers this recommendation frequently - change your air filter regularly. A dirty or clogged filter can cause all sorts of issues. Second, inspect your vents and returns to ensure they aren't covered by furniture or other bulky items. If these tricks solved the uneven airflow, great! If not, your problem is probably something else - a blocked fan, an air leak, or even an obstruction inside a vent. Don't panic! Give our team a call, and we'll come to diagnose the issue in a jiffy.

2. The thermostat needs attention, stat!

Believe it or not, sometimes your thermostat is to blame for insufficient warmth. Homeowners often find that dead batteries or faulty wiring inside the thermostat are causing the problem. If you just changed the batteries and the wiring doesn't appear to be the issue, your thermostat may need to be cleaned and recalibrated. Find your thermostat's owner's manual and follow the proper steps for cleaning and calibrating (our team can do this for you).

If these solutions don't solve the issue, it could be time for a replacement unit. The good news is that upgrading to a smart or programmable thermostat won't just improve your airflow problems but also boost your energy efficiency and save you money. To learn what type of thermostat might work best for your living space, or to seek help with other thermostat problems, feel free to call the Hey Neighbor LLC | Ron the Furnace Man team for advice.

3. Your furnace's ignitor isn't lighting or won't stay lit.

If your home is heated using gas, you rely on an ignitor to start your heating system. Some systems have a continuously running pilot light, while others only ignite when the thermostat sends a signal to start the heating process. Regardless, without a properly working ignitor, you aren't going to get any heat. So, what's the problem? If your furnace won't start, the issue could be a dirty or damaged sensor. We don't recommend cleaning the sensor yourself. Instead, call us out for a professional inspection. If it's more than a faulty sensor, our technicians will assess your ignitor situation and solve the problem straight away.

4. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a constant concern.

As you probably know, carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly. And while it's wise to have at least one CO detector in your home, these detectors are crucial for homeowners who heat their homes with gas. If you have a CO detector installed and it's chirping a single, short beep, this indicates its battery is low and should be replaced right away. Replacing the batteries is a simple fix and should never be neglected.

However, if you hear four long beeps and then a pause, this indicates that significant levels of carbon monoxide have been detected inside your home. You should leave and call for help immediately - and remember your pets. Remember, CO is called the silent killer because it's nearly impossible to detect without a device watching over your family's safety. Taking good care of your CO detector can save your life!

5. Your heat pump isn't pumping enough heat.

A heat pump is a clever, energy-efficient device that heats and cools your home. But, sometimes, winter weather can take its toll on a heat pump. Common winter HVAC issues for heat pumps include low refrigerant, an obstructed coil from snow or ice, a dirty air filter, and a faulty starter capacitor. Most homeowners can handle a simple air filter change, but if you suspect your heat pump is experiencing a more complex issue, call our team for professional service, day or night.

Keep your HVAC system healthy in 2023 and beyond!

All of us at Hey Neighbor LLC | Ron the Furnace Man hope the new year has been a great one for your family so far. As the year unfolds, we want you to know that our friendly team of experienced specialists is here for all your HVAC needs - heating, cooling, indoor air quality issues, and more - 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In addition, we want to remind you that 2023 is bringing some big changes to the world of HVAC. From SEER2 energy regulations to major home improvement savings you can enjoy thanks to the new Inflation Reduction Act, many exciting changes are happening that'll help make your home more comfortable than ever.

As always, if you have questions of any kind regarding your family's comfort or you simply need to schedule that seasonal system tune-up, call us today. We're here for you, because that's how neighbors should treat neighbors!™