While winter brings fun activities like holiday parties and ice skating, it wouldn’t be possible to enjoy the coldest months of the year without one critical home component: your furnace. When temperatures plummet, your furnace, heat pump, or boiler keeps your home warm and safe, which is why many people struggle to prepare their HVAC for winter.
According to Ashley Smith, Fox 19 meteorologist here in Cincinnati, she says even in an El Nino year we should all still prepare for harsh temperature drops.
"There will be dramatic wings in temperatures meaning a frigid outbreak or two will be possible this winter," says Smith.
Although many homeowners are nervous about which tasks may be necessary, the right steps help your furnace to perform properly all winter long. The team at Thomas & Galbraith Heating, Cooling & Plumbing understand that HVAC issues can be stressful, and they want to do everything they can to empower proactive homeowners.
Use this convenient guide to learn which steps to take to get your furnace and air conditioning system ready for winter. Find out how to minimize wear and tear to your furnace, and prepare your cooling system for essential storage. Remember, if you need help repairing, replacing, or maintaining your furnace, contact us here at Thomas & Galbraith Heating, Cooling & Plumbing. We are happy to help!
One of the best things you can do for your furnace is to schedule a furnace tune-up before the coldest parts of winter. Ideally performed in the fall, furnaces, and boilers should be checked, cleaned, and repaired once a year, while heat pumps need tune-ups in the spring for air conditioning and in the fall for heating. Here are a few reasons heating maintenance visits are so essential.
Furnaces have a tough job to do. When the blower fan is running, your system pulls air in from the returns in your home, filters all of that air, and moves it towards the heat exchanger for quick, efficient heating. However, if air filters are dirty or clogged from particulates in your space, your system can struggle.
Air filters are designed to keep the air that you breathe clean and comfortable, while also protecting the furnace itself. If filters become dirty, grime can blow into the furnace cabinet where it can harm efficiency. Delicate furnace components like igniters and burners can become damaged, and your system will need to run longer and work harder to produce heat, which could cause short cycling or a full shutdown of your furnace.
To counteract these problems, air filters should be replaced regularly. Air filters should be replaced at least once every month to 90 days for most filters, but this guideline varies depending on which filters you like to use and your individual household. Large families and homeowners with pets may need to replace their furnace filter once a month, while homeowners who live alone or who don’t occupy the space permanently may not need to change their filter as frequently.
Before winter arrives, take a few seconds to switch out your furnace filter. Get into the habit of checking your filter every few weeks, and replace your filter whenever it appears visibly dirty. If you are planning on doing any painting or renovating this winter, replace your filter after renovation, since these projects can kick up extra dust. Keep extra filters on hand so you can always switch it out if you need to.
Cold air can’t hold as much humidity as warm air, which is why many homes become dry during the winter. Unfortunately, low humidity can also make your home feel colder, which can drive up furnace use. To counteract this problem, many Cincinnati, Ohio residents turn to whole-home humidifiers to replenish airborne moisture. Here are a few tips for preparing your humidifier for wintertime use.
As your humidifier runs, monitor the humidity levels in your home carefully to screen for problems. Consider using a standalone hygrometer to ensure that the humidity setting on your humidifier matches the actual moisture levels in your home. If the system develops problems, it may release too much or too little humidity into your air. Always consult with an HVAC professional at the first sign of humidifier problems to avoid issues like water damage and mold growth.
Professional HVAC tune-ups can help the inside of your furnace to stay clean, but it’s your responsibility as a homeowner to keep the outside of your furnace and your utility closet tidy. Here are a few tasks to check off your list to reduce safety concerns during the heating season.
When you are ready to start heating your home instead of cooling the space, take the time to check and update your thermostat programming for winter. Oftentimes, families find that their ambient temperature preferences can vary between summer and winter, so take the time to update your system. Here are a few tips for adjusting your thermostat for winter weather.
Heat pumps and air conditioners have an outdoor unit that requires routine care. During the off-season, air conditioners should be protected so they turn on properly in the fall, and heat pumps should be clean and ready to go for their busiest season. Here are a few things to take care of outdoors:
If you use a boiler that uses hot water radiators, it’s important to bleed the valves on your system before turning on the heating system. Bleed the valves slowly to release pent-up air inside the system. You may hear a gurgling noise as your system releases this air.
Since rust needs air and moisture to corrode metal, bleeding valves is crucial for protecting your boiler. Bleeding radiator valves also helps your system to heat more efficiently, since the entire radiator will heat evenly. When air is allowed to remain in the system, it can create an air lock that prevents the top section of the radiator from warming properly.
Fireplaces give your family the chance to enjoy a cozy fire on those cold, snowy days. However, if you plan to use your fireplace, you should have your chimney professionally inspected. According to The National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 211 standards, all fireplaces, chimneys, and vent work should be checked annually to make sure the structure is stable, vented properly, and free of potentially combustible deposits.
Additionally, Chimney Safety Institute of America states that any open masonry fireplace should be professionally cleaned of deposits once accumulations reach 1/8th of an inch worth of soot buildup. By scheduling this routine cleaning, you can prevent chimney fires that could spread to the rest of your home. Have your manufactured fireplace cleaned anytime buildup is noticeable.
The smoke and CO2 sensors inside your home are part of an essential early alert system that protects your family. Check to make sure your equipment is operational during the upcoming heating season by taking care of these tasks:
Your HVAC system is like the respiratory system of your home. In order for the system to “breathe,” it has to “inhale” new air from your air returns, before it can warm the air and “exhale” warm air into the rooms of your house. However, if your air supplies are blocked or vents are trapped, your system won’t work properly. Shut vents can cause furnace short cycling or overheating, and blocked air returns can put strain on the “lungs” of your system, the furnace itself, damaging the unit. Follow these tips for ensuring proper airflow throughout your home.
Before the heating season begins, check exposed ductwork for problems. Gaps, disjointed seams, and rips in the metal could allow heated air to pool into spaces where the warmth can’t be used, while simultaneously pulling in cold air. This issue can create massive energy efficiency problems, driving up the price of your monthly power bill. In fact, studies have shown that the average home loses up to 30% of its energy efficiency from leaks in ductwork.
Check ducts for any issues and seal the lines appropriately with mastic or aluminum HVAC tape. If you spot widespread issues, request professional duct sealing. During these appointments, professionals perform pressure testing to spot leaks, and repair gaps, holes, or damaged lines to prevent heat loss. If you find yourself asking, “How can I keep my home warmer this winter,” duct sealing may be the answer you are looking for.
The first cold days of winter are typically the busiest for HVAC contractors since many homeowners find out for the first time that season that their furnace isn’t operating properly. However, if you want to get a head start on the rest of your fellow Cincinnati, OH neighbors, test out your furnace early on in the season.
Test your furnace a minimum of three times before the weather is cold enough to demand 24/7 heating. Trying your furnace multiple times gives you the chance to see how the system performs during heating cycles, and to see if your furnace can keep up with the setting on your thermostat. Here are a few tips for testing your furnace or heat pump:
Good relationships rely on communication, and your relationship with your furnace is no different. If your furnace is trying to tell you something and you aren’t available to listen, you could miss the early signs of trouble. Here are a few sounds you may hear that could indicate furnace problems, and when to reach out for help.
Routine furnace tune-ups are crucial for uncovering issues that could halt your furnace, heat pump, or boiler. While many problems may not need to be addressed immediately, you should always fix anything you can as soon as possible. Timely repairs can help you to prevent collateral damage inside your furnace caused by running a damaged system. Additionally, repairing furnace trouble early can help you to maximize efficiency, which can save you money all winter long.
Anytime you learn about any issue with your HVAC system, ask to schedule the repairs right away. In addition to protecting your furnace, you may also find that early repairs are easier to schedule and that you won’t have to worry about emergency heating outages in the middle of the winter.
Keep in mind that HVAC systems tend to have the most problems during the last two years of their usable lifespan. On average, conventional furnaces last 15 to 20 years, and heat pumps last an average of 12 years, since they are used for heating and cooling. If your furnace is having trouble and it is approaching the end of its life, consider putting your money into a full system replacement instead of a repair. New systems are more efficient, which could save you money during the season.
Your furnace relies on the air handler’s blower motor and fan to circulate air throughout your home. The fan is connected to the blower motor with a belt, which generates the rotational power to move the fan blades. Unfortunately, fan belts can fray, crack, break, or loosen, which can halt movement and stop your furnace. While fan belts are inspected during annual tune-ups, it’s a good idea to check the component yourself before winter to protect your furnace. Here are a few tips for inspecting your fan belt.
Condensing furnaces are highly efficient systems that are designed with a secondary heat exchanger that absorbs and transmits more heat. Since exhaust fumes spend more time within the furnace itself, they have time to cool significantly and condense into water. As a result, condensing furnaces require condensate drainage systems to move liquid outside or into a floor drain. Standard furnaces send exhaust right up a flue and don’t create condensation simply because the fumes aren’t inside the system for long enough.
While properly operating condensing furnaces don’t typically create problems, issues with the condensing drip pan or drainage lines can allow moisture to build up or pool near the furnace, which can cause water damage. When water pools inside the condensate pan, it can also trip a limit switch, which stops your entire furnace. Checking to make sure condensation is exiting your furnace appropriately is crucial for your system.
To access your system’s condensate system, open your furnace access door and locate the drip pan. The pan is typically connected to the PVC drain line that exits the system. On a furnace installed vertically, the pan should sit below the heat exchanger. Horizontally installed systems have a drip pan that sits below the unit. Carefully remove the pan to look for problems. Here are a few things to check for:
If you have a furnace that relies on liquid propane (aka LP) or heating oil, you need to make sure you have enough fuel for winter. While some systems aren’t impacted by running out of fuel, it can be dangerous for other systems, and difficult to get if fuel delivery companies become busy during the peak of the season.
Liquid propane should be refilled as soon as your system reaches 20 % capacity. Furnaces that use liquid propane typically use a gallon of propane for every hour of heating. While running out of LP will immediately prevent your system from warming your home, it can also be hard on your system. Propane furnaces that run out of fuel are required by the National Fuel Gas Code to be inspected before they are refilled, since running on empty can cause water to accumulate inside the tank. When water forms inside the tank, it can cause rust and corrosion, since metal reacts with air and moisture. If the system is refilled without checking for these problems, it could cause a dangerous gas leak. Professionals will also need to re-light the pilot light before restarting the furnace.
Heating oil tanks should be refilled once tank readings reach the 2/5 mark on the gauge. Running an oil furnace uses anywhere from two to five gallons of heating oil per day. Running out of heating oil won’t harm your furnace, but it will hamper your efforts to heat your home. Condensation can form on the interior walls of the fuel tank, which can generate rust and bacterial growth. To ward off this problem, fuel lines will need to be bled after refilling the oil to prevent rust accumulation and to improve efficiency. Oil filters may also need to be cleaned or replaced to eradicate system sludge.
To avoid problems, have your fuel tank topped off before the start of the heating season, and consider using a remote tank monitoring device to keep track of your liquid propane fuel levels. These devices attach to your fuel tank and give you instant access to level readings so you can order refills appropriately.
If your home has hot and cold spots, you could benefit from a zoned heating system. Zoning involves installing supplemental thermostats, temperature sensors, and even extra HVAC equipment throughout your home to warm the space according to your preferences.
Areas throughout your home can be separated into climate zones based on their use, room layout, and the people who use the space most frequently. Your HVAC system will be fitted with a zoned heating and cooling panel, and the system may be retrofitted with zoning dampers to control the flow of heated air.
Zoned heating is particularly useful in large or multi-level homes, which can experience large temperature fluctuations from room to room. Rooms with lots of westward-facing windows and homes with second stories can feel warmer and require less heat, while shaded or underground basement rooms may be cooler. Chat with an HVAC professional to see if zoned heating is right for your house.
Insulation is like an internal blanket for your home that helps to hold in heat generated on the interior. However, if parts of your home aren’t insulated properly, they can allow carefully heated air to escape outside, wasting energy and money. Increasing insulation throughout your home can ensure that the heat your furnace or heat pump generates stays inside, where it can keep your living space warm and comfortable.
Proactive homeowners can add batts of insulation to attics and crawlspaces or turn to a professional to supplement the area with blown-in or spray foam insulation. Some companies can even inject spray foam insulation through small holes created in drywall to prevent heat loss through the walls of your home.
You should also consider having your ductwork insulated to keep warmth from leaching through the sides of metal runs. Insulating ducts can lower heat loss significantly and ensure that heated air pushed throughout your home is as warm as possible when it arrives.
To take some strain off of your furnace and improve the comfort of your home, put your ceiling fans to work. Ceiling fans are designed with a switch on the motor casing that gives you the chance to change the rotational direction of the fan blades.
During the summer, run your ceiling fan counterclockwise to create windchill. During the winter, run your fan clockwise to create an updraft that pushes risen warm air downwards towards you, where it can keep you comfortable. When using ceiling fans, be careful to turn them off whenever rooms aren’t being used.
Keep your home as warm, comfortable, and cozy as possible this winter with help from Thomas & Galbraith Heating, Cooling & Plumbing. With an innate understanding of Cincinnati, OH weather and a team of NATE-certified professionals, you won’t find yourself asking “Where do I turn for HVAC help?”
Instead, you can reach out day or night for the heating repairs and maintenance you need for your system to run at peak capacity. Contact us today to schedule a tune-up or emergency service. We would love to help!