The recent climatic trend might be a few warmer days, but winter still hasn’t forgotten how to bring the deep freeze in Oswego, Yorkville, Naperville, Aurora and Plainfield (IL). There’s a good chance your furnace has been running often during our recent stretches of single-digit temps and sub-zero wind chills.
Ideally you already had your furnace inspected and cleaned before the major cold. If not, there’s never a wrong time to have your system checked by professionals. If you haven’t yet scheduled your annual maintenance, make a quick call to Air Dynamics – we’ll help ensure your heating system continues to perform as you need it!
It’s also good to be aware of some common problems that tend to arise during winter. If you notice any of them or one shows up with poor timing, you can be informed and act swiftly for a solution.
The following are a few of the top heating issues to watch for when the weather is cold.
Winter Furnace Repair: No or Insufficient Heat
You begin to feel colder than you should while you’re in the house. You start by checking the thermostat settings and the battery level, which appear to be fine. However, when the heating system runs, the house continues not getting warmer. You might even feel cool air from the vents.
There can be different causes of this. A clogged or dirty air filter might be slowing the airflow and making the furnace work a lot harder. It’s also possible the pilot light or the ignition system is malfunctioning. In other cases, there might be something wrong with the furnace’s electric components.
Still other problem sources might be:
blocked air vents
leaks or excess debris in the ducts
heating system too small for the size of the house
As a matter of being thorough, be sure to check the air filter and replace it if needed. You can also scan the house for anything that might be obstructing the vents or registers. If after those steps you’re still not receiving proper heat, let us know and we can further discuss the situation.
Winter Furnace Repair: Uneven Heat
Cold spots and uneven heating in the house are frequent problems in winter. One room might feel well-heated while another seems like it could store groceries. Causes of uneven heating can include:
leaks in the ductwork. Warm air might be escaping before it reaches particular rooms.
blocked vents or registers. Furniture, curtains, boxes or shoes could be preventing warm air from being distributed.
large windows. If not sealed, bigger windows such as bay, bow or picture windows can cause drafts and allow cold air to transfer into the house.
poor insulation. If you’re finding that cold spots or uneven heat continues to be something you notice each year, bad or compromised insulation could be a factor.
Another cause of cold spots and uneven heat can be the placement of the thermostat. If the therm is located in a warmer area or one that’s exposed to a lot of sunlight, it might tell the heating system to turn off before the whole house is sufficiently heated.
Some homes also may have a layout that can make even heating more challenging. Because heat rises, in certain cases it might escape the main floor. To manage this, some homeowners might include space heaters, but a better long-term solution can be installing mini-splits (ductless heat pumps). These units allow you to maintain preferred temperatures in different rooms without having to run the HVAC throughout the house.
Winter Furnace Repair: Short-Cycling
When the furnace turns on and off frequently throughout a cold day, the heating system is short-cycling. Some common causes can be:
dirty air filter
malfunctioning thermostat
incorrectly sized furnace for the home
dirty or faulty flame sensor
malfunctioning limit switch
blocked flue or exhaust
If left unaddressed, short-cycling can place extra wear and tear on the heating system in addition to impacting your comfort and increasing your energy bills. If you notice short-cycling, be sure to let us know at Air Dynamics – we can help resolve the issue.
Winter Furnace Repair: Pilot Light
Homeowners with a gas furnace in Oswego, Yorkville, Naperville, Aurora or Plainfield can sometimes run into trouble with the unit’s pilot light or ignition system. If there is an issue with the light or ignition, the furnace can’t produce heat.
Possible causes of no ignition or a failing pilot light can be a drafty chimney or vent pipe or the build-up of dirt or soot on the pilot-light mouth. More-serious contributing factors can be:
cracked heat exchanger or thermocouple
clogged or leaking gas valves
low gas supply
If you detect a problem with the pilot light or the ignition, simply call us to further discuss what might be wrong as well as how to resolve it.
Winter Furnace Repair: Failing Blower Motor
The fan motor pushes heated air through your ducts. If the motor fails, you may start to note uneven heating or a weakened airflow through the vents. Issues with the blower motor failure are often the result of general system wear, an aging furnace or problems with the motor belt.
A blower-motor failure can be corrected with the support of a trained HVAC technician such as those on the team at Air Dynamics. A trained technician can inspect the fan motor, troubleshoot exactly what the problem is and replace the worn parts or repair the motor to get your furnace back on track with the performance you need.
Winter Furnace Repair: Contact Us Today
Air Dynamics is a rooted and dedicated community service provider. As such, we care about your comfort, safety and air quality at home during the winter in Oswego, Yorkville, Naperville, Aurora or Plainfield (IL). If you have questions or concerns about a furnace that may need repair, just give us a call at (630) 731-1550!
If you’re an especially proactive, cost-conscious homeowner in in Oswego, Yorkville, Naperville, Aurora or Plainfield, inquire about our All Inclusive Maintenance Program with exclusive member service and discount!