The last thing you may want to hear during winter is that your HVAC systems have developed a problem. This is enough to create panic in your home because getting a technician over this period to come and fix your heating system may not be as easy due to long queues and high repair costs. However, when problems come, you have to be prepared to face them and it is good if you know a little bit about them because this can go a long way into preparing you.
The following are some of the common problems families experience during winter and what to do about them:
Frozen Pipes
One of the common characteristics of winter is a drop in temperatures and accumulation of ice. When this happens, objects such as coil and pipes tend to freeze and may even stop functioning altogether. This can also cause your heating system to break down. When this happens, you can use portable heaters to heat your pipes and keep your family warm as you contact HVAC specialists.
Uneven Temperature and Air Flow
It can be irritating when you discover that some rooms within your home are colder while others are warmer. This problem may be caused by holes or cracks around window seals or even blockages in vents and ductwork. Adjusting the vents may solve this problem, but you can also check the air filter and if it is dirty, clean or change it.
If you can have an energy audit performed on your home, it will help you identify the areas where heat loss is happening and get them fixed.
Sudden Heat Loss
At times, there could be power in your home, but from out of the blues your furnace quits. If this happens, quickly check the circuit breakers so as to verify if one has tripped. Where this is not the case, you could be experiencing an electrical or thermostat problem. if you cannot handle any of these, kindly keep off and have a technician do the inspection.
Carbon Monoxide Leakage
Carbon monoxide is a silent killer and a hard-to-detect gas. It is usually emitted through the cracks where your heat exchanger has rusted. This is a problem that is common in furnaces that are beyond 10 years in age. As a precaution, you should have a carbon monoxide detector positioned in every floor within your home irrespective of the age of your furnace. You can also have your furnace inspected so as to ascertain if this is really the problem.
Furnaces Cycling On and Off
Malfunctioning thermostats are one of the major reasons why furnaces continually cycle on and off. If you can check and replace the thermostat, this should solve the problem. However, if this is not the case, the furnace itself could have faulty components within it. For instance, when the components inside the furnace heat up too quickly as a result of inadequate air flow, the emergency stop system of the furnace may be inactivated.
Change the filter and see whether the problem is corrected. Where no change is observed, a HVAC professional can help you inspect the furnace to determine the cause behind the obstructed air flow.
