It’s December and the weather has finally begun to change. The temperature has dropped, and Boise experienced its first taste of snow. This also means it’s time to crank up the furnace to stay warm. With increased demand, more issues can pop up. Keep an eye out for these five common furnace issues:
- Dirty Filters. Dirty furnace filters are such an easy fix, unless they’ve been left for months. The dirtier the air filter, the harder the system must work. This results in high energy bills and possible broken or damaged furnace parts.
- Poorly Calibrated Thermostat. This issue can happen year round, but is noticed often in winter while trying to get the house to a comfortable temperature. If the thermostat is poorly calibrated, the furnace will cycle frequently, increasing the energy bill and likely wearing out faster.
- Incomplete Combustion. Incomplete combustion can occur because of a whole variety of reasons, such as blocked vent systems, damaged heat exchanger, etc. This produces carbon monoxide, which can poison those in the home. To prevent incomplete combustion, have the furnace serviced each year. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, install carbon monoxide detectors in the home.
- Dry Air. Winter can make the air inside the home very dry. This can wreak havoc on skin and sinuses. To eliminate dry air, invest in some humidifiers for the bedrooms.
- New Noises. As the furnace begins working harder, it might begin to make strange noises. If this happens, be aware that it could mean there’s something loose or broken inside of the system.
These five furnace issues are dangerous, but can be prevented with regular furnace maintenance and filter checks. If the furnace begins acting up this winter, call the HVAC pros at Diamond Heating and Cooling for assistance.
Benefits of Buying a New AC Now (in Winter!)
While everyone is focused on heating right now, it might be the ideal time to focus on cooling. If the air conditioner was on its last leg over summer, it might be best to research and purchase a new air conditioner this winter. Here’s why:
- Low Demand. The higher the demand, the higher the costs rise. However, during the cooler months, AC demand is at its lowest. This means homeowners can find an AC unit for a better price than in spring or summer. While they won’t likely be on sale, they won’t cost quite as much as they would in the middle of summer during an emergency.
- Service Interruption. Since the air conditioner isn’t currently being used, installation is no sweat. There’s no disruption in comfort like there can be during a summer installation. There’s no going days without cooling until the unit can be installed.
- Research Time. When homeowners are forced to purchase a new air conditioner due to an emergency in the summer, they might not have as much time to research brands and types. If they focus on finding a new air conditioner when it isn’t needed, they will have more time to find the perfect unit.
After finding and having the perfect air conditioning unit installed, it should be winterized to protect it from cold weather. First, turn off the exterior power to the unit to prevent accidentally turning it on. Then, clean all debris away from the area to prevent it from entering the unit and causing issues later. And lastly, cover it to prolong its life.
Homeowners anticipating the need for a new air conditioner next spring and summer should talk to Diamond Heating and Cooling about it now. Our HVAC experts can guide homeowners through the research process and install the new unit once purchased.
Use our online contact form to get in touch with us today!