Common Winter HVAC Issues

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Just like the frequent Game of Thrones saying, winter is coming and it’s much sooner than you think. Despite a range of unseasonably warm temperatures followed by cold spells, the winter months will bring cold temperatures back to the area and many common winter HVAC issues with it. These cold temperatures, freezes, and rare occasions of snow can bring a ton of issues for your HVAC systems. Here are a few common winter HVAC issues:

Frozen Pipes

If not prepared properly, frozen pipes can cause your home plenty of issues that can include pipe bursts, radiator failure, or even a complete heating unit failure. On nights of a possible deep freeze, it’s imperative to drip your faucets enough to keep the water flowing to prevent a freeze. If left unattended, a burst pipe can lead to malfunctioning toilets, compromised showers, or loss of tap water. These repairs can become costly but can be avoided with insulated piping and keeping a thermostat to at least 65 degrees. It is important to tune up your furnace to keep your water pipes protected and running at full capacity.

Uneven Airflow and Temperature

Your home’s air circulation can vary depending on the season. For example, cool air falls, which is why the best practice to cool your home in the summer months is to close floor vents and open ceiling vents. For the winter, the opposite works best. Closing ceiling vents in favor of floor vents will let the hot air rise and warm your home quicker. Dirty filters are the main cause of uneven airflow, but can also faulty/improper ductwork can be factors as well. For more information on what great ductwork looks like, read this article by Tuckey HVAC.

Malfunctioning Heat Pump

Some homes use the warmth from exterior heat pumps, but these appliances can be damaged or perform poorly due to the harsh external winter conditions. Issues like broken fan motors or coil blockage can lead to faults in this appliance. Signs like a sudden loss of heat, not enough heat, blowing cold air, incorrect cycling, or odd noises can point toward potential issues.

Dirty Heater Filters

Dirty or clogged filters are not limited to just the summer months but still can cause your HVAC system issues if not properly taken care of. Dust, dirt, and other debris can cause decreased airflow. This leads to reduced warmth in your home. It’s important to replace any bent or discolored filters with new ones to maximize airflow.
Regular HVAC maintenance on your system is vital to ensuring you can extend the unit’s lifespan for as long as possible, saving you money. Instead of wearing it down by forcing it to use the same outdated parts over and over, your system can work efficiently as it’s given care and attention and thoroughly cleaned each year.

Schedule Your HVAC Maintenance Today!

If you have any questions involving how to best cool or heat your home, call Hammock’s AC and speak with one of our seasoned technicians. We can inform, inspect, or repair any cooling or heating system in most cases quickly. We’ll improve your home’s indoor air quality and get your back to the comfort you deserve. To get started, you can call us or fill out a contact form today.