Why isn’t my furnace keeping up this winter?

Jan 15, 2021 | Blog, Furnace, HVAC, Maintenance, Tips & Tricks

During the winter here in the greater Central Ohio area, it can be a hassle to have to deal with a furnace that does not keep up with the cold.

So what does a homeowner do when their heating system is on the fritz?

Remember you can always call our team here at Delaware Heating & Air to get your system back up and running like it should. We are always standing by at the phone number listed below. In the meantime, to troubleshoot the issue on your own, we present the following list of things to check up on if your furnace is struggling to keep up with the cold:

1) Check your thermostat first

To locate your heating problem, begin by checking your thermostat. Check its power source, or batteries, first and after that check the area surrounding the thermostat to make sure is clean. If this doesn’t solve the problem, next you’ll want to look inside the thermostat. If there are any cobwebs or dirt or dust inside clean it out using a soft brush that’s dry. If this doesn’t work, use an independent thermometer to determine whether the thermostat is reading the correct temperature.

In any case, if you have an older thermostat or if it’s not working properly, now is an excellent time for replacement. Older furnaces are prone to breakdowns and other problems. They can be inefficient, and the problem is only doing to get worse as it gets older. Furthermore, you might be surprised at how affordable today’s smart thermostats and programmable thermostats are and how quickly and easily we can install one! Not only do they look great and work well with other smart home technology, but they also save you money by helping you cut down on energy costs year round.

2) Have you replaced your air filters recently?

Throughout each and every winter heating season, homeowners should be checking their HVAC filters on a monthly basis. In some cases, they’ll need to be changed every month to two months. When furnace filters become dirty or old, they can prevent proper airflow and wreak havoc on your furnace and make your heating bills rise. Because furnace filters don’t cost much, are super easy to replace and they allow your furnace to work like it should, staying on top of this is essential. Doing so ensures your expensive system has plenty of airflow that enables it to do its job.

3) Do you have heat escaping anywhere?

One reason why a furnace might struggle to keep up with cold weather is because heat might be escaping somewhere. Poor ventilation, in addition to air drafts and air leaks, send that expensive heat right out the window — or door — with your hard-earned money. If you suspect this is the reason for your home heating problem, or if you’re not sure about your insulation levels in your attic or elsewhere, you should do some checking in certain areas around the house.

When it comes to losing heated air, the usual suspects include chimneys, windows, doorways, ductwork, pipes and anything else that might be “penetrating” the structure of your home, naturally or unnaturally (like dryer exhaust vents, spickets, skylights, etc). For future reference, checking these areas are things we suggest to include in any normal residential winterization plan.

4) Have you neglected seasonal maintenance

Our seasonal maintenance service, which includes furnace tune ups, is essential to the health and longevity of a home heating system or furnace. As such, homeowners should have their furnace tuned up by a certified furnace technician once a year at least. On a side note, the same goes for cooling equipment, or air conditioning.

If you are interested in having one of our friendly team members to take a look at your furnace and determine why it’s not keeping up with Ohio’s cold weather, give us a call today for an appointment. Otherwise, if you know your system is getting old and simply isn’t able to keep you and your loved ones warm throughout another winter, our friendly and sales team is standing by. We’d be happy to help you find the perfect home heating system for your needs and your budget, with fast and easy financing — and no sales pressure whatsoever!

Furnace not keeping up with the cold weather? Don’t delay calling us today!

Furnaces are an unsung hero of the modern home. Our heating equipment works tirelessly for us throughout the most extreme weather here in the Delaware County area. Because of their complexity and value, there’s simply no substitute for the help of a certified heating expert who knows what your system needs. Our trusted, friendly certified furnace technicians perform maintenance quickly and affordably. In addition to keeping your system running smoothly like it should, this will give you peace of mind you can’t find anywhere online.

To give your heating equipment the love and care it deserves and needs, call Delaware Heating & Air today at 740-227-8302, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!

We hope to hear from you soon!