…and How to Prevent Them
Metro Detroit, like much of the country, is experiencing record-setting cold snaps – stressing out homeowners who want to protect their heating systems against frigid outdoor temps. Unfortunately, extended bouts of such cold weather can expose hidden weaknesses in your system, triggering unexpected failures and spiking energy bills.
The good news is, you can prevent many of these issues with regular maintenance, smart daily habits, and seasonal tune ups from a professional HVAC technician in Metro Detroit. Here’s a look at some of the most common heating problems causes by extended cold snaps and what you can do about them.
Overworked Furnaces and Increased Fuel Usage
When faced with plunging outdoor temperatures, your heating system has to work a lot harder than usual to maintain indoor comfort. This increased demand strains your unit and reduces efficiency, leading to more frequent cycling and higher fuel consumption.
- Why it happens: In the face of cold exterior temps, heat is quickly lost through walls, windows, and doors. This makes your furnace have to run harder and longer, burning more fuel – especially if your filters are dirty or the components are worn.
- How to prevent it: Schedule regular maintenance and tune-ups as needed. Ideally, this should be done before winter chills hit, but if you have a concern about your heating system, don’t hesitate to reach out to your trusted Michigan HVAC professional.
Catching minor issues before they become big problems is the best course of action. Replace filters each month to keep up with demand, and install a smart thermostat for convenience and energy savings.
Frozen Condensate Lines and Safety Shutoffs
Condensate lines are responsible for removing moisture created during combustion. However, these plastic pipes are quite narrow so when exposed to wind, ice, and plummeting temps, they can freeze. The result? Water backs up and triggers furnace safety switches, shutting your system down at the worst possible time.
- Prevention tips: Properly insulate your condensate lines, and have your HVAC tech check routing and insulation.
Heat Pump Challenges
Heat pumps are particularly vulnerable during extreme cold. That’s because they’re designed to only operate efficiently above 20°F. With lower temps, they have to work harder and they’re not as efficient. They may also have to rely on backup electric heat, which adds to wear of the system not to mention drives up energy costs.
- Preventive care: Clear your outdoor unit of snow and ice, and have your HVAC tech clean the coils to maintain airflow. For the future, you may want to install a hybrid system, which is a heat pump combined with a furnace to better tolerate Michigan’s frigid winters.
Poor Airflow and Uneven Heating
Blocked air filters or obstructed vents restrict airflow. As a result, your furnace has to run longer, unevenly heating rooms and putting added strain on blowers and motors. You may assume it’s best to close vents in unused rooms to save energy when in fact this can elevate ductwork pressure and reduce overall efficiency.
- Best practices: Keep vents and returns open and unobstructed. Replace or clean filters regularly. Get a ductwork inspection, which can reveal disconnected ductwork or leaks.
Old or Malfunctioning Thermostats
Inaccurate, poorly placed, or outdated thermostats can cause your system to struggle to hold steady temperatures during cold snaps.
- Prevention: Make sure the thermostat is accurate and change batteries as needed. Consider upgrading to a programmable or smart thermostat, which automatically adjusts to occupancy or weather patterns.
Pipes at Risk of Freezing
During cold snaps, there’s always a risk of frozen or burst pipes. Water lines on exterior walls or in unheated spaces can freeze, expand, and break, causing flooding and costly damage.
- Keep pipes safe: Insulate exposed piping, turn on faucets to a slow drip during extreme cold, keep indoor temperatures stable, and open cabinets near sinks to circulate air.
Why Preventive Maintenance is Your Best Line of Defense
The best way to prevent cold-weather heating breakdowns is through proactive care, such as:
- Seasonal HVAC inspections
- Furnace tune ups
- Ductwork inspections and sealing
- Testing of carbon monoxide detectors and fire alarms
Record arctic blasts can pose quite a challenge to homeowners, but they don’t have to leave you out in the cold!
Schedule Furnace Maintenance With Warm or Breezy Today
Our heating specialists in Metro Detroit can help with furnace tune-ups, emergency repairs, or preventative HVAC maintenance. Schedule your visit at (586) 335-3044 today.