During the winter months, you want your home to be a comfortable retreat after a long and tiring day. Especially at night, you rely on your heating system to keep you warm—but unfortunately, you may encounter unexpected and inconvenient cold weather HVAC problems.
No homeowner wants to be surprised by sudden heating system issues. Here are the seven most common HVAC problems during winter to keep an eye out for.
Dirty Air Filters
Central heating systems and heat pumps alike have air filters that help the system run smoothly. It’s crucial to replace your heating system’s air filter regularly (which is about every one to three months). If you don’t, a dirty air filter can lead to a wide array of cold weather HVAC problems.
Common HVAC issues related to dirty filters include decreased energy efficiency and restricted airflow in your home. Restricted airflow can lead to insufficient heating and unexpected furnace repairs. When you replace the air filter, you’ll help your heating system work in peak condition.
Uneven Heating
Uneven heating is one of the most common HVAC problems during winter—and one of the most inconvenient. If you notice that a few rooms in your home get warmer than others, there may be a problem with your heating system. However, a dirty air filter or air leaks can also cause this issue.
Check for potential air leaks around windows and doors; these are areas where cold air is likely to enter your home. Additionally, you might want to inspect ducts and vents for debris.
Faulty Thermostat
If your heating system is acting strangely, a faulty or broken thermostat could be to blame. Faulty wiring or malfunctioning sensors in your thermostat can make it difficult or impossible to control your home’s temperature.
A faulty thermostat is one of the most common HVAC problems during winter, but fortunately, it’s not a complicated fix. Your thermostat may need to be cleaned, calibrated, or replaced by a professional. If you need a new thermostat, there are many models available today—including programmable and WiFi thermostats—that are energy efficient and easy to use.
Carbon Monoxide Leaks
If you have a natural gas furnace, installing carbon monoxide (or CO) detectors is essential. Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that can find its way into your home because of a cracked heat exchanger or damaged furnace.
This is one of the worst cold weather HVAC problems because carbon monoxide can be harmful to your health when present in a significant amount. HVAC professionals can help install CO detectors and check the carbon monoxide levels in your home.
Pilot Light Issues
Most older central heating systems need a pilot light to ignite properly to heat a home. However, if the pilot light flickers or doesn’t burn at all, this can cause your heating system to fail.
A faulty pilot light is often the result of a dirty or damaged flame sensor. However, there’s no need to worry; this is one of the many cold weather HVAC problems an experienced HVAC technician can fix. Your local heating pros can replace or clean the sensor to help get your pilot light burning once again.
Frozen Pipes
Although not necessarily related to HVAC, one of the most common problems during winter is frozen pipes. Even though here in Texas, our winters are milder than most, we still experience bouts of cold fronts and freezing temperatures that can put our pipes at risk of freezing. More specifically, hydronic systems, including steam radiators and water heaters, can fail completely.
Call a professional right away if you suspect your heating units aren’t functioning properly because of frozen pipes.
Contact Us Today!
There are several common HVAC problems during winter that you can encounter. If you notice your heating system not working as it should, the Right Choice is here to help. As a leading AC and furnace repair company in Dallas, TX, we have extensive experience working with heating and cooling systems. We have you covered every month of the year for your heating, air conditioning, and air quality needs.
Contact us to schedule heating repairs near Dallas today!