With winter quickly approaching, furnaces, heat pumps, and boilers will soon be running throughout the day to keep homes throughout Louisville, KY warm, safe, and comfortable. Even with a projected milder El Nino winter this year, local weather experts still say a freezing event is still possible.
"We know from experience that the onset of impactful winter weather can develop quickly and all citizens need to be prepared for snow, ice, and cold temperatures regardless of the pre-season outlook," said Mike Kochasic, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Louisville. "Remember, it only takes one winter storm to cause problems!"
However, before the coldest days arrive, many wonder if their system is up to the task. You’ll want to know, “What can I do to prepare my HVAC unit for winter,” so you can avoid emergency heating repair problems.
Doing what you can to prepare your system also improves efficiency, cutting your monthly utility costs. Make sure your furnace is ready to run by taking the appropriate steps to test, fix, and maintain your HVAC system. By taking the right steps, you won’t have to ask yourself “Who should I call for this heating system breakdown?”
However, anytime you do run into trouble with your furnace, the team at Jarboe’s Heating, Cooling & Plumbing is available to help. Use this guide to prepare your system for the worst, and remember, you can always give Jarboe’s a call if you need heating maintenance, repairs, or a full system replacement.
Like any other home appliance, your HVAC equipment requires maintenance to run its best. Routine heating system tune-ups are perfect for the fall, but if you missed this window, don’t worry—there is still time before the coldest months of winter. Furnaces and boilers should be serviced once a year, and heat pumps should be checked twice a year, once in the fall before the heating season, and once in the spring before air conditioning season. Here are a few benefits of HVAC tune-ups.
The air filters inside your HVAC system trap dirt, dust, fine hairs, and other debris that can damage delicate internal parts, reduce efficiency, and impact your indoor air quality. Air filters should be replaced regularly, depending on the type of air filter you select and your home.
Depending on your household, you may need to change your HVAC filter as often as once every 30 days to as infrequently as once a year. Households with many occupants, pets, or homeowners who like to do a lot of cooking indoors could need more frequent filter replacements, while smaller households or infrequently used spaces, such as vacation homes, may need fewer filter replacements. Determine how often your filter needs by checking the labeling on the package, or ask someone on our team what they would recommend for your household.
If you haven’t replaced your furnace filter recently, boost your HVAC efficiency by replacing it now and then replacing it as soon as it appears dirty. Furnace filters tend to get more use during the winter months since windows are closed, and air recirculates dozens of times a day. Keep extra filters on hand so you always have one ready to go.
While many people are concerned about the waste involved with replacing furnace filters early, the energy you will save by using a clean filter is well worth the update. When filters are dirty or clogged, your furnace has to expend more energy to push air through your home, increasing your utility bills and potentially causing problems like furnace short cycling or overheating. When your furnace overheats, it could cause significant damage to your system, such as a cracked heat exchanger—which can also cause CO2 to leak into your home. Air filter replacement is a fast, easy way to protect your furnace and your family.
The air inside your home should have some moisture to keep your space comfortable. An arid space can make your skin dry and increase static, which is why many Louisville, KY, residents turn to whole-home humidifiers to replenish moisture during the winter. Since cold air can’t carry as much humidity as warm air, humidifiers can keep your home interior at the ideal 30% to 50% humidity levels during winter. Here are a few ways to prepare your humidifier for the cold months.
When your humidifier starts running, use an indoor hygrometer to ensure that the setting on your device matches the relative humidity of your home. If the humidifier malfunctions, it could be releasing too much or too little moisture, which could cause problems like mold growth, water damage, window condensation (too much moisture), or dry skin, cracked leather furniture, and excess dust (too little moisture).
While professional maintenance is required to clean out the interior chambers of your furnace and air handler, there are some things you can do to keep your furnace clean, clear of debris, and operational. Here are a few areas to clean up before your system runs this winter:
Before you start heating your home this winter, check the programmed temperature settings on your thermostat. Temperature preferences for your family can vary from season to season, and schedules can change during different times of the year. Additionally, adjusting for daylight savings time is important. Here are a few tips for checking your thermostat programming.
Heat pumps and air conditioners rely on an outdoor component to transfer heat. Prepare your heating system for winter by taking care of these units in the fall, and enjoy more efficient heating all winter long.
If you have a boiler heating system that relies on hot water radiators, you should bleed the valves prior to using the unit. By opening the valves at the start of the heating season, you can hear a gurgling noise as air flows from the system. Bleeding the valves removes trapped air, which allows the system to run efficiently. If you skip this step and don’t bleed your valves, your boiler may not heat evenly. The top section of the radiator may not become very warm, while the lower portions may reach the set temperature.
Before you use your fireplace this winter, have the entire system inspected. The National Fire Protection Association’s NFPA 211 standards dictate that fireplaces, chimneys, and corresponding vents should be inspected by a professional annually to check for structural soundness, ensure proper clearances, and to look for potentially combustible creosote deposits.
Likewise, the Chimney Safety Institute of America states that open masonry fireplaces should be swept anytime there is 1/8th of an inch of soot buildup in the system, or earlier if there is glaze in the system. Sweeping eliminates fuel buildup, which can prevent chimney fires that could damage your home. Manufactured fireplaces should be swept professionally when buildup is noticeable since deposits can be acidic and damage materials.
Your home should have smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors on every level. Keep your home safe by checking these devices at the start of every heating season.
Your HVAC system is designed to create a balanced flow of air throughout your home. However, if vents or filters become dirty or vents are closed or blocked, it could restrict heated airflow, impacting comfort and causing system damage. Before you turn on your heater, make sure all vents are clean and open. Here are a few tips for taking care of this process.
Simple leaks in ductwork have been shown to account for as much as 30% worth heat loss in American homes. By taking the time to check for disconnections, damage, gaps, and even collapsed lines, you can improve efficiency.
In areas where ductwork is visible, like attics, basements, or crawlspaces, use a flashlight to inspect ducts while the heat is running. Dust may accumulate around the leak, so look for any grime. If you spot a leak, seal it with aluminum HVAC tape. Professional duct sealing may be required if the lines are very leaky and visibly damaged.
Repairing duct leaks is crucial since a sealed line allows heated air to be successfully delivered to the rooms of your home. Leaks can also cause problems, since they allow cold air from unheated voids to be sucked into your lines and moved to rooms, lowering your indoor temperature. If this occurs, you may even turn up the temperature on your thermostat, wasting energy. Schedule a duct inspection and sealing anytime you suspect significant problems.
When the temperature outside plummets, many HVAC contractors see plenty of new calls from panicked homeowners who realize their furnace isn’t operating properly. Unfortunately, this influx of business causes longer wait times for clients waiting for service, which can cause uncomfortable delays in home heating. To avoid being one of those frantic callers, test your furnace early on in the year.
Turn on your furnace early on in the fall and check to see if your system responds accurately to the temperature setting on your thermostat. Pay attention to any new sounds or smells your system may make and take note of new issues so you can report them to your HVAC team.
If your system seems to be operating properly, don’t take it as a sign everything is well. Turn your system on at least three times before the coldest parts of the year when you will need your system throughout the day and night. Here are a few tips for checking your system for damage or efficiency problems before the coldest parts of the year:
On the days you test your furnace, clear your schedule so you can listen to your heating system run. Learning the sounds that are normal for your furnace can prevent undue stress and anxiety during the winter. If you spot new, strange sounds, it could be a sign of problems and the need for professional repairs. Listen for these normal noises when your heat pump or conventional furnace turns on, runs, and shuts down.
Whether you have noticed a new issue with your furnace or your annual tune-up uncovers problems, never put off repairs. While your system may still be operational, putting off repairs could cost you since efficiency problems could increase your monthly energy bill or result in more complex problems.
When asking yourself, “What could I do to prepare my heating and cooling system for winter,” remember that being proactive is always the right call. Address any system issues early to prevent heating outages, resulting discomfort, and added emergency expenses. Scheduling repairs or replacement early on in the season is easier since many homeowners wait until heating outages to reach out for help. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about your family being stranded without heating, which is crucial if you have babies, small children, or the elderly in your household.
Keep in mind that the average lifespan of a conventional furnace is 15 to 25 years, while a heat pump typically lasts 10 to 15 years. If your system is approaching the end of it’s usable lifespan, think about replacing your system before the season starts instead of worrying about repairs. New systems are more efficient and less expensive to run.
Your heating system relies on a blower motor and fan to circulate heated air throughout your home. The motor is attached to the fan by a belt, which, unfortunately, can fray, loosen, crack, or even break over time. If this occurs, your system won’t be able to run or heat your home. While this belt is typically checked during your annual furnace tune-up, it’s still smart to check it before winter to see if it needs to be replaced.
Condensing furnaces are made with condensate drainage pans and hoses that move excess water out of the system and outdoors. However, if these systems are damaged or clogged, efficiency problems, water damage, or frozen lines may result. Check to see if your high-efficiency condensing furnace seems to be draining moisture properly before the start of the heating season.
Open your furnace access door and look for the drip pan. This condensate pan is connected to the PVC drain line that exits your furnace. Horizontally installed furnaces have a pan that sits below the unit, and vertically installed systems have a condensate pan situated below the heat exchangers. Remove the pan to see if water is present in the reservoir or if it has been exiting the system appropriately. Also, look for:
Issues with condensate systems can be a problem inside condensing furnaces because they can halt the entire system. These specialized types of furnaces use secondary heat exchangers to capture more energy for heating. As combustion byproducts move from one heat exchanger to the secondary heat exchanger, gasses turn into liquid and create condensation. Standard furnaces don’t create condensation because the gasses aren’t present long enough to turn into a liquid. Instead, they are simply routed out of your home with a flue pipe.
In condensing furnaces, however, any condensation unable to exit the system can trigger a limit switch inside the pan, which can halt your furnace. Excess water can also spill out onto the floor, damaging your furnace and any building materials in your utility closet. Spotting and resolving condensate system problems is essential for protecting your furnace.
Many residents throughout Louisville use heating systems fueled by propane (also called LP for liquid propane) since this inexpensive gas is highly efficient and clean burning. Others use home heating oil to warm their homes. However, before you turn your furnace on for the winter, it’s smart to check your fuel reserves. Keep these benchmarks in mind when scheduling fuel delivery:
Different types of fuel burn at different rates. For instance, propane furnaces use about a gallon of fuel per hour of heating. On the other hand, homes that rely on oil furnaces consume about 2 to 5 gallons of oil per day, which can vary based on the weather.
While many people choose to keep a close eye on their fuel reserves, you can also take advantage of remote tank monitoring devices. These connected devices use wireless internet to alert homeowners of fuel levels, maintaining a constant reading of how much fuel you have in the tank. Some systems can even be programmed to notify you when it’s time to order fuel delivery since fuel shortages could interrupt your home heating or damage your system.
Propane furnaces need to be inspected for leaks before they are refilled. This mandate, set forth by the National Fuel Gas Code, is designed to prevent rust and other internal damage that could result in leaks and explosions. If you run out of propane, water can form inside the tank, creating rust and corrosion. Unfortunately, rust can interfere with the scent of the rotten egg smell added to propane to help homeowners to detect leaks, which is why professional inspection is important. Additionally, after propane tanks are refilled, professionals need to light the furnace’s pilot light.
Running out of heating oil won’t harm your furnace, but it will hamper your ability to heat your home. Low heating oil volume can create condensation inside the tank’s interior walls, creating corrosive rust and bacterial growth. These particulates can clog oil lines and hurt efficiency. To prevent this issue, professionals bleed the fuel lines to eliminate air and moisture, and oil filters should be replaced or cleaned to get rid of sludge.
It can be hard to keep all of the rooms in your home warm and comfortable, especially if you have a larger home with multiple levels. Since warm air rises and cool air sinks, split-level homes are especially prone to stark temperature changes from room to room.
Installing zoned heating is particularly helpful for homeowners with this problem since these intuitive systems can adjust based on the temperatures in individual spaces. Zoned heating is designed to divide your home into different climate zones, which typically consist of rooms on the same level or into areas that are used the same way. By adding supplemental temperature sensors, ductless heating systems, dampers, and thermostats, each zone can be controlled efficiently through a single zoning panel.
Like a blanket, your home’s insulation allows any heat generated inside your home to stay indoors, where it can keep your family comfortable. Great insulation reduces the workload of your furnace and lowers your energy bill since the device won’t have to run as frequently to keep your home warm.
Consider increasing insulation levels anywhere you can, with a focus on exterior walls, attics, basements, crawlspaces, and flooring. There are multiple varieties of insulation available, including fiberglass bats that homeowners can unfurl and lay in place, blown-in insulation that can be professionally added, or spray foam insulation that can be piped into place or injected into walls to bolster levels. Insulation can also be added around ducts, so heat doesn’t leach through the metal walls of the vents and into areas where it can’t be used, such as wall voids.
If you aren’t sure where to start adding insulation, ask an HVAC professional to check your home. By measuring the depth of the insulation where it is visible, technicians can give you a good idea of what you need and how to insulate your home in the most effective manner.
Ceiling fans aren’t just for the summertime, and you can use them to save money during the winter. Turn off your ceiling fan, and when the blades have stopped, look for a switch on your fan’s motor. There should be a switch that says either “summer/winter” or “counter-clockwise/clockwise.” During the wintertime, set your fan to run clockwise, which creates an updraft that pushes risen, warm air back down towards you. To save energy, always turn off fans when you leave a room.
Here at Jarboe’s Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, we are committed to helping homeowners throughout Louisville, Kentucky, to get their furnaces, heat pumps, and boilers in top shape before the coldest months of the year. If you have found yourself asking, “How can I prepare my furnace for the cold,” don’t hesitate to give them a call. With a team of NATE-certified professionals who are committed to providing excellent heating repair and customer service, you can improve efficiency and prevent problems. Give us a call today to schedule the service you need!