Wintertime HVAC Concerns and How to Avoid Them
Wintertime HVAC Concerns and How to Avoid Them
Cold winter weather can be just as hard on your Michigan HVAC system as it is on you. Throughout the winter season, your furnace or heat pump works hard to maintain a comfortable indoor environment for your family in Lake Orion, MI. Knowing the most common wintertime HVAC concerns you’re likely to face and how to prevent them or handle them quickly will help to prevent unnecessary wear and tear on your HVAC system and keep your home warmer during cold winter weather.
Poor Efficiency
Poor energy efficiency can plague your heating system at any time during the winter. One of the most common reasons for poor efficiency is a lack of consistent maintenance, making your HVAC system’s fall tune-up an important step toward lower energy bills and a more comfortable home all season long. Scheduling a professional inspection and maintenance visit allows you to start the winter with a clean and well-tuned system; during the inspection, your HVAC service technician can also alert you to any issues that may arise and help you take steps to prevent them, such as repairing or replacing worn parts and filters. Scheduling a tune-up each year can help you save up to 15% on your monthly heating and cooling bills, which can add up to significant savings over the course of your HVAC system’s lifetime.
Blocked Ducts and Registers
Blocked or clogged air ducts and registers can prevent heated air from reaching your living spaces. Not only does this reduce HVAC system efficiency, it also means that you won’t receive the heat you expect and your comfort at home will begin to suffer. There are several ways you can reduce the risk of blocked ducts. First, change your furnace filter regularly, which will capture airborne particles before they can settle in your ducts or block your registers. Second, check that all air registers in your home are clear of hindrances such as furniture, stored objects, and even curtains or other decorative items. Closing registers in little-used rooms can help you conserve energy, but you should avoid closing more than 40% of your home’s registers to reduce strain on your HVAC system, which will decrease, rather than increase, the system’s efficiency and longevity. Finally, if you have had renovation or construction work completed recently, or your home has been subject to a pest infestation, have your HVAC specialist perform a duct cleaning to remove debris that may have built up in the ducts, which can contribute to blockage and poor air flow.
Iced Heat Pump
If your home uses a heat pump for heating, it’s important to keep an eye on this system to recognize when attention is needed. The outdoor portion of the heat pump can’t function properly if it is covered in snow or ice, which makes clearing this area and checking the outdoor unit regularly important to your home comfort. Running your heat pump’s defrosting cycle periodically can help to melt ice, while ensuring your home’s gutters are in good condition will prevent snow and ice runoff from dripping onto the unit and causing problems. If you do discover that your heat pump has been severely frozen, turn the unit off and remove ice with a hose; if the unit still experiences problems, call for HVAC repair from a professional.
Our heating and cooling experts in Lake Orion, MI, can help you keep your home warm, comfortable, and safe this winter season. Please stop by our website to learn more about our HVAC services, or click through our blog for additional home comfort tips.