This is the week when people actually pay attention to what groundhogs think about the weather. There are many different groundhog prophets on the East Coast, but this year the two most famous—Punxsutawney Phil and Staten Island Chuck—are in disagreement about whether there will be an early spring or six more weeks of winter. We would love to believe Chuck on this: he said early spring.
But the truth is that when it comes to your home heating, be prepared for anything! Below we have some tips on how to see that your home’s heating system will make it through to that spring thaw, whenever it is. We’re here to provide great heating service in Syracuse, IN and throughout Northern Indiana.
If You Have a Furnace
- Make sure that you regularly change the air filter. This filter protects the inside of the furnace from damage due to debris coming in through the return air ducts. But the debris caught in it will build up over 1 to 3 months, and when it becomes clogged it will but huge strain on the blower motor and lower airflow.
- Listen for any odd sounds the furnace might make. This includes: clanging, clicking, rattling, and booming. Any of these can mean a repair need. Call for technicians right away.
- Plan on a furnace replacement immediately if your furnace is more than 15 years old and shows signs it’s struggling.
If You Have a Heat Pump
- Same caution about the air filter, since a heat pump is a forced-air system that also uses a blower fan and needs a filter to protect its interior.
- Check to see that there is no snow or other debris around the outside cabinet of the heat pump. This will block heat absorption and can lead to water getting into the cabinet and promoting rust.
- Warning sounds to listen for when it comes to a heat pump: grinding, rattling, and hissing. Loss of refrigerant (the hissing sound) is something that must be repaired right away or the heat pump may suffer permanent damage.
If You Have a Boiler
- You don’t have to worry about an air filter, but you must make sure that the boiler has received regular maintenance to help catch possible corrosion and leaks. Boilers need less repair work on average than furnaces and heat pumps, but only if they have routine maintenance.
In General
- Watch out for cold spots around the house. You should already have a good idea of the comfort level of the various rooms when the heater is running. If you detect rooms that are colder than normal, this is often a major warning the heating system (no matter its type) is starting to fail. Other possibilities include damage to the ventilation system or insulation problems.
- Any indication that the heating system isn’t working as normal needs to be acted on fast! Don’t hesitate or hope the heater will just “get better.” And don’t try to investigate or fix it yourself. Call on our professionals and we’ll get to the bottom of it and have it repaired.
Collier’s Heating & Air Conditioning. We’re a company you’ve grown to trust.
