Your heater works much harder when the temperatures plummet. However, it may operate longer or be unable to keep your house at the correct temperature during this extreme weather.
This doesn’t necessarily indicate that the furnace is broken. Under certain weather conditions, it may fail to perform as well for various reasons.
Increased heating demand
The colder the temperatures are outside, the more heat your home is losing through:
- Windows
- Doors
- Walls
- Other surfaces.
Your furnace is then forced to run longer to keep the temperature that you set on the thermostat.
Very cold weather can be normal for some continuous operation. However, if the furnace is constantly running and not providing adequate heat, there’s another issue.
Restricted airflow
Proper airflow is necessary for a furnace to function properly. However, air movement can be affected by:
- Problems with vents
- Registers being closed
- Blocked return-air grills
- Clogged ductwork.
The first step is to make sure that the vents are not blocked. If warm air is still not reaching some rooms, check the ductwork or the furnace.
Short cycling
Short cycling is when a furnace does not allow the heating cycle to finish. It starts up and shuts off over and over again. This can be due to:
- Limited ventilation
- Thermostat issues
- Overheating
- Other issues.
Regular cycling can increase the stress on the system. This creates unpredictable indoor temperatures.
Inspect the filter and thermostat. If the problem persists, schedule a furnace repair in Edmonton.
Poor insulation
Your furnace is responsible for generating heat. But your home also needs to retain that heat. Heated air can escape quickly due to poor insulation around:
- Walls
- Ceilings
- Windows
- Other surfaces.
This is mostly the case if:
- Some rooms cool more quickly than others
- The furnace appears to be running all the time.
The solution is good insulation and sealing of obvious drafts. This will reduce heat loss and help the heating system keep the interior warm.
Aging furnace components
Furnaces that are older can be less dependable because parts degrade with age. Heating issues can occur due to a variety of components, including motors, belts, ignition, electrical parts, and more.
Perhaps your furnace is:
- Making strange noises
- Cycling differently
- Not as warm as it used to be.
In that case, call a professional technician. They can help determine if a worn furnace part is causing the furnace to operate abnormally.
Final thoughts
Of course, cold Edmonton temperatures put more strain on any heating system. However, it is not necessarily due to the weather if:
- The airflow is still weak
- The fan is making odd noises
- The furnace is stopping frequently
- It fails to reach its set temperature.
If you can spot these changes, you can take steps to avoid a stressful winter day when your heating fails.
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