Posted in Heating
The temperature has gone down and your furnace is having trouble making up for it? You may find cold spots in rooms that were once comfortable, or put off the first chill of the morning to flip the switch and be met with nothing.
Then again, you are not the only one. We at Sky Heating, AC, Plumbing & Electrical have been putting in the work to keep Portland metro homeowners warm since 1979. Should you need us, we are on hand 24/7; pick up the phone at (503) 563-2698 day or night.
It is true the Pacific Northwest does not have the coldest winters in the country, yet the unrelenting dampness, the gray days and an odd cold snap will take their toll on a heating system. What follows is an explanation of some of the problems we come across in the colder months and the reasons for them.
Damp Air and Your System
There is more to the moisture of our winters than just the feeling of cold outdoors, it gets into your equipment as well. With high humidity comes condensation in and around the ductwork and furnace components. Left to itself, this will cause rust and corrosion and electrical troubles of the sort that can deprive you of heat at the worst time. Then there is the matter of the length of our winters; a system will run for months on end with little respite and the parts wear out quicker for it.
What We See in the Way of Winter Heating Problems
You will see some of these from one year to the next when the weather changes. They account for the bulk of our calls:
- A furnace in the habit of short cycling, on and off but not doing much to heat the house
- Filters in poor condition clogging the system and impeding airflow
- The furnace will not start due to a failed pilot light or ignition
- Hard freezes that result in frozen or cracked pieces on the heat pump
- Ductwork that is blocked or leaky, resulting in uneven temperatures
- Banging, squealing or a rattle from parts that are worn
- A thermostat that is malfunctioning and not relaying the right information to the furnace
One of these will make a home cold in no time. Happily they are for the most part preventable and easy to put a stop to early on.
Heat Pumps When It Freezes
Our mild winters make heat pumps a favourite here. But put them through a genuine cold snap and they have their work cut out for them. The defrost cycle will be in use more than normal and ice will form on the unit outside. If the heat pump is icing over and will not clear it, you should have a look at it.
All too often a homeowner thinks the unit is just coping with the cold and puts off a call. Before you know it what was a minor matter is a bigger repair.
The Importance of Good Airflow
Many of the complaints we get in winter boil down to this. Clogged filters, a vent in the way or a leak in the ducts and the warm air is not where it ought to be. You set the thermostat higher but the room stays cold and the furnace has to run longer, which shows up on your energy bill. Changing your filter is an easy enough task, though if you have done so and there are still cold areas the problem is deeper.
Making the Case for Maintenance
To stave off a breakdown in the middle of winter you want to address things before the cold arrives. Maintenance is what allows a system to be efficient for the duration of the season and to spot any worn components. We have a plan for our members that includes a complimentary diagnostic check. And should a replacement be called for, we can arrange financing so you are not left with a difficult choice and a cold house.
About Us
We have been in the Portland area since 1979. Our team at Sky Heating, AC, Plumbing & Electrical is licensed and insured and holds an A+ accreditation from the Better Business Bureau; between us we have 150 years of experience. This is a community we care about so we back local groups such as Dash for Kids, The Home Builders Foundation and Meals on Wheels.
Do not let your system run its course if you are seeing any of the above. Whether it is a failed ignition, short cycling or worn parts, our team can handle the furnace repair you need. Make a call to us at (503) 563-2698. We are available round the clock to see you through the winter.
