Homeowners throughout Connecticut rely on their furnaces to stay warm in the winter months. However, some property owners aren’t sure what to expect from a furnace in cold weather.
You can speak to heating repair experts in Glastonbury, CT, to review normal sounds, smells, and operation for a furnace during the colder months of the year. Find out more with our team at SM Mechanical Services by calling (860) 530-2792.
Expect Your Furnace to Work Harder in the Winter
Winters in Glastonbury can get very cold. During cold snaps, your furnace ends up working harder. When your furnace struggles to maintain a steady temperature, it will run for longer periods.
Running for longer means your energy expenses may rise when dealing with extreme cold. In these situations, your furnace often runs seven days a week, struggling to heat your home.
In some cases, furnaces simply cannot keep up with the cold weather outside. You may notice the temperatures dropping in your home if the outside air plunges far below freezing. Furnaces can only do so much in these conditions, and a failure to maintain the temperature you want does not mean the furnace broke.
Check your furnace to see if it’s still running and if the registers feel hot. If they are, your furnace hasn’t experienced a breakdown; it’s just struggling to handle the outside temperatures.
You can help your furnace handle the additional strain brought on by cold weather by scheduling a maintenance appointment before the winter. These appointments allow technicians to ensure your furnace is in good condition.
Smells to Expect When Running Your Furnace in Cold Weather
Many property owners notice a faint “burning” smell when they first turn their heater on in the winter months. This smell occurs when the furnace coils heat up and burn off the dust that settled over them through the summer.
The smell should only last for a few moments. However, if the smell persists, or if you smell either gas or oil, it may be a cause for concern. You should generally not smell these odors if your furnace is functioning correctly.
Noises to Expect When Running Your Furnace in Cold Weather
A furnace in cold weather generally runs for extended periods. While your furnace runs, you may notice several sounds. For example, the furnace may click a little when it first comes on and make a soft sound when it kicks off after a cycle.
These sounds represent normal noises for a furnace operating in the wintertime. However, you may want to contact furnace repair professionals if you notice other odd sounds, including:
- Squealing
- Grinding
- Banging
These sounds may indicate an issue with your heat exchanger, blower motor, or fan belts. While you should expect some noises in cold weather, unusual or loud noises should be taken seriously.
What to Expect When Preparing Your Furnace for Winter
You can protect your heating and cooling system by preparing your furnace for the winter months. Taking the proper steps to get ready for cold temperatures can help your furnace function at peak efficiency and help you avoid a breakdown. Follow these steps to begin preparations.
Change Your Furnace Filter
Furnace systems circulate air through your home. Unfortunately, the air can contain several contaminants, including pet dander and dust. Furnace filters collect this debris, stopping it from moving through the air.
Over time, filters get clogged up, leading to inadequate airflow for your furnace. You should change the filters every few months to increase the efficiency of your furnace in the winter.
Replace the Battery in Your Thermostat
Your thermostat controls the temperature in your home. Eventually, the batteries that power the thermostat can wear out. You can prevent this issue by testing the batteries and replacing them if necessary.
Setting Up Furnace Maintenance
The best way to get your furnace ready for cold weather is by scheduling a maintenance appointment. Furnace repair crews can go over all the moving parts in your furnace, clean the system, and handle any recommended repairs.
Crews can also look for leaks in your furnace. Leaks can allow carbon monoxide, an extremely dangerous and odorless gas, to leak into your home.
Methods to Take the Strain Off of Your Furnace
What can you do if your furnace struggles to keep your home warm in the winter months? The experts recommend:
Keeping Out Cold Air
The more cold air you keep out of your home, the less work your furnace has to do. You can take several steps to hold warm air in and the cold air outside. The experts recommend:
- Keeping your garage closed
- Reducing the number of times you open outside doors
- Closing your blinds and drapes
Checking Your Vents
The air vents inside and outside your home may get blocked over time. Make sure that you remove obstructions from any radiators or air vents. Shovel ice and snow away from any furnace vents outside your home.
Using Your Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans can help warm your home in the winter. Most fans have a switch that allows you to reverse the direction they rotate. Changing the rotation causes the fans to push warm air down from the ceiling, helping your home stay warmer.
Avoiding a Fireplace
Fireplaces often generate a subconscious feeling of warmth and comfort. However, most of the heat they generate escapes up the chimney in many cases. Cold air can also come down the chimney, making your furnace work harder.
Adjusting the Temperature
It gets colder at night, so you may want to bump up your thermostat a few extra degrees in the day to make your house warmer before nightfall.
Prepare Your Furnace for Cold Weather
You rely on your furnace in cold weather. You can keep your furnace in excellent condition by working with our team at SM Mechanical Services. Learn what burning heater smell means, or set up an appointment for furnace maintenance by calling us at (860) 530-2792.