It’s winter in Ohio, and that means you’ll be using your HVAC system full time. While the entire system should be monitored as the winter goes on to make sure it’s running correctly (don’t forget your winter preventative-maintenance appointment!), there are a few specific parts that are particularly subject to overworking. Read on to learn about winter HVAC strain.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the parts that need special attention during the long, hard winter to prevent winter HVAC strain.
- Ignition system. Pilot lights are becoming a thing of the past in gas furnaces. Most newer furnaces run with a hot-surface, electronic ignition system. It heats up the same way lights in a light bulb do, then ignites the burners. This is a safer and more energy-efficient way to light a furnace, but the igniter can become damaged with time. It might be cracking, or there could be electrical trouble so that the burners don’t ignite, just one possible symptom of winter HVAC strain.
- Short cycling. With short cycling, the system turns off and on before achieving the thermostat setting. Short cycling wears out parts and puts strain on the components and can lead to a breakdown. It’s also inefficient. Possible causes for short cycling in winter include: a dirty air filter; a malfunctioning thermostat, or the ventilation system is leaking.
- Motor burnout. Your heating system needs the blower fan to operate properly. Burnout can happen if the heating system is used extensively without maintenance. Worn bearings may be a cause of overheating (which can cause wiring to fuse in its housing, causing the blower to shut down). A cracked belt might also cause problems.
- Limit switch. The limit switch is a sensor in the heat exchanger. It measures when the air is sufficiently hot to be distributed into the ventilation system. At this point, the blower fan is activated; the limit switch also turns off the blower when the temperature drops. When the limit switch acts up, it may mean the blower fan won’t turn on or off.
Do you have more questions on what causes winter HVAC strain? Contact Energy 1 Heating and Air Conditioning.
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area