When it comes to your home comfort systems, nothing puts more stress on your furnace than peak season during the winter. In the Springfield, MO area, sub-freezing temperatures threaten to turn your two-story home into an icebox. However, with the unit running all the time, you’ll have to watch out for signs of overheating.
When a unit overheats, one or more components inside the unit may be susceptible to breaking. However, you can combat this by preventing your unit from overheating. Trust in the expertise of our professionals at Air Services and we’ll provide you with expert tips and show you how to do it.
Use the Auto Setting
One way to prevent overheating of your system is to use the thermostat to your advantage. While it may be nice to have your furnace blowing toasty air twenty-four hours a day, it’s not good for your system. The auto setting will allow the fan to shut off when the house is the proper temperature or when no one is home.
You can schedule specific times for the thermostat to stop heating the whole house when everyone is sleeping at night or gone during the day. This allows for the unit to cool and prevents overheating from occurring. Preventative steps are the best way to avoid unnecessary and costly repairs in the future.
When your furnace runs constantly, it doesn’t get a chance to cool down. This constant operation can cause components to overheat and fail. Using the auto setting gives your system breaks that help prevent overheating.
Programmable thermostats make this even easier. You can set different temperatures for different times of day, ensuring your home is comfortable when you need it while giving your furnace rest periods.
Clean or Change Your Air Filter
Another reason your unit may overheat is due to a blockage of airflow. If you’ve forgotten or neglected to change the air filter in a while, and it’s now clogged with dust, debris, or even mold, this could be blocking the airflow to the rest of your system.
This is a problem because it can then cause the components to overheat, especially the inside coils that are vital to the heat transfer process. The evaporator coil has hundreds of tiny air passages that are crucial to its function, and if those passages become obstructed, your system will no longer provide adequate heat.
It will struggle to work harder, run longer, and use more gas or electricity, resulting in an increase in your utility bills. When you need your filters changed, you can rely on Air Services to ensure your indoor air quality and prevent overheating issues.
Most filters should be changed every one to three months, depending on your home’s conditions. If you have pets or live in a dusty area, you might need to change them more often. A clean filter helps your system run efficiently and prevents overheating.
Limit the Heat Losses
If you notice any areas that are particularly drafty or windows and doors that have leaks, it’s best to seal those things up before the winter season hits. If these cracks, leaks, or openings aren’t sealed properly, they could let cold air into your home, making your system work harder to regulate the inside temperature.
These things could be causing your unit to run overtime, which puts you in jeopardy of overheating. As you know, if your unit overheats, it will likely lead to expenses like increased energy bills and system repairs. If you want to avoid that, make sure your doors and windows are adequately sealed.
Check for drafts around windows and doors, and seal them with weatherstripping or caulk. This simple step can make a big difference in how hard your furnace has to work. The less heat you lose, the less your furnace has to run.
Adding insulation to your attic and walls can also help reduce heat loss. When your home retains heat better, your furnace doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Get a Heating Tune-Up
Of course, you can eliminate many of these things with a simple heating tune-up from your local HVAC professional.
Equipment like this often needs a professional eye to know what to look for, so trust our experts to take exceptional care of your unit and give you a thorough diagnosis, along with a list of solutions. We’ll make sure your system continues to run properly so your home is comfortable all year round.
During a tune-up, we’ll check all the important components, clean what needs cleaning, and make sure everything is working as it should. This helps prevent overheating and extends your system’s lifespan.
Regular tune-ups are one of the best investments you can make in your heating system. They help prevent problems before they start and keep your system running efficiently.
Signs Your Furnace Is Overheating
There are several signs that your furnace might be overheating. Understanding these can help you catch problems early before they cause serious damage.
If your furnace shuts off unexpectedly, it might be because the safety switch activated due to overheating. This is a safety feature designed to prevent damage, but it indicates a problem that needs to be addressed.
If you notice a burning smell when your furnace runs, that could be a sign of overheating. This smell might come from components getting too hot or from dust burning off components that are overheating.
If your furnace is making unusual noises, especially banging or popping sounds, that could indicate overheating. These sounds often come from components expanding due to excessive heat.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to have your furnace checked by a professional. Continuing to run an overheating furnace can cause serious damage and may even create a fire hazard.
When to Call a Professional
If you’re at all concerned that your unit is running too hard and possibly overheating, you need to have the situation evaluated by an HVAC professional. At Air Services in Springfield, MO, we’re here to help when you need it most.
You can always rely on our team of experts to deliver exceptional service and extend the life of your HVAC unit so it continues to provide comfort to you and your family.
Don’t wait until your furnace breaks down completely. If you notice signs of overheating or if your system seems to be working harder than usual, call us right away. We’ll assess the situation and fix any problems before they become serious.