01/22/2026
Here are some tips and reminders to reduce the stress on your heating system when temperatures dip below zero:
Check your furnace filters-dirty or restrictive filters can cause the blower motor to work harder than needed to circulate air. This problem can be compounded by the extended run time usually associated with server cold and can cause furnace overheating and possible damage. Check your filters regularly.
Check your air vents-Make sure you don’t have any obstructed airflow. Move furniture and curtains away from the registers to allow warm air to flow unimpeded. Not only does blocking vents prevent warm air from circulating, it can put undue stress on your HVAC system.
Check your furnace vent pipe-The vent, or flue pipe on high efficiency furnaces and boilers must remain clear of snow and ice. Blocked vent pipes can cause operating issues and possible Carbon Monoxide to leak into the home. The same can be said if your equipment has both vent and intake pipes. Be sure both pipes are clear.
Remove thermostat program schedules-recovering temperatures in extreme cold can be difficult, if not impossible for heating equipment. Removing schedules can allow the equipment to maintain a single setpoint and try to reduce already extended run times.
Extended equipment run time-When temperatures are at, or exceed heating design temperatures, it is not uncommon for heating equipment to experience longer (and in extreme cases non-stop) run times. Do not be alarmed if you experience this. If the equipment is operating normally and is still heating for you it is doing it’s best given the situation.
Call us if you have questions or need to schedule a service.
