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HVAC Tips for When the Temperature Is Extremely Low

Written by Comfort Solutions HVAC on . Posted in .

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When temperatures dip into the single digits and even sub-zero, staying warm and comfortable indoors is a top priority. Your HVAC system has to work harder to keep your home warm during this time. It’s not uncommon for a breakdown to happen now, in the dead of winter. To help reduce that risk, consider a few tips to stay warm when it’s extremely cold.

Extreme Cold? Here’s What to Do Now

  • Drop the thermostat setting a few degrees. It’s tempting to increase your thermostat’s temperature, but instead lower it by 3 to 5 degrees, especially during the night when everyone is warmly snuggled up in bed. This helps decrease the furnace’s workload, potentially minimizing strain on it. 
  • Clean the filters now. If you have not done so this month, replace the filters for your HVAC system. This helps minimize the amount of debris in the system, allowing it to work more efficiently. When temperatures are this low, the furnace is working harder and longer, potentially increasing the amount of debris becoming lodged in the filter. 
  • Check windows and doors. Don’t let warmed air escape. If you feel cold air around windows or doors, that draft is causing your home’s temperature to drop, forcing the furnace to work longer. Seal any leaks you can.
  • Keep the garage door closed. If your garage is connected to your home, be sure the overhead door is closed as much as possible to reduce the loss of warmed air.
  • Add the use of space heaters when needed. Use as few as possible and be sure to use those that turn off when toppled over. Space heaters may help to warm the rooms of your home you spend the most time in, when the furnace simply cannot keep up.

To maximize the function of your HVAC system while minimizing the risk of damage to it, consider these simple strategies. Do this now, before temperatures plummet further.

Your home may not be as toasty and warm during extremely low temperatures. It’s wise to avoid trying to crank up the heat, though, as that may strain the system too much.

One way to avoid problems is to have your home’s HVAC system serviced on a routine basis. Aim to have a technician out to your home at the start of winter and again at the start of the warmer months. A thorough inspection helps pinpoint potential problems early on. Additionally, having routine maintenance completed on the system helps keep the system working as efficiently as possible. It may help you find ways to make your heating and cooling system more efficient all year.

To learn more about keeping your home warm even in extremely low temperatures, schedule a consultation with our technicians at Comfort Solutions. Call us at 610-438-9300 or contact us online to schedule an appointment for furnace maintenance.