Heating systems across the Birmingham, AL area are taxed with a heavy load when outdoor temperatures fall and households demand heat. When your heater is functioning properly, it can handle this hefty task without flaws – but when common heating problems exist within the system, your furnace or heat pump isn’t able to keep up. The heating repair professionals of Douglas Cooling & Heating share the 8 most common heating problems that occur over the winter and explain how they are corrected.

1. Dirty Air Filters

Over the course of normal heating system use, the furnace’s air filter will fill up with particle matter it extracts from circulating air. Once the filter is full, it basically becomes a blockage inside your heating system rather than a helpful component. Running your furnace with a dirty air filter inside can cause the system to overheat, which can damage components and forces system parts to consume extra energy as it struggles to pass air through the system properly.  This extra consumption of energy increases wear and tear on the furnace or heat pump while causing energy waste. As a result, a dirty air filter can leave your living areas without sufficient heat, as air movement is severely restricted. 

Avoid common heating problems that stem from dirty or clogged filters by making filter maintenance a regular priority. Filters can fill up faster than you expect over the winter due to an increase in use, so it’s best to inspect the filter about once per month so you can check its condition. If the air filter’s surface is full of matter, replace it. Many air filter manufacturers recommend replacing your air filter every 90 days, but if you’re new to your furnace or heat pump, it’s a good idea to check once a month to get an idea of how fast your air filter fills up. 

2. Short Cycling

If your furnace or heat pump turns on and then shuts off again within just a few minutes, or you notice it is running more heating cycles than it usually does without generating any heat, this is called short cycling. It is a common heating problem that can be caused by a number of issues and should be addressed quickly. Short cycling accelerates the wear and tear damage, wastes energy with frequent starts and stops, and prevents your home from heating evenly. 

Short cycling can stem from blocked airflow and the resulting overheating, dirty air filters, malfunctioning sensors, a faulty thermostat, or a system that is simply too big for your home. Airflow blockages and overheating can result from dirty or clogged filters or closed air vents around the home. If you’re experiencing short cycling, try checking these areas first. Faulty flame sensors and thermostats should be repaired by a professional. If your furnace is too large for your living space, it will need to be replaced with a heating system that fits your home better. 

3. Mold in HVAC System

Though winter air is typically dryer, a moist indoor environment can contribute to common problems with your home heating system. If your home’s air is too moist, you may experience mold growth within your duct system this season. When that moisture makes contact with cold metal ducts that circulate air to unheated areas of the home, it can condense and settle inside the duct. The moisture, dust, and other matter in a dark, damp duct system create a perfect environment for mold to thrive.

Mold growth can be caused by dirty ductwork, clogged ducts, or a malfunctioning whole home humidifier. To fix these underlying issues and eliminate the mold in your system, contact an experienced HVAC company to inspect and clean your air ducts. Duct cleaning can rid your ducts of existing mold growth as well as remove debris to prevent further mold development. Your technician can inspect the duct system and correct issues causing blockages in the ducts so they function properly. Your HVAC technician may also troubleshoot problems with your humidifier to see if it is producing too much humidity for the house.

4. Air Leaks in the Home

If your home seems inconsistently heated, air leaks are a common home heating issue that may be causing you to waste money.  Air leaks in your home can be found in several places, such as around windows, doors, recessed lighting, attic hatches, and even in your ductwork. A technician will inspect your ductwork for any air leaks during a service call. If air is leaking out of cracks and holes in your air ducts, they will either be sealed, or the damaged section will need to be replaced.

5. Blower Fan is Running Nonstop

Another common heating system problem is a constantly running blower fan. You might have a problem with your fan limit switch. Or, the fan switch on the thermostat may be set incorrectly. A malfunctioning thermostat could be sending the wrong signals to your heating equipment, causing the blower to run continuously. 

Improper blower fan settings are the most common reason for this heating system issue. First, it’s always a good idea to check your thermometer to learn how blower fan speeds your heater is set to. Make sure the fan switch on the thermostat is set to AUTO and not ON. The AUTO setting tells the blower to operate only as the furnace cycles, while the ON option keeps the blower running around the clock.

Inside your furnace, there is a component called the fan limit switch, which controls the blower’s operation. If this switch is incorrectly set in the manual position, the blower will run all the time. To access this component, remove the furnace access panel – the fan limit switch is usually situated near the upper right corner of the interior cabinet. There is a white button on the outside of this part – if it is pressed inward, the fan limit switch is set to manual and this is causing the blower to run all the time. Once you’ve reset the switch, replace the furnace access panel. 

If the fan limit switch or the thermostat wiring is faulty and causing your nonstop blower issue, the best approach to fix it is to call your HVAC technician to repair common heating problems. A professional will be able to replace bad components or pinpoint other causes of the issue.

6. Noisy Heater Operation

Furnaces and heat pumps aren’t always quiet, but they shouldn’t make loud banging sounds after startup. Clicking, squeaking, squealing, rumbling, or rattling noises are uncommon noises. If you hear these noises, contact Douglas Cooling & Heating immediately! These sounds indicate common heating problems that need to be diagnosed quickly. There are a number of potential causes for the noises you hear such as a mechanical problem, clogged burner, incomplete combustion, faulty control panel, or airflow obstructions. An experienced technician can only figure out what the source of the problem is by inspecting your heating system. 

7. Thermostat Problems

A malfunctioning thermostat will give false readings will causing common heating system problems and leading to cold spots in your home.  Thermostats only tend to last about 10 years, so if you notice that yours is malfunctioning, it could lead to issues in your heating systems performance. Upgrading to a new smart thermostat will reconnect the communication and add convenience to your life. 

If you notice an issue with your thermostat’s temperature readings or communication this winter, call Douglas Cooling & Heating for repair – our NATE-certified technicians will offer suggestions to resolve the problem. Repair may be possible, or it might be time to upgrade your thermostat to eliminate these common heating problems.

8. High Energy Bills

Energy bills that spike without a clear cause point directly to common heating problems impacting your heating system’s efficiency. There are several reasons why your energy bill might be high, which is why maintenance is so important for your HVAC system. During preventative heating maintenance, a professional will inspect your unit for potential problems and service your system to keep it operating at its highest efficiency. Douglas Cooling & Heating will keep your system functioning longer and operating efficiently during the coldest time of year!

Before you call us for service due to unexpected higher energy bills, check for common heating problems that could cause this. A dirty air filter, air leaks in the home, leaky ductwork, or obstructions in the duct system. Change dirty air filters, seal air leaks in your house, and seal duct leaks if they are accessible. You can also contact Douglas Cooling & Heating to perform duct sealing and repairs, as well as service the furnace to uncover and resolve the cause of your high heating bills.

Furnace Repairs in Birmingham, AL

Common heating problems can cause discomfort and headaches over the winter months. Don’t let these heating system problems linger long, or they could lead to damage inside your furnace or heat pump. It’s always a smart idea to be wary of what higher heating bills could be saying about your heating system’s performance. Call Douglas Cooling & Heating today for furnace repairs in Birmingham, AL.

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The humidity level in your home is just as important as temperature when it comes to staying comfortable throughout the year. While we typically have abundant humidity in Birmingham, AL over the summer months, however, achieving ideal indoor humidity winter levels can be difficult for homeowners. Douglas Cooling & Heating shares how to tell if your air is too dry and explains the right indoor humidity levels for winter temperatures as well as how to achieve them.

Ideal Indoor Humidity Winter Levels

Keeping indoor relative humidity levels balanced between 30 to 50 percent is the usual recommendation for most of the year, but the winter months can require some adjustments. When outdoor temperatures are colder, maintaining 50 percent relative humidity inside your home could cause excess moisture which can lead to problems such as condensation on surfaces, like your windows and walls. This time of year, lower ideal indoor humidity winter levels are recommended to prevent damage and mold growth.

The American Society of Heating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) provides the ideal indoor humidity winter levels according to outdoor temperatures:

• When outdoor temperatures are at or below -10 degrees Fahrenheit, the ideal relative indoor humidity level is 20 percent.
• For outdoor temperatures around 0 degrees Fahrenheit, keep indoor relative humidity levels at 25 percent.
• At outdoor temperatures of 10 degrees Fahrenheit, the ideal indoor humidity winter level is 30 percent.
• If outdoor temperatures are at 20 degrees, maintain indoor relative humidity levels at 35 percent.
• When the outdoor temperature is 30 degrees or higher, the ideal indoor humidity winter level is 40 percent.

 Is Your Home Too Dry?

It’s normal in the winter months to experience dry indoor air more so than it is at other times of the year. Cold, dry air holds less moisture, which creates low humidity in your home. However, when the air contains too little moisture, this can lead to symptoms affecting you, your loved ones, and your home.

If you experience any of the following signs or symptoms, it’s a sign that you have dry air in your home and that your humidity levels need to be adjusted:

• Nosebleeds
• Dry skin
• Itchy skin
• Cracked lips
• Sore throat
• Respiratory and sinus problems
• Increased allergy or asthma symptoms
• Increased static electricity
• Creaky wood flooring
• Wood doors that are difficult to open and close
• Gaps between walls and the ceiling

How to Maintain Ideal Indoor Humidity Winter Levels

Your home may need some assistance maintaining ideal indoor humidity winter levels due to the cold air outside. Add moisture to your home’s air and keep relative humidity levels balanced this season using appropriate tools and tips.

One great way to provide the added moisture your indoor air needs is to utilize a whole-home humidifier. A whole-home humidifier is installed alongside your HVAC equipment and adds moisture to air circulating through the system. There are a few different types of whole-home humidifiers: bypass and fan-powered units move circulating air through a water panel to add moisture. Steam humidifiers boil water to generate steam which is added inside the home’s ductwork. Whole-home humidifiers provide much greater coverage than portable units and require little maintenance to use, helping you gain the moisture you need for ideal indoor humidity winter levels throughout the house!

Help your home retain airborne moisture by eliminating air leaks. Install weather-stripping for a tight barrier around windows and doors. Seal cracks and gaps in exterior walls, the crawlspace, and in other areas where warm, indoor air can be lost. 

Increase circulation to spread heat and humidity throughout the house. Keep doors open so air can circulate between rooms. Rearrange furniture so that items are not up against walls and air can circulate all around these pieces. Use fans to keep air moving throughout your living spaces.

Get Help with Winter Humidity Problems in Birmingham, AL

If you have trouble maintaining ideal indoor humidity winter levels inside your Birmingham, AL area home, Douglas Cooling & Heating can help. Contact us today to learn more about ways to increase moisture inside your house, such as installing a whole-home humidifier.

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Regular filter changes are an important component of maintenance for any forced air heating and cooling system, including furnaces, heat pumps, and air conditioners. What happens if you don’t change your furnace air filter when you should? Douglas Cooling & Heating explains what will happen to your HVAC system if it is left to run with a dirty filter in place.

What Happens If Your HVAC System Runs with a Dirty Filter?

Did you know that furnace air filters need to be changed on a regular basis? Changing your air filter is a must. This should happen as frequently as every month to every 12 months or so, depending on the air filter model in use. What happens if you don’t change your furnace filter and your system keeps operating with a dirty, old filter in place?

The furnace air filter’s role is to trap airborne contaminants so that they don’t make their way into the inner chambers of your furnace or air handler unit. Many homeowners believe their purpose is to trap air pollutants for the benefit of better indoor air quality, but this is actually just a bonus perk filters provide in addition to keeping the insides of your equipment clean. When the filter is full, it can no longer trap new particles from the air circulating through it, and these contaminants will be free to cycle into the HVAC equipment.

Let’s take a look at what happens if you don’t change your dirty air filter for a new one:

1. Dirt & Dust Accumulate Inside the Unit

Dirt and dust settling inside your furnace or air handler are what happens if you don’t change your furnace filter. These deposits build up on components inside the unit, restricting their performance. If you have a clogged air filter, the unit will draw more energy to power through this restriction and do its job, raising your energy costs. Your HVAC unit operates less efficiently and these parts encounter added stress that leads to more wear and tear, and eventually breakdowns.

2. Airflow Is Restricted

What happens if you don’t change your furnace filter is that the dirty filter will become a barrier inside the HVAC system, restricting air movement through the equipment and your home. In order to force air through the system and circulate conditioned air to your living areas, the HVAC system will consume more energy to do its job. As a result, your energy costs will increase because the system isn’t operating as efficiently as it should. The system will also experience added stress which takes its toll in the form of wear and tear and future breakdowns.

3. Equipment Overheats

With good airflow blocked by the dirty filter, the interior of your heating equipment can increase in temperature. When the inside of the unit becomes too hot, the limit switch will shut down the heating cycle in an attempt to protect the components from damage. Once the equipment cools down, it will be able to run again – but this issue will continue to repeat. Overheating can damage furnace components and prevent your home from reaching comfortable temperatures due to shortened heating cycles.

4. System Short Cycles

When your dirty furnace filters cause your HVAC unit to overheat and shut down, and then restart again repeatedly, is called short cycling.  Short cycling occurs when the HVAC system doesn’t run for the correct cycle length and the cycle ends prematurely.  Short cycling causes increased energy consumption as your HVAC unit experiences more starts and stops than it should. More frequent starts and stops also stress the system, increasing wear and tear, causing breakdowns and component failures, and ultimately forcing the unit to experience a premature total failure. Constant overheating with each cycle also damages components, leading to more repairs.  Replacing your air filter with a new air filter can help prevent short cycling.

Keep Up with Filter Change Needs

Ultimately what happens if you don’t change your furnace filter is that the system will run less efficiently, costing you more on your energy bills. Components will experience more stress along with wear and tear, causing them to break and require repairs or replacement. Ongoing operation with a dirty filter causes short-cycling, which will end up causing your HVAC system to break down for good and require total system replacement.

Avoid what happens if you don’t change your furnace filter and make HVAC maintenance a priority in your Birmingham, AL area home. Douglas Cooling & Heating offers heating and cooling maintenance tune-ups to care for your HVAC equipment in addition to the filter changes you perform throughout the year. Contact us today to schedule service.

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