The vast majority of the United States just went through an extreme cold snap, and we’re now all being reminded of just how much harder our furnaces work during this time of year.
Cold snaps always place an extreme demand on residential heating systems, and this unfortunately exposes hidden issues that aren’t noticeable during mild weather patterns.
What’s even worse is that a lot of households experience furnace breakdowns when it’s least convenient—and the most expensive.
That’s why we recently interviewed the furnace repair experts in Salt Lake City, UT at Apex Clean Air to get a professional glimpse into the most common cold-weather furnace issues that homeowners should know about.
So, check out the below sections to see what you should be on the lookout for regarding your home’s heating system during cold snaps—as well as how you can do your part toward preventing serious dilemmas when temperatures suddenly plummet!
Dirty & Clogged Air Filters
By far one of the most frequent root causes of furnace repairs during the coldest months of the year is dirty and clogged air filters.
When your furnace is inevitably running longer cycles in order to ensure indoor temperatures, a clogged filter will restrict the system’s airflow.
This forces the system to overwork itself, which then leads to serious problems like reduced efficiency, overheating and sudden shutdowns.
In order to prevent these types of furnace repairs, you’ll need to regularly check and replace your HVAC filters at least every 1-3 months.
If your house has high dust levels or pets, you’ll likely need to swap out your filters even more frequently—especially during winter.
Pilot Light & Ignition Failures
Many gas furnaces heavily rely on pilot lights or ignition systems to initiate the heating process.
This can be particularly problematic during cold snaps, because these types of ignition components can struggle due to common dilemmas like dirt buildup, wearing and aging components.
If your home’s furnace is repeatedly clicking but failing to ignite, it’s a red flag that the source of your repair lies in the flame sensor or igniter.
To prevent this problem, you’ll likely need to invest in annual inspections from your local HVAC professionals in order to ensure that your ignition systems are properly calibrated, clean and reliably functional—all before cold snaps arrive.
HVAC Thermostat Repairs
It’s also common for thermostat problems to be exposed during cold weather snaps, and this is especially the case for older units.
When a thermostat loses calibration or becomes inaccurate, it’s ends up becoming a signal to the furnace system that leads to inadequate heating or short cycling. And in some scenarios, your thermostat batteries might die during cold snaps—which will leave you unexpectedly without heat.
The best way to prevent HVAC thermostat repairs is to regularly replace your thermostat batteries at the beginning of each winter season.
You should also make sure that your thermostats are placed away from direct sunlight, drafts, or any other heat sources that could potentially distort readings.
Blocked or Frozen Vent Pipes
Many high-efficiency furnace systems are specifically designed to exhaust gases outside via PVC pipes.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with this, but condensation can freeze inside these pipes during extremely cold days—which can trigger safety shutoffs and block airflow. Ice, snow, and other debris accumulation around your home’s exterior vents can also create similar problems.
In order to prevent frozen or blocked vent pipes, you’ll need to inspect your exterior vent pipes on a regular basis during the winter. Be sure to clear away any ice or snow that has accumulated around the vents.
Professional maintenance appointments will also be helpful in terms of ensuring the type of proper vent slope and drainage that reduces freezing risks.
Belt & Blower Motor Issues
Your furnace’s blower motor is what circulates warm air throughout your property.
These components are particularly important during cold snaps, because your motor will inevitably be running harder and longer—which increases the chances of failures.
It’s possible for furnace system belts to loosen, crack or snap during extremely cold days and nights.
This then results in troubling issues like weak system airflow, or potentially no heat at all at your property.
To prevent this from happening at your house, you’ll need to invest in routine furnace tune-up appointments that include double-checking belts, lubricating all moving parts, and testing your furnace’s motor performance well before cold weather creates extra system demand.
Overheating & Limit Switch Problems
When your heating system has restricted airflow or you have dirty internal components, it can potentially lead to your furnace overheating.
Your furnace’s limit switch is specifically designed to shut the system down when internal temperatures get too high, but consistent overheating can potentially lead to permanent damages that are difficult to reverse.
In order to prevent limit switch and overheating ordeals, you’ll need to keep your filters clean and schedule professional cleaning appointments at least twice per year to guarantee proper airflow and prevent the overall likelihood of overheating.
Failures With Electrical Components
Your furnace’s electrical relays, connections and control boards are all susceptible to stress during cold snaps.
Loose connections or old wiring can potentially fail after prolonged system usage, which then causes faulty operations or even total shutdowns.
To prevent these types of electrical failures, you’ll need to get pro furnace repair inspections to identify whether or not your system has aging electrical components that need to be replaced.
Keeping Your Home Warm When It Matters Most!
You shouldn’t have to worry about potential furnace failures when cold snaps arrive in your area.
By simply understanding some of the common breakdowns that we listed in the above sections, you can in turn take proactive steps like keeping vents clear, replacing filters, and scheduling preventative maintenance appointments.
Homeowners can always protect their valuable heating systems from all sorts of winter stresses, because through a little preparation, you’ll be doing your part toward keeping your entire household safe, warm and comfortable until spring arrives again!
