There's nothing quite as relaxing as curling up in a cozy warm house on a cold winter's day. Yet, this experience is ruined when your home is still chilly after kicking up the heat. There are a variety of factors that impact a heating system's effectiveness, and by understanding them, you can get back to a perfectly comfortable home. Here are three of the most common culprits.

Why Your Home Is Still Cold

1. Air Leaks

When cold air leaks into your home and heated air leaks out, it becomes impossible for the furnace to maintain the interior temperature. Not only do these drafts make your home uncomfortable, but they also cost you money. In fact, up to 40% of a home's annual HVAC energy usage is spent on air leaks. To eliminate the problem, you need to effectively detect the location of drafts and seal them. The weatherstripping around windows and exterior doors is an excellent place to start.

2. Unbalanced Distribution

Central heating systems rely on ducts to effectively distribute the air throughout your home. They also depend on intake vents to pull air into the blower for heating. If there's not a perfect balance between these two efforts — such as less intake air access than supply vents, then the system doesn't operate effectively. Fortunately, identifying imbalance is one of the aspects of regular HVAC maintenance. In many cases, adding more intake vents is the ideal solution.

3. Inhibited Airflow

Intake air must first go through a filter before it's heated. This helps protect the furnace from airborne particles as well as improve the structure's indoor air quality. However, when the filter becomes clogged, the airflow is reduced. For that reason, you need to change out the filter at least every three months or monthly for pet owners and allergy sufferers.

Keep your home comfortable and climate-controlled year-round with the help of Howington's Heating & Cooling, LLC in Cornelia, GA. For over 20 years, the family-owned business has served the heating and cooling needs of residents across Habersham and White counties. From furnace maintenance to AC repair, the HVAC technicians are committed to providing top-quality, dependable work. Request assistance with your heating system today at (706) 776-7000.