A northern winter puts your heating system under immense pressure. It works harder for longer, so it’s not uncommon to experience HVAC problems at some point during the season. Regular maintenance from an experienced professional should reduce the need for heat pump or furnace repair, but if you haven’t had a chance to schedule a checkup, here are three frequent issues to look out for.

3 Winter HVAC Problems & How to Prevent Them

1. Uneven Airflow

An HVAC unit disperses air equally around your home. If some of your rooms are warm while others make you shiver, something’s wrong. Before calling out a heating professional, take a look around. Drafty windows and doors let in cold air, but you can usually fix these with draft excluders along the bottom. Weatherstripping or caulking can improve the situation in a room as well.

Check your vents, too, because if furniture or a rug is covering one, it will affect airflow. If you still have heating issues, now’s the time to call in a furnace repair technician, as you might have a blockage in one of your air ducts.

2. Insufficient Heat

Is your heating running at the usual setting but doesn’t feel as warm? Or maybe the airflow is weaker? There are a couple of things you can check. If your filters are dirty, your HVAC unit won’t operate as efficiently. Most filters need changing every three months, but check your manufacturer’s instructions in case yours differs.

Dry air could also be a factor. It holds less heat, so even if your heating settings haven’t changed, it will feel colder. A humidifier puts moisture back into the air, helping maintain a comfortable temperature.

3. Malfunctioning Heat Pump

If you have a heat pump instead of a traditional gas furnace, you probably know how it’s prone to winter issues as it transfers heat energy from one source to another. Temperatures near zero can freeze the fans and coils inside your heat pump’s outdoor element and cause the equipment to stop working.

Fortunately, you can take measures to prevent it from getting that far. For the best results, have your heat pump professionally serviced before the worst of the cold weather sets in. In the meantime, stop it from freezing over by keeping your defrost setting turned on if you have one—or regularly defrost it by hand using a hairdryer until the HVAC cavalry can arrive.

If you’re having heating issues, call Silver Tree Plumbing & Heating in Mendota Heights, MN. With over 100 years of experience between them, the highly skilled team offers premier HVAC services in Dakota County. These professionals are trained in all areas of installation, repair, and regular maintenance, and they offer 24-hour emergency services. For heat pump or furnace repair, call (651) 319-4200 today for an upfront and honest estimate with no hidden fees. Visit them online to learn more about the company.