Finding Comfort In Southern Winters: Why Furnace Maintenance Matters More In Today’s Changing Climate
Although southern states for the most part stray away from blizzards and freezing temperatures, our more temperate climate doesn’t excuse homeowners from skipping out on their HVAC upkeep.
In fact, the unpredictable nature of the South’s climate actually creates a whole array of unique heating challenges—which a lot of locals don’t understand, until it’s too late.
We recently got in touch with the furnace maintenance leaders in Westminster, Colorado at Apex Clean Air to get a more in-depth understanding of what southern homeowners need to keep in mind regarding energy-efficiency and humidity concerns—and the answers we received were truly startling…
So, check out the below sections to see how you can keep your furnace well-maintained this winter and ensure a safe and comfortable winter season at your house!
Why Mild Southern Winters Still Require Professional Furnace Maintenance
Winter weather tends to swing wildly in the South from perfectly warm afternoons to surprisingly frigid nighttime hours, and it’s precisely these rapid fluctuations that put added stress on residential heating systems.
It’s normal for Southern homes to not continuously run furnaces all winter long, which leads to people turning them on and off based on outdoor temperatures. This type of stop-and-start system pattern can actually create wearing on essential components, which reduces the system’s overall efficiency and makes failures far more likely.
The good news is that regular furnace maintenance appointments each fall make it easier for people to ensure that their heating system responds safely, quickly and reliably when it’s needed most!
Indoor Humidity: What Too Many Southern Homeowners Forget About In The Winter
Another huge reason why seasonal furnace maintenance is so important for southern homeowners is moisture.
It’s no secret how many southern states maintain high humidity levels all year-round, and it’s important for homeowners to remember that moisture will find its way into homes even when temperatures drop during the winter.
Humidity is known for wreaking havoc on HVAC system components and filters, but routine tune-ups will prepare furnaces in terms of preventing all sorts of moisture-related damages. Not only does this improve your furnace system’s functional lifespan, but it also helps you ensure healthy indoor air quality (IAQ) in every room of your home!
Energy Efficiency Still Matters When Furnaces Rarely Run
Another common misconception is that many southern homeowners think that their furnace doesn’t need as much upkeep because they don’t use it all that often.
The truth is that even if you use your heating system sparingly, you’ll still drive up your energy bills unnecessarily when you have an inefficient furnace. This is particularly the case for furnaces that have clogged filters, struggle to ignite, or have been slowed down by worn-out parts.
Even relatively brief bursts of winter heating will become abnormally expensive when a furnace system is suffering from these sorts of issues, but routine maintenance appointments conducted by experienced technicians will always ensure that a home’s system reduces utility costs and operates efficiently by keeping homes warm and not wasting energy!
Preventing Sudden Heating System Breakdowns
Nothing puts a damper on a cozy winter evening quite like a home’s furnace not working or turning on at all.
Because many furnaces sit idle for long stretches of time here in the South, they’re particularly prone to startup dilemmas like blower motor issues, failing igniters and seized components.
Regular yearly inspections can help people detect these problems long before they turn into an emergency repair job, and your local HVAC technicians will also double-check many other safety components like burner assemblies, carbon monoxide detectors and gas line connections in order to ensure that you and your family can have peace of mind all winter long!
Improving Indoor Comfort Within Older Homes
There are many beautiful historic communities in southern cities like Charleston, Savannah and New Orleans—and these neighborhoods often feature older homes that weren’t actually designed with modern HVAC systems in mind.
This is why older homes often experience issues like limited insulation, drafty windows and outdated ductwork. And when winter arrives, these pesky problems often create inefficient or uneven indoor heating.
Furnace maintenance is particularly important for these older residential environments, because a thorough tune-up can help reduce heat loss, maximize airflow, and guarantee that a heating system isn’t working harder than it’s actually supposed to!
Furnace Maintenance Is An Easy Step Toward More Comfortable Winters
When it comes down to it, furnace maintenance isn’t just about preventing HVAC breakdowns—because it’s also about supporting your home’s comfortable living during the coldest days of the year.
Furnace maintenance also keeps your utility bills more manageable, and it ensures that you’ll be ready for any surprises that winter brings. And even if cold weather only lasts in your area for a matter of a few weeks, you’ll still know that the cold spells will be stress-free, safe and warm.
So, by giving your furnace the attention it needs prior to temperatures dipping, you’ll be able to set your household up for a winter season filled with ease and comfort!
