March 31, 2014
Every year we witness sub-zero temperatures in winter. Your HVAC system may find it hard to cope with the frigid temperatures.
HVAC experts feel that most HVAC systems work best when the outside temperatures are around five degrees. But when the outside temperatures drop below this level, you may start to feel that the heating system is probably not working as well. However, this is not a sign of a faulty HVAC system, but that the outside temperature is too low for the HVAC system, and you may have to take some other steps to feel more comfortable inside your home.
Preparing Your Home for Sub-Zero Temperatures
Here are some simple tips to help you prepare your house for sub-zero temperatures. They will help make your house warmer, and you will feel more comfortable.
• To start with, you should get a complete HVAC maintenance done before the onset of winter. Proper system tune-ups will ensure that the heating system is prepared to work at its peak efficiency. You should also ask your HVAC company to clean or replace the filter if required.
• During very cold weather, you must never set back the thermostat in order to save energy. This will put an extra load on the system, and it will have to work harder to warm up after it has been set back. This energy saving strategy should be delayed until the outside temperature reaches a comfortable level.
• You must bear in mind that by setting your thermostat to a higher level you will not be able to attain a higher temperature. If the furnace or boiler is unable to maintain a certain temperature, setting the thermostat higher will not be of any help.
• Dry air may make you feel colder. So try to increase the humidity levels. It may not increase the temperature but will certainly make you feel more comfortable. Ask your HVAC company to install a humidifier if you already don’t have one. A whole-house humidifier would be great. If you do not have a humidifier, boiling a large pot of water can help increase humidity to some extent.
• Ensure that your house is properly insulated so that the furnace does not have to work harder. Seal all leakages to ensure that cold air does not enter the house. The use of exhaust fans should be avoided as much as possible.
• You may consider using a space heater if you feel that a certain room is a little too cold.