How Do I Keep My Heat During Extreme Cold Weather?

You keep your heat through extreme cold by getting the system checked before winter, keeping airflow unobstructed, and not asking it to work harder than it must. The Tri-Cities can see nights well below freezing, and a furnace that is already worn is most likely to quit right when demand is highest.

Most of what helps is simple, and some of it costs nothing.

Start before the cold arrives

The best protection is a checkup in early fall. A technician can test safety controls, clean burners and sensors, and spot parts that are close to failing. It is far easier to replace a worn igniter or blower motor in October than during a freeze, when parts and appointments are hard to find.

Replace the filter before the season starts. A clogged filter restricts airflow, makes the furnace run hotter and can trip its safety limit, shutting the heat off. During a long cold spell, check it monthly.

Give the system room to work

• Keep supply registers and return grilles clear of rugs, furniture and drapes.
• Leave interior doors open, or make sure return air can get out of closed rooms.
• Keep the area around the furnace free of storage, boxes and anything flammable.
• Make sure outdoor vents and intakes for high-efficiency furnaces are not covered by snow, ice or debris.
• Keep the outdoor unit of a heat pump clear of snow and ice buildup.

High-efficiency furnaces vent through plastic pipes on the outside of the house. After a storm, take a look and clear away anything blocking them. A blocked intake or exhaust will shut the furnace down for safety.

Use the thermostat wisely

In deep cold, avoid big setbacks. Dropping the temperature many degrees overnight and then asking the furnace to recover in the morning can leave it running without ever catching up. A steadier setting is easier on the equipment. If you are away, keep the house warm enough to protect pipes, generally not below the mid 50s.

Reduce the load on your furnace

Anything that holds heat in helps the furnace. Close the fireplace damper when it is not in use, seal visible gaps around doors and windows, and close drapes at night to cut down on heat loss through glass. Draw the curtains open on sunny days so the sun helps out.

Check that crawl space vents and attic hatches are closed and sealed, since heat loss through those spots can be considerable. These small steps lower the amount of heat the house needs, which is the same as helping the furnace last through the cold.

Pipes deserve a thought as well. In a hard freeze, open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls so warm air reaches the plumbing, and let a faucet drip slightly if the forecast is severe. If the furnace stops for any reason, these habits buy you time.

Know the warning signs

Call a professional if the furnace short cycles, makes banging or grinding sounds, produces weak airflow or does not start. If you smell gas, leave the house and call your gas provider from outside. If your carbon monoxide alarm sounds, get everyone outside and call emergency services.

Never use an oven, a grill or a gas range to heat the home, and never run a generator inside the house or garage. Portable heaters should be used carefully, kept away from anything flammable, and never left running unattended.

Have a plan for the worst night

Keep the phone number of a heating company somewhere you can find it in the dark, and have warm blankets within reach. Air-Tech provides 24-hour emergency service across Pasco, Kennewick, Richland and nearby communities. Call (509) 392-2021 any time, and consider their maintenance plan, which includes two visits a year, so the system is ready before cold weather returns.