Furnace Woes of an Alaska Cold Snap

The temperature has gone sub-zero and with it your furnace is putting out odd noises? You may be left to wonder why some rooms in the house are cold come what may with the thermostat. Or perhaps you have a nagging fear the heating system will give up when you can least afford it.

We at Hardy Heating Inc know what a furnace endures in the grip of a hard cold snap; we have been the ones to put warmth in South Central Alaska for the better part of three decades, since 1994. For quick assistance one can reach us on (907) 917-4286.

There is no time like a drop in the mercury for a furnace to work its hardest and for minor issues to become major ones. We have put together an account of the problems we are apt to see once the cold has taken hold of the Valley so you are not caught without heat.

What Puts a Furnace Under Stress

At 40 below the furnace does not get much of a respite. It has to run longer, contend with the cold air coming in and put heat in every room. The demand is such that a system which was fine in October can be hard put to it in January.

But for the most part a furnace will telegraph its failures in cold weather if you are attuned to them.

Typical Problems in these Parts

These are the sorts of things we come across in an Alaska cold snap:

• Short cycling, the home not being properly warmed as the unit turns over and over
• Vents giving off weak or cold air from a running unit
• Banging, rattling or squealing on start up
• One that will not attain the set temperature despite running non stop
• Condensate lines that are frozen or snow blocking the intake and exhaust
• An ignition or pilot light that will not hold
• A total shutdown with no restart

In Alaska you do not want to make light of a heating failure when the conditions outside are hazardous.

Airflow and Clogged Filters

Poor heating is frequently down to a dirty filter. Clog it and the air is impeded, forcing the furnace to overheat or shut itself down. In a cold snap a filter that was only marginally good will clog all the faster. It is an easy enough matter to check and put in a new one.

Problems with the Pilot and Ignition

Should the furnace make an attempt to start and not fire, look to the ignition. Be it a bad flame sensor, an ignitor past its prime or a pilot that will not stay alight, you will be without heat. With gas in the equation there is no guessing at the repair, a professional should be called.

Snow on the Vents

Exterior wall vents for exhaust and intake are common in an Alaska home. Put down a heavy drift and the furnace will detect the obstruction and power down. After a big storm this is more of an occurrence than one might think, so it pays to see that the vents are free of ice and snow.

Old Parts and Unusual Sounds

A grinding or screeching is indicative of a loose component or something wearing thin. The blowers, motors and belts are under more of a load in a cold snap and worn parts have a way of failing at the worst time. Do not put off action if the sound of your furnace has changed.

Make a Call to a Pro

You can clear a vent or put in a filter on your own. Repeated shutdowns, short cycling or a refusal to ignite call for a technician. An early diagnosis is the best way to stave off a breakdown in the dead of winter.

Our service area includes Anchorage, Wasilla, Palmer, Willow, Sutton-Alpine, Fishhook and Knik-Fairview. Hardy Heating Inc is an A+ rated company with the Better Business Bureau and we have financing available for those who need it. We are open weekdays from 8:00am until 5:00pm.

Give us a ring at (907) 917-4286 before the cold snap finds you with a furnace on the fritz and let us put some heat in the Valley for you.