There are common reasons why a house may be colder than it should be during the winter months when the furnace or heating system is running. For example, there may be drafts that haven’t been identified and corrected. In other cases, a cooler home could indicate a problem with the furnace itself. Heating and cooling technicians in Minnetonka help detect furnace problems and identify repairs necessary to boost performance.

The flame sensor may simply need cleaning if the system starts to blow warm air during the initial stages before starting to turn cold altogether. The flame sensor can become dirty, which prevents the gas burner from functioning. A problem with the ignition system could also result in cooler air. The furnace’s inability to light the fuel properly leads to cooler air.

Dirty air filters restrict airflow and cause the system to work harder than it normally would. System fatigue causes cooler air to be released. Gas supply could be limited altogether. There may be a problem with the gas line if too little gas is being produced to power the unit.

An aging furnace is susceptible to clogging. Condensation could clog the lines and cause the switch to have a difficult time lighting. The burner can’t light properly if the condensation cannot be removed.

Should the system be replaced?

Heating and cooling experts in Edina may recommend system replacement in a number of circumstances. For example, if the repairs required costs substantially more than the current value, the system may need to be replaced. If energy bills continue to climb, a newer system with a higher AFUE rating could potentially lower heating costs by nearly 20 percent.

If the repairs become more frequent and increasingly expensive, the homeowner may need furnace replacement instead of repair.

Addressing drafts in the home and sealing off the heat ducts can certainly help eliminate heat loss. When the problem is with the furnace itself, professionals should be called in to make the necessary repairs that will improve the system’s performance. The first step in resolving any furnace issue is to get the system diagnosed by heating and cooling experts.