Home Damage When Your Interior Temperature Is Too Low
Any Season HVAC • October 19, 2021
Many homeowners attempt to cut household costs wherever they can. For example, many choose to keep their furnace at a low level to reduce costs on electricity or gas. While you can save money with this method, you could actually be doing expensive damage to your home and your HVAC system in the process, which could ultimately result in additional costs on repairs you otherwise would not have.
Here are some things that could suffer damage when you keep your home too cold in the fall and winter.
Damage to Your HVAC System
The last thing you want is to deal with a malfunctioning HVAC in the middle of cold weather. Keeping the heat at a low level will cause imbalance in the air temperature in the home, meaning it has to work harder to each cycle as the home gets colder. The extra work means you will have a system which wears out prematurely or needs maintenance more regularly.
Not allowing consistent airflow through the HVAC also has an impact on the evaporator coils. Condensation gathers on the coils as part of the normal operation of the system. However, when the temperature is too cold, the evaporated liquid can freeze, which can damage the coils.
Damage to Your Plumbing
Other issues can occur when your home is kept too cold. One of those is plumbing damage. Frozen exterior pipes is a common problem when the temperature outside is too cold, but pipes can also freeze inside the house if it gets too cold.
Residual water is always left inside the pipes, which run through many areas of your house. As the water sits with no heat to keep it warm, it freezes. The frozen water will then cause the pipes to expand and break, causing water to leak out and damage your walls, floors, and anywhere else your plumbing runs.
Damage to Your Electronics
Another issue for homes without proper temperatures is damaged electronic equipment. This is particularly true for televisions and computer monitors, as they are more sensitive.
In a cold home, the inside mechanisms of electronic equipment are cold but will create condensation when heated. An electronic device gradually warms up when you turn it on, and as it warms up, the cold will essentially turn to moisture, which is a dangerous mix. The result will be equipment which shorts out prematurely or will not function at all.
Damage to Your House Plants
House plants are to be inside for a good reason. They need a certain level of sunlight and temperature to flourish. When your interior temperature is too cold, the plants will suffer. While you may notice some plants with leaf damage, other plants can die if they are too cold. If you still intend to keep your temperatures low, you need to place your plants near a warm source, such as a sunny window.
The temperatures do not need to be incredibly low for these damages to occur. You should consider leaving your thermostat at a comfortable level without being as cold as outdoor temperatures.
If you need to save money, consider a programmable thermostat. You can program your temperatures to set a bit lower during the day while you are away, then set it higher in the evening when it is the coldest.
If you need help with your furnace or any part of your HVAC system, please contact us at Any Season Heating & Air Conditioning . We have 25 years of experience in every area of heating and air conditioning. We would be happy to help you with all your HVAC needs at any time of year.
Here are some things that could suffer damage when you keep your home too cold in the fall and winter.
Damage to Your HVAC System
The last thing you want is to deal with a malfunctioning HVAC in the middle of cold weather. Keeping the heat at a low level will cause imbalance in the air temperature in the home, meaning it has to work harder to each cycle as the home gets colder. The extra work means you will have a system which wears out prematurely or needs maintenance more regularly.
Not allowing consistent airflow through the HVAC also has an impact on the evaporator coils. Condensation gathers on the coils as part of the normal operation of the system. However, when the temperature is too cold, the evaporated liquid can freeze, which can damage the coils.
Damage to Your Plumbing
Other issues can occur when your home is kept too cold. One of those is plumbing damage. Frozen exterior pipes is a common problem when the temperature outside is too cold, but pipes can also freeze inside the house if it gets too cold.
Residual water is always left inside the pipes, which run through many areas of your house. As the water sits with no heat to keep it warm, it freezes. The frozen water will then cause the pipes to expand and break, causing water to leak out and damage your walls, floors, and anywhere else your plumbing runs.
Damage to Your Electronics
Another issue for homes without proper temperatures is damaged electronic equipment. This is particularly true for televisions and computer monitors, as they are more sensitive.
In a cold home, the inside mechanisms of electronic equipment are cold but will create condensation when heated. An electronic device gradually warms up when you turn it on, and as it warms up, the cold will essentially turn to moisture, which is a dangerous mix. The result will be equipment which shorts out prematurely or will not function at all.
Damage to Your House Plants
House plants are to be inside for a good reason. They need a certain level of sunlight and temperature to flourish. When your interior temperature is too cold, the plants will suffer. While you may notice some plants with leaf damage, other plants can die if they are too cold. If you still intend to keep your temperatures low, you need to place your plants near a warm source, such as a sunny window.
The temperatures do not need to be incredibly low for these damages to occur. You should consider leaving your thermostat at a comfortable level without being as cold as outdoor temperatures.
If you need to save money, consider a programmable thermostat. You can program your temperatures to set a bit lower during the day while you are away, then set it higher in the evening when it is the coldest.
If you need help with your furnace or any part of your HVAC system, please contact us at Any Season Heating & Air Conditioning . We have 25 years of experience in every area of heating and air conditioning. We would be happy to help you with all your HVAC needs at any time of year.
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Prepare Your Furnace For Winter!
Winter is approaching soon and you know what that means - high heating bills. While staying warm is essential during the chilly months, it doesn't have to come at the cost of skyrocketing utility bills. With a few simple strategies and maintenance tips, you can keep your home cozy without breaking the bank. Our professional technicians at Any Season HVAC have over 25 years of experience and have picked up on many tips on how to save money during the cold winters! 1. Regular Furnace Maintenance One of the most critical steps to ensure your furnace operates efficiently and economically is to schedule regular maintenance. An annual check-up by a professional technician can identify and address any issues, such as clogged filters or worn-out parts, before they lead to higher energy consumption and costly repairs. 2. Replace Air Filters A clean air filter is essential for efficient furnace operation. Dirty or clogged filters restrict airflow, causing your furnace to work harder and use more energy to maintain your desired temperature. Check and replace your furnace filters regularly, typically every one to three months, depending on the filter type and usage. If they’re running less, you’ll be saving much more money. 3. Upgrade to a Programmable Thermostat Investing in a programmable thermostat can significantly reduce your heating costs. These smart devices allow you to set different temperatures for various times of the day, automatically lowering the heat when you're away or sleeping and raising it when you're home and awake. This can result in substantial energy savings over time. 4. Seal Air Leaks Drafts and air leaks around windows, doors, and other openings can let cold air in and warm air out, making your furnace work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. Inspect your home for any gaps and seal them with caulk or weatherstripping. Additionally, consider adding insulation to your attic and walls to further improve energy efficiency. 5. Utilize Zone Heating Instead of heating your entire home uniformly, consider using zone heating. This involves heating only the rooms you use most frequently, like the living room and bedrooms, while keeping unused areas cooler. Space heaters or ductless mini-split systems can help you achieve this and reduce your overall heating costs. 6. Maximize Natural Sunlight During the day, open curtains and blinds to let natural sunlight in. Sunlight can naturally warm your home, reducing the need for your furnace to work overtime. Just remember to close them at night to retain as much heat as possible. 7. Lower the Thermostat at Night Lowering your thermostat a few degrees when you go to sleep can lead to substantial savings. You can compensate by using extra blankets or wearing warmer pajamas. A programmable thermostat makes it easy to automate this temperature adjustment. 8. Keep Furniture and Drapes Away from Vents Ensure that furniture, rugs, and drapes do not obstruct heating vents or radiators. Blocking these sources of heat can reduce their efficiency and force your furnace to work harder. Not only that, but it is also a fire hazard to have objects close to hot vents. Lowering your heating bills during the winter doesn't mean sacrificing comfort. By implementing these tips and making a few adjustments to your heating habits, you can stay cozy while saving on energy costs. Remember that a well-maintained furnace and a well-insulated home are your allies in achieving both warmth and savings. Take these steps, and you'll not only enjoy a comfortable winter but also a lighter load on your wallet. Our experts at Any Season Heating & Air Conditioning can help give you advice on which system to go with to help save you money. Heating and cooling gets expensive during winter and summer so do what you can to avoid those bills. Contact us today to get more info on your furnace. We serve all of the Chicagoland area in towns such as Mokena , Palos Park , Palos Heights , Frankfort , Lockport , and more!
