Florida Weather: Cold Fronts and Your Home
Florida doesn’t get “very cold” often, but when it does, crazy things happen…like iguanas falling out of trees! Remember that brief cold snap that hit Florida a few weeks ago? While it certainly wasn’t an arctic blast, it was legit COLD. Well to us Floridians anyway. Let’s look at common issues that come to play when the weather gets cold(ish) in Tampa Bay!
What is a Cold Snap?
In Florida, when lows drop into the low 40s and 30s, we’re experiencing a cold front. With the Wind Chill in the upper 20s and low 30s, think of the poor iguanas...and your cold extremities. When these cold snaps occur, the impact isn’t just on iguanas, but your home too.
Heating System Issues in Colder Weather
Integrity Home Solutions can help with these common cold–weather issues!
Heat Cycling:
During these brief cold snaps, you may notice your heater turning on and off more often than usual. This is called heat cycling, and it’s not good for your system OR your wallet.
Heat cycling is a possible indication of a dirty blower or filter or a malfunctioning thermostat. Try to fix the issue yourself by replacing the filter and making sure the thermostat is working correctly. If neither of those options work, call a professional HVAC repair company to take a look.
Dry Air:
Dry air can be troublesome, especially for areas that are typically humid. Several common issues that occur can include dry and itchy skin, cracks in woodwork and wood furniture, and problems with the heating system efficiency.
Dry air holds less heat, so it takes longer for your home to warm up. The best way to remedy this is with a humidifier – an individual unit or one that is professionally installed in your HVAC system.
Inconsistent Heating:
When a cold front hits, you want your entire house to be properly heated, not spending your life under a blanket…
If there is inconsistency in temperature from room to room, it could be caused by a malfunctioning part in your system or an issue with your home. Walk around and look for cracks or holes around windows and doors and make sure your weatherstripping is intact.
If everything checks out, it could be the heating system’s coils, a dirty air filter, grimy air ducts, or clogged vents. Whatever the cause, have it checked by a licensed HVAC professional immediately.
Lack of Heat:
If your heater isn’t working, it could be due to several reasons. The best-case scenario is that your thermostat needs fresh batteries. If that doesn’t solve the problem, check your heat pump and make sure it is functioning properly.
It is not uncommon for a heat pump to ice up, especially if it doesn’t have a defrost setting. You’ll also want to check to see if the pilot light in your furnace is on. The lack of heat could be caused by a grime buildup in the assembly, which would require professional maintenance and cleaning.
If the pilot light is on, but there still is no heat, it could be an issue with the main burner, gas valves, control board or flame sensor. An experienced HVAC professional such as Integrity Home Solutions will be able to detect a problem and offer the best solution.
Don’t be an Iguana! Call our Tampa Heating Service
Integrity Home Solutions is one of the most trusted names in Tampa Bay. Our maintenance services start at just $49. Plus, we have an affordable priority plan to stay on top of your home AC maintenance. Call our repair and installation company 24/7. We’re available for all emergency services! Reach us at [hls_phone_number].
