Home Comfort Questions? Our Heating FAQs Have the Answers
At River City Heating & Air Conditioning, we pride ourselves on helping Winona-area homeowners better understand their home comfort systems. We also know that part of staying comfortable at home is knowing what to do if your systems don’t work. That’s why we’ve put together these heating FAQs.
- What Are the Warning Signs That My Heating System Needs Repair?
There are a few telltale signs that your furnace needs a fix:- It’s 15-20 years old (or older)
- It blows out cold air
- The pilot light is yellow instead of blue
- You see big increases in your energy bills
- How Do I Know When I Need a New Furnace or Boiler?
If a repair is too expensive or too dangerous to make—or if your furnace is simply too old to fix—that’s when we recommend a new installation. Don’t worry, though—the experts at River City can help you every step of the way, from measuring your home and laying out your most cost-effective replacement options to the actual installation. - How Often Does My Heating System Need Maintenance?
We recommend scheduling HVAC maintenance once a year to help your unit run efficiently for longer—it’s also an opportunity to catch issues before the system fails. You can schedule it at any time of year—consider giving us a call in the spring to beat the service rush in the fall. How Can I Reduce Cold Spots in My Home?
Having inconsistent temperatures from room to room can be frustrating. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to heat your home more evenly:- Switch your fan setting to “On” so it constantly circulates air
- Consider a zoning system—this lets you control temperatures room by room instead of heating the whole house
- If you have manual dampers, adjust them to manually control airflow according to your comfort needs
- What Is the Best Way to Reduce My Heating Bills?
Perhaps the best way to conserve energy is to not blast heat in the winter, but we know that’s not always realistic. To help save money, we recommend these tips:- Schedule routine maintenance
- Change your air filters every one to three months
- Seal drafty doors and windows
- Use a Wi-Fi thermostat to monitor your comfort and energy usage
- Keep curtains open during the day to let warm sunlight in
Should I Close Air Vents in Rooms I Don’t Use?
Closing air vents actually does more harm than good. Your furnace or boiler is designed to keep a certain amount of air flowing through your home. So if you close a vent, static pressure increases and puts more stress on the heating system. This can lead to motor failure and system breakdowns. If your goal is to reduce energy costs, consider a zoning heating system, which can warm rooms on an individual basis.
Still Have Questions? Let’s Talk
We know that, unless something goes wrong, you don’t normally think about your heating system. But we do. We want you to be as comfortable as possible. So if you still have questions—whether they’re heating and cooling questions or about indoor air quality—don’t hesitate to reach out. Call us at (507) 454-7689 or contact us online.
