On a cold winter day, there is nothing more frustrating than not getting enough heat from your heating system. Unfortunately, a heater not being hot enough is a common problem, and there are a number of reasons why your home may be affected. Generally, the problem is related to maintenance or lack of care that can be quickly and easily remedied by a professional and experienced HVAC technician.
How Your Heating System Works:
Contrary to common beliefs, regardless of the temperature you set your thermostat, the air coming out of the vents is the same. This air is usually at a temperature of between 80 and 90º. As the heated air circulates around your home, it mixes with the unconditioned air, increasing the ambient temperature to your desired level. Turning up your thermostat will not necessarily make the heated air hotter, rather it will allow your heating system to run for a longer period.
Before the regulations for energy efficiency were implemented for HVAC systems, furnaces could heat the air up to 140º. This intense heating process used far more fuel and was an inefficient method of comfortably heating a home. Typically exhaust pipes are manufactured to handle temperatures of up to 80º. This restriction means that if the air is heated above these temperatures, the excess heat must be released before it can enter the ductwork. This meant that on older furnace systems, up to half the heat was lost before it could be used to heat the home.
Modern furnaces rated at 80 to 90 percent energy efficiency, heat the air to approximately 100º. Since exhaust pipes can safely handle 80º of heat, there is less heat wasted, allowing the home to be comfortably heated and energy to be saved.
Why You Have Low Quality Heat:
If you feel that your heating is not hot enough, there could be several reasons for this. Since we have established that the firepower of your furnace does not particularly impact the actual air temperature, you will need to consider whether you have any holes or leaks in your ductwork. This will allow heated air to escape and introduce cold air into the system. When you repair the ductwork, you should immediately notice that your heating system feels warmer, and it will be more energy efficient.
Another reason your system may not feel hot enough is that your air filters are dirty. Most HVAC systems are fitted with several air filters, but when these become clogged with lint, pet hair and other particles of debris, it can impact efficiency. A blocked filter restricts air flow in the ducts, forcing the system to work harder to maintain the temperature. The filters in your HVAC system should be regularly checked and changed or cleaned when they become dirty to avoid additional stress on the system.
Your system may also have a component fault. Components such as the blower motor can have a significant impact on the air temperature should they become worn. The blower motor pushes air throughout the ductwork, so if it becomes damaged, the air inside your home will not feel warmed.
Contact your local HVAC company for regular maintenance.