You are viewing the Cody, WY location.
Cody winters can be hard on heating systems, especially when temperatures drop below freezing for days at a time. You don’t want to find out your furnace, boiler, or heat pump isn’t keeping up when the first deep freeze arrives. Even if your furnace or boiler is heating your home, some components could be wearing out without you realizing it. Our team at Big Horn Heating & Cooling has been helping homeowners throughout the Big Horn Basin since 2007. Here are some practical steps you can take now and what to have checked during our heating tune-ups.
Change Your Heating Filter and Check Your Vents
Most disposable heat pump and furnace filters need to be swapped out every 30 to 90 days, but pets, dust, allergens, and nonstop heating cycles can mean more frequent changes. If you notice the filter is visibly dirty, go ahead and change it now. Keep furniture and rugs away from vents, and test your thermostat to make sure the heat turns on and reaches the set temperature.
Warning Signs Your Heating System Needs Maintenance
Some heating problems are easy to miss in October, especially when your system is only running for a few hours a day. Before temperatures drop, watch for:
- Cold rooms or radiators: If some rooms aren’t heating properly, there could be trapped air or circulation and heating problems.
- Leaks or pressure changes: Check around your boiler and visible pipes for water and pay attention to any pressure gauge drops.
- Blocked outdoor equipment: Clear leaves and debris from around your heat pump, and make sure snow won’t pile up against it.
- Excessive ice buildup: Some frost on a heat pump is normal, but thick ice that doesn’t melt during defrost cycles could mean there are issues.
- Higher electric bills: Watch your bills for higher energy use, which could mean your heat is running more than necessary.
- Unusual burning odors: A brief dusty smell when you turn on the heat can be normal, but a strong or persistent burning smell needs attention. If you smell gas, leave immediately and call your gas utility or emergency services from outside.
- New banging or clicking noises: A few sounds when your heat starts up is normal, but loud banging, repeated clicking, or new noises could mean issues with your ignition system or other components.
During your tune-up, we’ll check the furnace’s airflow, burners, combustion, venting, and safety controls for problems that could affect performance or safety. For boilers, we’ll inspect water pressure, circulation, and safety controls, while heat pump service includes checking the defrost system and backup heat.
Keep Furnace and Boiler Exhaust Vents Clear of Snow
Before the snow starts drifting, take a quick picture of where your furnace or boiler’s intake and exhaust pipes exit the house. Snowdrifts can block these pipes, potentially causing the system to shut down or creating a carbon monoxide hazard if exhaust gases can’t vent properly. Knowing where the pipes are makes it easier to check for blockages after a storm. This is also a good time to check your carbon monoxide detectors and swap out batteries if needed.
Book Your Cody Heating Tune-Up in October
If it’s been a year or more since your system was serviced, call us. Our licensed technicians will check your equipment, explain what they find, and recommend only the work your system needs. This October, we’re offering a $99 Precision Tune-Up, saving you $50.
Schedule a visit with us at Big Horn Heating & Cooling before the deep freeze. Live Rugged. Rest Easy.
