Homeowners in Kansas City are getting ready for the cold weather ahead, but how will you know if your home is experiencing an actual problem that will require an expert or a fluke that will work itself out as the temperatures rise? Here are 3 things that a homeowner can expect to experience that is likely temporary.
- Your thermostat could be 5-10 degrees less than what it’s set to. During extreme temperatures, your system has to work harder to keep up with your thermostat. Sometimes, it just can’t. It is best to reduce your thermostat setting during these times to 5 degrees less, or more. Having a system that runs constantly puts a lot of strain on the system and could result in unnecessary repair for a homeowner. If you normally turn your thermostat down while you’re at work, don’t. It may never catch back up and will put a lot of strain on your system.
- Your water may not be as warm as you like. Similar to your HVAC system, your water heater may have to work harder to keep up with demand. Homeowners can insulate your pipes to help with this.
- Your lights may flicker. During extreme temperatures, homes in your area are drawing more electricity than normal. If your lights are flickering, it could be a sign that you are experiencing a power brownout. Power brownouts are intentional or unintentional drops in voltage. Sometimes, in emergency situations, power companies will do an intentional brown out to try and meet the extra demand. Turn off any unnecessary lights and unplug anything not in use. If you don’t have a whole home surge protector, be sure to unplug any valuable electronics in case you experience total power loss.
There are some things however, that[coupon couponid=”4147″ coupon_align=”cctor_aligncenter” name=”Home Generators”] cannot wait until temperatures return back to normal. If you experience any of these, please give us a call right away.
- Complete loss of heat.
- Complete loss of power even after your neighborhood’s power is restored.
- Frozen pipes
Before you lock yourself in this week, be sure to check that your air filter is clean in your HVAC, that there is no ice or snow blocking your air intake on the outside of your home (usually close to where the AC is), and that your electrical connections to the city are in good working order. Familiarize yourself with where your main water shutoff is located, and be prepared to run your faucets at a drip to avoid frozen pipes. If you lose power easily, consider a whole house generator and stock up on the essentials. Our team is standing by and is ready to help, should you need us. You can call or message us at any time. 913-888-4262.
Stay warm, stay safe.