When frigid weather arrives, you depend on your home’s heating system to keep you warm. However, not all heating systems are created equal. Some can struggle when the weather outside gets too cold. Here is everything you need to know about the performance of furnaces in extremely cold weather.

What to Expect From a Furnace in Extreme Cold

Furnaces are the most popular heating option in American homes. That’s not an accident. Furnaces have a reputation for reliability, low operating costs, and plentiful heat output. Best of all, unlike heat pumps, furnaces put out the same amount of heat in any weather. This means that even on the coldest days, they’ll still perform as expected. However, extreme cold can affect your heat demand, and that’s where things get tricky.

Why Furnaces Work Well in Extreme Cold

Furnaces typically output air that’s between 120 and 140°F. The temperature range depends on the input air temperature. On a frigid day, expect the air from your vents to be closer to 120°F. However, that’s far hotter than your home should need to stay warm. Assuming your home’s insulation is up to par, a furnace will have no problem keeping you and your family warm.

Furnaces also have a reputation for affecting quick indoor temperature changes, so if you come home on a cold day and your indoor air feels a bit chilly, a furnace is ideal. It will bring up your indoor temperature faster than almost any other heating system option.

When Furnaces Struggle in Extreme Cold

There are only a handful of scenarios when a furnace might struggle in extreme cold. One is if your home has an undersized furnace. Adequate heat output requires careful system sizing at the time of installation. If your installer chose the wrong furnace, cold-weather performance could be an issue.

Another thing that can cause poor cold-weather furnace performance is age. As your furnace ages, wear and tear can reduce its heat output. Additionally, your home’s aging HVAC ductwork can develop leaks, wasting heated air. And if your home has a poorly sealed air envelope, its furnace may struggle to overcome heat losses. In that case, your only options are to have your home air sealed or to install an oversized furnace to compensate.

In most cases, a furnace is an ideal heating solution, even in the coldest possible weather. So, if you’re worried about keeping warm during the next extreme winter, consider installing one. When you need furnace services in Bensalem, PA, contact Hughes HVAC.