Arctic Outflow and Your Heating System
For two or three weeks most winters, cold, dry arctic air pours down the Fraser Valley. It's the toughest test of the year for heating systems in Chilliwack.
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Temperatures drop and strong winds make houses lose heat faster through walls, windows and gaps.
Heat pumps
Heat pumps keep working but deliver less heat as it gets colder. Backup heat helps keep up.
Defrost
More frequent defrost cycles and steam from the outdoor unit are normal in cold, damp spells.
Furnaces and boilers
These handle cold well but run much longer. A fall service makes a mid-winter breakdown less likely.
Drafts
Weatherstripping doors and windows makes a noticeable difference during outflow winds.
Outdoor units
Keep snow and ice clear around heat pumps and check they sit high enough above drifts.
Pipes
In unheated spaces, pipes can freeze. Keep some heat in garages and crawl spaces that hold plumbing.
Vents
Snow and ice can block high-efficiency furnace vents on outside walls. Check them during storms.
Fuel
Propane and oil homes should check tank levels before a cold snap.
Next
See furnace service.
Thermostat
Avoid big setbacks during outflow. A steady setting keeps a heat pump from leaning on backup heat.
Plan ahead
A fall tune-up is the best protection against a breakdown in the coldest week of the year.
Backup heat costs
When backup heat runs for days during outflow, power bills rise. Sealing drafts and keeping a steady setting limits how often it comes on.
Ice under the unit
Water from defrost can freeze under a heat pump if it can't drain. A stand that lifts the unit and a clear path for meltwater prevent ice build-up.
More heating and cooling guides
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