If you live in the Pikes Peak area, you know that living in the mountains is quite different from living down in the valley. Colorado homeowners are faced with heating challenges that just aren’t the same for everyone, from extreme weather changes to unique home construction. This holds especially true when it comes to furnace maintenance.
At Hardcastle Home Services We repair furnaces in Woodland Park, Colorado Springs, and surrounding areas and understand the needs of mountain homes vs the valley. Here’s what every homeowner should know.
Altitude Affects Furnace Efficiency
The air is thinner at higher altitudes. That’s less oxygen available for combustion, so a gas furnace runs less efficiently in those conditions.
- Mountain Homes: Homes in the mountains usually need adjustments, or high-altitude specific models to ensure safety and proper combustion.
- Valley Homes: Houses in the valley don’t have the same issues with oxygen, so regular models usually work just fine without any changes.
Learn more about our heating services for Colorado homes.
Temperature Swings Are More Extreme in the Mountains
Colorado mountain weather is crazy. One minute it’s sunny, the next you’re in a snowstorm. That’s why furnaces in mountain homes cycle more frequently.
- Mountain homes require more frequent inspections to monitor the wear and tear on components such as igniters, blowers, and thermostats.
- Valley homes undergo much easier temperature swings, so stress on the equipment is generally not that intense.
Regular furnace maintenance helps protect your system against these shifts.
Insulation and Venting Challenges
As a large number of mountain cabins and older homes were erected without the modern standards of insulation, this includes drafts, steep roof lines, and exposed ductwork in the house, which all contribute to poor heating performance.
- Mountain homes, in general, require more regular vent and duct inspections to prevent heat loss.
- Valley homes have tighter, newer construction that reduces energy waste. However, this does not mean that they do not require cleaning and sealing the ducts to stay as efficient as possible.
Our team can also help improve indoor air quality while boosting system efficiency.\
Snow, Ice, and Outdoor Unit Risks
In homes where high-efficiency furnaces are used and they vent outside, snow, and ice buildup can easily block exhaust pipes creating several safety hazards.
- Mountain homes need that little bit of extra attention to keep outdoor vents clear and in safe operation during heavy snowfalls.
- Valley homes still get snow, but the accumulation is not as intense or as frequent.
If your furnace suddenly stops working, our emergency services can help get things back on track.
Why Professional Maintenance Matters
Whether you live in Woodland Park or Colorado Springs, regular furnace maintenance is the key to keeping your home comfortable and safe. But in the mountains, the stakes are higher, literally. From elevation adjustments to snow dangers, mountain furnaces just have different needs
At Hardcastle Home Services, we understand that mountain homes have different needs than valley homes. Our veteran and female-owned licensed team is here to keep your furnace running safely and efficiently all season.
Book your furnace maintenance with Hardcastle Home Services today to stay comfortable wherever you are in the Rockies.
