A year of heating and cooling care
Coeur d'Alene's systems do most of their work in the heating season. NOAA's engineering weather station in Coeur d'Alene puts the 99% winter design temperature at 9°F and the 1% summer design temperature at 88°F. A few checks each season keep the heat reliable through winter and the cooling ready for the hot, dry afternoons of July and August.
Fall: September to November
Get the heat ready before the first hard frost.
- Replace the air filter, and note the date.
- Book a heating check. For a gas furnace, that should cover the burners, the flame sensor, the heat exchanger, the venting and a carbon monoxide test.
- Test carbon monoxide and smoke alarms, and replace their batteries.
- Run the heat on a cool day. A short dusty smell is normal at first; a burning or electrical smell isn't.
- For a heat pump, make sure the outdoor unit sits level, on a stand or pad that keeps it above the snow line.
Winter: December to February
The Coeur d'Alene station records about 44 freeze-thaw cycles in an average year, and the coldest nights reach the design temperature of 9°F.
- Keep snow and ice clear of the outdoor unit and of any furnace intake and exhaust pipes on the side of the house. A blocked exhaust can shut a furnace down.
- A heat pump will run defrost cycles; steam rising from the unit is normal, a unit encased in ice isn't.
- If backup heat seems to run all the time, have a technician look at the heat pump.
- Avoid big thermostat setbacks on the coldest nights if your heat pump relies on backup heat to recover.
- Change or check the filter monthly while the system runs constantly.
Spring: March to May
- Change the filter again.
- Clear leaves, needles and winter debris from around the outdoor unit; keep plants at least two feet away.
- Turn on cooling on a warm day to make sure it starts and the air from the vents feels cool.
- Book a cooling check if the system hasn't had one in a year.
Summer: June to August
The Coeur d'Alene station counts about 27 hours a year at 93°F or hotter, no hours with the wet-bulb above 73°F and only about 28 above 67°F. Hot afternoons, dry air and cool nights are the pattern.
- On cool evenings, turn the system off and open windows to flush heat out of the house.
- Keep blinds closed on sunny west-facing windows in the afternoon.
- Gently hose off the outdoor coil with the power off if it's dusty.
- When the outdoor air is smoky or dusty, check the filter more often.
Water and humidifiers
The City of Coeur d'Alene's water comes from the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, 150 to 280 feet below the surface, pumped from 11 wells in the city with minimal treatment. If your furnace has a whole-house humidifier for dry winter air, clean or replace its water panel each fall, and check the drain line and water valve for leaks.
Who to call for repairs
Since July 1, 2004, Idaho law has made it unlawful to engage in the business or work of heating, ventilation and air conditioning unless the person, or the person responsible for the firm, has passed an examination and holds a state certificate of competency. Look the company up on DOPL's license search before you book.
Keep a record
Write down filter changes, service visits, repairs and the model and serial numbers of your equipment. The next technician and any warranty claim will need them.