HVAC
Residential furnace installed in a home

Michigan is among the top ten coldest states in America. Temperatures dipping below 10 degrees Fahrenheit is not uncommon. You need a robust furnace that will operate without any issues, throughout the harshest stretches of winter. Achieving that level of performance requires preparing your system before the cold sets in and supporting it throughout the season, so it can handle whatever the weather brings. In this blog, our team at Service Professor covers how to do that.

Why Furnaces May Struggle During Extreme Cold

A furnace is designed to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures in all kinds of winter. However, furnaces can struggle a bit in Michigan for the following reasons:

Heat Loss Happens Faster

Michigan’s winter temperatures consistently hover below the freezing point. The challenge with this kind of cold is simple: the lower the outdoor temperature drops, the faster the heat inside your home tries to escape. Heat naturally moves from warm areas to colder ones to reach equilibrium, and the greater the temperature difference, the stronger that heat‑loss force becomes.

As a result, any weaknesses in your home’s insulation, air sealing, windows, or doors are magnified. Drafts feel stronger, cold spots become more noticeable, and your furnace must run longer and harder to replace the heat your home is losing.

Your Furnace Has a Maximum Heating Capacity

Every furnace is built with a specific BTU output, which is its maximum ability to add heat to your home. During normal winter weather, that capacity is more than enough. However, when temperatures plunge far below design conditions, even a properly sized furnace can reach its limit.

When that happens, you may notice indoor temperatures that plateau a few degrees below the thermostat setting or longer run times. This does not necessarily mean the system is failing, but it does indicate that it’s working at full capacity. The risk of breakdowns often increases during these periods because the equipment is under continuous stress. Any underlying issues that were manageable in milder weather can quickly become more serious.

Your Furnace Is Working Hard, Not Failing

It’s important to remember that some symptoms are completely normal during severe cold snaps in Michigan. For instance, your furnace may run longer than usual, or your home may remain comfortable but fall a few degrees short of the thermostat setting.

What matters most is whether the furnace is still producing steady, consistent heat and whether the indoor temperature remains stable. If the system is running smoothly, even if it seems to be working overtime, it’s likely responding exactly as it should under the circumstances.

Preparing Your Furnace For Michigan’s Winter

Helping your furnace handle Michigan’s coldest weeks begins with system preparation. These include:

Cleaning Dust & Lint Around the Furnace

Dust and lint buildup around the furnace can reduce efficiency and overall performance. These materials can partially block return airflow, insulate components that need open space for proper heat dissipation, and increase the risk of overheating. Keeping the area around the furnace clean ensures the system can breathe freely and operate as intended.

Also, remember to check the surrounding space for stored items that may restrict airflow. A furnace requires adequate clearance to pull in air, vent heat, and run safely. Clearing clutter and vacuuming the area before winter helps the system start the season in optimal condition.

Changing Filters

A new season calls for a fresh filter. It’s essential to make sure your furnace isn’t fighting against unnecessary restrictions during Michigan’s winter. As mentioned earlier, extreme cold often forces furnaces to operate at full capacity, and something as simple as a partially clogged filter can place enough strain on the system to cause a complete shutdown.

A clean filter allows proper airflow through the furnace. Proper airflow helps the blower move heat efficiently and prevents the system from running hotter than it should. Therefore, replace the filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions and keep a few extras on hand so you can swap them out quickly if they begin to clog during peak heating demand.

Look Out for Deterioration

Do a visual inspection of your furnace. Look for signs of rust, damage, or any components that appear out of place. These issues can indicate moisture problems, aging parts, or stress from previous heating seasons.

Pay close attention to the ductwork as well. Loose connections, gaps, or deteriorated seams can allow heated air to escape before it reaches your living spaces, forcing the furnace to run longer to compensate.

If you notice any malformation, call a licensed technician for furnace repairs. Don’t run a furnace that shows visible issues. You’ll not only risk your safety but also worsen the underlying problem by allowing the system to operate under stress.

Doing a Test Run

If there is no visible damage to your furnace, perform a test run before the winter season begins. Pay attention to abnormal noises or unusual smells, cycling times, and airflow inconsistencies.

If the furnace produces unusual sounds or vibrations, expels stale or smoky air, creates uneven temperatures between rooms, or takes too long to warm your space, it has an underlying issue. Turn the furnace off and call a professional technician immediately for inspection.

Calling for Professional Maintenance

Call an experienced technician to inspect and tune up your furnace for Michigan’s winter. You want the technician to clean and examine the system for faults and to replace any part that appears worn, weakened, or close to failure. A trained professional can detect issues that aren’t obvious to an untrained eye, such as declining blower performance, ignition problems, or early signs of heat‑exchanger stress.

A full furnace tune‑up ensures the furnace is operating safely and efficiently before it faces the season’s heaviest workload. It also helps preserve the lifespan of the system, reduces the risk of mid‑winter breakdowns, and keeps your heating costs under control when the furnace is running for long stretches.

Supporting Your Furnace Through the Coldest Weeks

Preparation is only half the work. Supporting your furnace throughout Michigan’s coldest weeks is just as important, because even a well‑maintained system can struggle when temperatures stay below freezing for days at a time. The goal is to reduce the workload on the furnace as much as possible to maintain steady heat.

One of the most effective ways to support your furnace is to manage heat loss inside your home. Close curtains at night to reduce heat loss from windows. Better yet, if you can switch to thermal curtains, you’ll add an extra layer of insulation around your windows.

Speaking of insulation, ensure your home’s existing insulation is performing as it should. Attics, basements, and crawl spaces are common weak points where heat escapes rapidly during extreme cold. Hire a professional to inspect and replace insulation if necessary.

More importantly, stay vigilant for any unusual sounds, reductions in heating performance, declining filter quality, or changes in how your furnace cycles. These small warning signs often appear before a system failure. Address them immediately before they create a problem.

Contact Service Professor For Furnace Services

Our mission at Service Professor is to provide unparalleled customer care and top-quality heating services. All our technicians are licensed, have undergone background checks, and are committed to providing reliable results. We have over 40 years of experience in providing exceptional furnace service. You can trust that we’ll make your furnace more than ready for the cold winter months.

Call Service Professor for furnace maintenance and repair services in Greenville.

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