MONADNOCK REGION, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) It’s been a very cold winter so far, and it’s not letting up any time soon. With extended cold snaps and ongoing snowstorms, heating systems across the region are under constant strain.

By this point in the season, furnaces and boilers have been running hard for months. Systems that made it through early winter without issue often start showing signs of stress now. Small inefficiencies turn into comfort problems. Minor issues become real risks when temperatures stay low and demand never lets up.

February is consistently the month when we see the most heating failures, not because homeowners did anything wrong, but because this is when equipment is pushed to its limits.

Here are the most common heating issues we see this time of year and what homeowners should know before they turn into emergencies.

Systems That Are Running but Not Heating Well

One of the most common calls we get in February sounds like this: the system is running constantly, but the house just will not get warm.

This can be caused by restricted airflow from dirty filters, failing components that can’t keep up under sustained demand, boilers that are short cycling, or heat loss that only becomes obvious during extreme cold.

The key issue isn’t whether the system turns on. It’s whether it can maintain consistent heat without running nonstop.

If your system rarely shuts off, that is not normal operation. Prolonged strain increases wear and raises the risk of a complete breakdown during the coldest part of winter.

New or Unusual Noises

February is when we hear the most reports of new sounds. Banging, whistling, grinding, clicking, or rumbling.

Heating systems do make some noise, but changes in sound matter. They often point to mechanical wear, airflow problems, or components nearing failure.

Ignoring new noises during prolonged cold is risky. A small repair now can prevent a no heat situation during a storm or overnight cold snap.

Boiler Pressure Issues and Frequent Resetting

For homeowners with boilers, pressure related problems often appear late in the season.

If you find yourself resetting the system repeatedly, watching pressure drop, or noticing uneven heat between rooms, those are signs that should not be ignored.

Boilers are durable systems, but extended cold exposes weaknesses in expansion tanks, valves, and controls. These issues rarely resolve on their own and tend to worsen with continued use.

Older Systems Hanging On by a Thread

Many homeowners start the winter hoping their system will make it through one more season. By February, the margin for error is gone.

If your furnace or boiler is more than fifteen years old and showing signs of struggle, this is the point where honest guidance matters.

At Keating Plumbing & Heating, we walk homeowners through three questions:
What can be repaired.
What should be replaced.
What actually makes sense for your home and budget.

Sometimes the right answer is a repair. Sometimes it’s planning a replacement before an emergency forces a rushed decision. February is still early enough to be proactive.

A Smarter February Mindset

The biggest mistake homeowners make in February is waiting because the system is still running.

If something feels off, it usually is.

A service call before a breakdown is almost always less stressful and less expensive than an emergency repair during a cold snap or snowstorm. Even if the outcome is simply peace of mind, that matters when winter still has weeks to go.

Final Thought

Heating systems don’t fail on a schedule. But February is when small issues stop being small.

If your furnace or boiler is acting differently, struggling to keep up, or making you uneasy, it is worth having a professional take a look.

Clear information leads to better decisions. That is how Keating approaches every call.