Central Texas is known for fairly mild winters, but we all know that can change quickly! When freezing temperatures do arrive, the last thing you want is to discover your heater isn’t working. A properly operating heating system not only keeps your family comfortable, but also helps protect your home and indoor plumbing during a freeze.
Here are a few simple ways to prepare your home before temperatures drop:
Test your heater early. Don’t wait for the first freezing night to discover a problem. If you have a gas furnace, make sure it is inspected by a licensed HVAC professional to ensure it is operating safely and properly. If your furnace uses propane, check your tank level ahead of time and schedule a refill if needed.
For electric heating systems, a technician can test the heating elements to make sure they are operating correctly. When turning on electric heat for the first time of the season, you may notice a slight burning smell as accumulated dust burns off. This is usually normal and should disappear within a few minutes. If the smell continues, turn the system off and have it professionally inspected.
Change your air filter. A dirty filter restricts airflow, causing your heating system to work harder than necessary and potentially contributing to system problems.
Don’t forget your outdoor unit. If you have a heat pump, your outdoor unit works in the winter too! According to A/C manufacturers, keeping the outdoor unit clean and free of debris helps maintain proper airflow and can help prolong the life of your system. Falling leaves can accumulate around the base and restrict airflow through the outdoor coil. Before winter, remove leaves and debris and trim back shrubs, flowers and other vegetation to provide approximately 2–3 feet of clearance around the unit. (see photo of a recent AirOne Rescue outdoor cleaning in a Buda home)
Submitted photo
Submitted photo
Use your ceiling fans. During winter, set your ceiling fan to rotate clockwise at a low speed. This creates an updraft that helps redistribute warm air that naturally collects near the ceiling.
Know your backup heat. If you have a heat pump, familiarize yourself with the Emergency Heat setting on your thermostat. If your outdoor unit has a problem during freezing weather, Emergency Heat may provide temporary backup heat until a technician can arrive. Keeping a safe, properly rated portable heater available for emergencies can also provide backup comfort.
Most importantly, don’t wait until the first freeze to find out your heater needs attention.
How long has it been since your HVAC system was professionally inspected or maintained? If it’s been more than a year, it may be time for a checkup. AirOne Rescue is offering a $49 Heater Check to help make sure your heating system is operating safely and is ready when those Texas temperatures drop.
AirOne Rescue — Your Home Comfort Lifesaver since 1985.
Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements, and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media LLC (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses, or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability, or timeliness of any content submitted, inclusive of materials generated or composed through artificial intelligence (AI). All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party.
