Essential Winter Storm HVAC Tips and Heating System Troubleshooting Guide
- Arianne Large
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
Winter storms bring freezing temperatures, ice, and strong winds, all of which challenge your home's heating system. When the weather turns harsh, a reliable HVAC system is crucial to maintaining warmth and comfort indoors. Yet, winter storms can strain your heating equipment, increase energy costs, and even cause breakdowns if you are not prepared.
This guide offers practical HVAC tips to help you protect your system and keep your home cozy throughout winter storms. Whether you face a sudden cold snap or a prolonged freeze, these steps will help you avoid common problems, troubleshoot issues, and stay warm.
Use Your Thermostat Wisely
During winter storms, your thermostat controls how your HVAC system responds to dropping temperatures. Setting it correctly can save energy and keep your home comfortable.
Set your thermostat to a consistent temperature and avoid frequent temperature changes that force the system to work harder.
Seal Air Leaks and Improve Home Insulation
Cold air entering your home forces your HVAC system to work overtime. Sealing leaks and improving insulation keeps warm air inside and cold air out. Check for leaks around windows & doors, electrical outlets, attic accesses, and fireplace vents. Use weatherstripping, caulk, or foam sealant to close gaps.
Use Ceiling Fans to Circulate Warm Air
Ceiling fans are not just for cooling. Running them on low speed in reverse (clockwise) pushes warm air trapped near the ceiling down into the living space. This simple step improves heat distribution. It can also reduce heating costs by making rooms feel warmer without raising the thermostat.
Have a Backup Plan Ready
Winter storms often cause power outages that disrupt HVAC systems. Being prepared helps you stay warm and safe. Keep extra blankets and warm clothing accessible. Have backup heating options like a wood stove or propane heater.
Troubleshooting Your Heat
There are a couple of commons causes of heating system failures that can be resolved quickly and without a service call.
DIRTY FILTER - A dirty filter is one of the most common and preventable causes of heating problems. It can restrict airflow, causing your furnace to trip a safety limit switch. The extra strain can also cause issues with your blower motor. Inspect your air filter and replace it immediately if needed.
FROZEN CONDENSATE DRAIN - If you have a high efficiency gas furnace, you should have a PVC pipe leading from the furnace to the exterior of the home. Find the end of that line and look for ice at the opening. If you find evidence that it is blocked by ice, thaw it out with warm water and you've fixed the problem. If you have insulation available, wrap that portion of the PVC.
FROZEN GAS REGULATOR - Is your gas furnace in the crawlspace? Is your home heated by a gas packaged unit (one big piece of equipment outside)? You may have a frozen gas regulator. A frozen gas regulator restricts fuel to the furnace, causing it to shut down due to low pressure. To fix it, gently pour warm water (not boiling) over the regulator, or use a hairdryer. To prevent future freezing, consider a regulator cover.
SOME ICE IS NORMAL - If your system is still heating but you see ice build-up on your outdoor unit, do not be alarmed immediately. A heat pump system (all electric) freezes up during normal operation and goes through a defrost cycle to melt the ice.
