Lubbock weather is notoriously unpredictable. One moment you’re basking in a sunny, dry Texas day, and the next, a blue norther rolls in, plunging temperatures below freezing. When the mercury drops, your HVAC system becomes your home’s most critical defense against the cold—and potential damage.
At Extreme Heat and Air, we know exactly what it takes to keep your system safe and your family warm on the South Plains. Here are the crucial HVAC and home preparation steps you must take before a hard freeze hits.
1. Get a Professional Furnace Checkup (The Ultimate Defense)
The single most effective way to prevent a catastrophic breakdown during a freeze is through preventative maintenance. Your furnace or heat pump is about to be pushed to its limits; ensure it’s ready.
- Schedule a Winter Tune-Up: A certified technician will inspect the heat exchanger, check gas pressure, test electrical connections, and verify that safety controls are fully operational. This prevents carbon monoxide leaks and ensures maximum efficiency when you need it most.
- Change the Air Filter: A dirty, clogged filter restricts airflow, forcing your furnace to work harder and increasing the risk of overheating and failure. In dusty Lubbock, we recommend checking and changing your filter monthly during peak seasons.
2. Protect Your Outdoor Unit and Lines
The outdoor unit (the condenser for an AC or the compressor for a heat pump) is exposed to the elements and is vulnerable to ice damage.
- Clear the Area: Make sure your outdoor unit is completely free of leaves, dirt, or debris. Blocked airflow reduces efficiency and can cause a heat pump to freeze up when running in heating mode.
- Insulate Exposed Refrigerant/Water Lines: Look for any copper or PVC lines that run from your house to the unit, especially those exposed near the foundation. Apply foam pipe insulation sleeves (available at any hardware store) to these lines to prevent freeze-related damage.
- The Heat Pump Defrost Cycle: If you have a heat pump, it will develop a layer of frost during cold temperatures. This is normal. The system is designed to go into a defrost cycle to melt the ice. Do not turn off your heat pump or cover it during a freeze, as this interferes with its normal operation.
3. Manage Your Thermostat for Safety
Consistent, steady heat is your ally against frozen pipes.
- Maintain a Minimum Temperature: During a freeze, especially if you leave town, set your thermostat to no lower than 60–65 degrees. This maintains a base level of heat within your walls to prevent pipes in unheated areas (like garages or crawl spaces) from dropping below 32°F.
- Check for Carbon Monoxide (CO) Safety: Furnaces run on gas, and a cracked heat exchanger can lead to dangerous CO leaks. Always test your CO alarms to ensure they are working. Never use gas ovens, grills, or unvented propane heaters to warm your home.
4. Don’t Forget the Pipes Near Your HVAC
While we focus on the HVAC system, its location often puts it near vulnerable plumbing.
- Outdoor Faucets: Disconnect and drain all garden hoses. Cover outdoor spigots (hose bibs) with insulated foam covers.
- Pipes Inside Walls/Cabinets: Open cabinet doors under sinks (especially those on exterior walls) to allow warm air from the room to circulate around the pipes.
- Let Faucets Drip: Allow a slow, steady drip from a cold water faucet (or both hot and cold) to relieve pressure and keep water moving, making it less likely to freeze and burst.
Stay Warm and Protected This Winter
Don’t wait until the first hard freeze to discover a heating failure or a burst pipe. Taking these preventative steps now will save you a headache—and a huge repair bill—later.
Need a Pre-Winter Furnace Inspection?
Contact the experts at Extreme Heat and Air today to schedule your preventative maintenance tune-up and ensure your system is ready for whatever Lubbock winter throws at us.
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