Are You Ready for a Winter Freeze?

As we saw last winter, Houston has frigid days. The big swings we have in temperature can make your heating and cooling systems work extra hard to keep up. Whether you have gas or electric heat, this part of your system requires maintenance so it can be ready for those cold snaps. Many are rethinking the purchase of a power generator as a back-up plan. But many people are worrying about their HVAC performance.

Workers in the HVAC industry had their hands full with several calls related to complications and concerns about home air conditioning and heating units. When your AC unit freezes over, it is usually low on refrigerant. Vice versa in the winter, your outdoor unit can freeze over because it is low on refrigerant. But that’s not the only reason. There are several other things to look out for to avoid a freeze this winter.

Refrigerant levels: Refrigerant is the lifeline of most HVAC systems. When refrigerant levels are low, heat pumps are more prone to ice. Having your heat pump inspected by an HVAC professional prior to the winter season is a good idea, as any HVAC technician will guarantee that the pump has enough refrigerant.

Protect your pipes: Most North Texans are aware of the importance of insulating outdoor faucets, but if the cold spell lasts, it may be a good idea to leave interior faucets on external walls leaking overnight to prevent them from freezing. If you're going out of town for a few days, the Texas Department of Public Safety suggests keeping cabinet doors open to expose pipes on exterior walls to heat. If you have pipes in your attic or crawlspace, or if you have any other exposed pipes outside, you'll need to insulate them as well. (NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth, 2018)

Don’t block the exhaust: Problem with a blocked exhaust is that carbon monoxide may begin to seep into your home, posing substantial health risks to your family. Most furnaces have safety features in place in the event that the exhaust is clogged, but it's always best to be safe than sorry.

Winterize your home: Heaters and fireplaces will be ineffective if warm air is leaking. Inspect your windows for good sealing and fix any holes with a durable seal. It's also crucial to inspect and replace the weatherstripping around your door frame if it's damaged or broken. Because hot air rises, it's critical that your roof is also well-insulated and covered. (Geoff Ullrich, 2019)

Maintenance: When you can’t identify the problem yourself, you’ll need to call an HVAC technician. You may avoid these frequent problems by scheduling your annual HVAC servicing before winter arrives. Many homes prefer to schedule preventive maintenance in the late fall or early winter, when their air conditioners are beginning to turn over to heat.

Although HVAC specialists are busy between seasons, this is often a good choice. A midwinter checkup isn't necessarily a bad idea, and it might even benefit you. Stay on top of your frozen heat pump this season.

What Texas Comfort Solutions Offers You

Texas Comfort Solutions is focused and committed to giving you honest HVAC services at a fair price. We’re a local veteran and family-owned business dedicated to treating you and your home with care, respect, and integrity. Our team of reliable and experienced technicians has been repairing, maintaining, and installing HVAC systems in the Houston area since 2004.

Whether you’re looking for a system check-up or a completely new system upgrade, we’re here to help you with all your air conditioning and heating needs. To get in touch with us, visit https://www.txcomsol.com/ or call us at (832) 597-4191.

Work Cited

• NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. (2018, November 13). Winter weather tips: How to prepare for freezing temps in North Texas. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. Retrieved October 18, 2021, from https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/winter-weather-tips-how-to-prepare-for-freezing-temps-in-north-texas/226279/.

• Winterizing: How to prepare your property for Texas winters. Default. (n.d.). Retrieved October 18, 2021, from https://germaniainsurance.com/blogs/post/germania-insurance-blog/2019/12/09/winterizing-how-to-prepare-your-property-for-texas-winters.