- Start the season with a fresh air filter. It is the easiest thing you can do for your system.
- Turn the heat on before you need it, so a problem shows up on a mild day.
- A heat pump that steams or pauses on a cold morning is usually just defrosting.
In much of Hampton Roads, the same system that cools your house in July heats it in January. Heat pumps are a good fit for our mild winters, and many homes here have one, sometimes with a gas furnace as backup. They work a little differently from a furnace, and knowing what is normal saves a lot of worry on the first cold morning.
This tip goes with the home item Change or clean the air filter, which you can add to your free maintenance schedule for a reminder every few months.
FiltersStart with a fresh filter
A clogged filter makes the whole system work harder. It cuts airflow, which can make a heat pump run longer, leave rooms uneven, and blow dust around the house.
- Find it. It is usually behind a return grille in a hall or ceiling, or in a slot beside the indoor unit.
- Match the size. It is printed on the edge of the old filter, for example 16x25x1.
- Point the arrow the right way. The arrow on the frame points toward the unit, the way the air flows.
- Write the date on it. Then you know when you changed it last.
Homes with pets, allergies or lots of pollen days may want to change it more often. Spring pollen here is famous for a reason.
Test runTurn the heat on before you need it
Switch the thermostat to heat on a cool, mild day and raise it a few degrees. Warm air should come from the vents after a short while. A burning smell the first time is common, from dust on the heating parts, and it should fade.
Doing this early means a problem shows up while you have time to book a visit, not on the first freezing night when every heating company is busy. If it doesn’t heat, check the thermostat batteries and the breaker first, then compare heating and cooling pros who serve your area.
The first cold night is the busiest night of the year for heating pros. Test yours on a mild one.
Heat pumpsWhat’s normal outside
On cold, damp mornings, frost forms on the outdoor unit’s coil. Every so often the heat pump runs a defrost cycle to melt it. While it does:
- the outdoor fan may stop
- you may see steam rising from the unit, and hear a whoosh or click when it switches
- the air from the vents may feel cooler for a bit
All of that is normal. What isn’t normal is ice that covers the whole unit and stays, a unit that won’t shut off, or a house that won’t warm up. Those are worth a call.
Keep the outdoor unit clear too: no leaves piled against it, shrubs trimmed back, and nothing covering the top. If you rake near it, see Leaves on the lawn.
AirflowClear the vents and returns
Walk the house and look at every supply vent and return grille. Rugs, couches, beds and curtains often end up over them. Blocked vents make some rooms cold and make the system run longer. Closing vents in unused rooms usually doesn’t save money with a heat pump, and it can make it work harder, so keep them open.
If the ducts run through a crawl space or attic, a quick look for loose or crushed sections is worth it. Leaky ducts heat the crawl space instead of your living room.
SafetyTest your alarms
Heating season is the right time to test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Press the test button on each one. Homes with a gas furnace, gas water heater, gas fireplace or an attached garage should have carbon monoxide alarms near the bedrooms.
Keep space heaters away from curtains and bedding, plug them straight into the wall, and turn them off when you leave the room.
Common questionsHeating questions
Why is my heat pump blowing cool air?
During a defrost cycle, the air can feel cooler for a short while. A heat pump’s air also feels less hot than a furnace’s even when it is working, because it heats steadily at a lower temperature. If the house won’t reach the temperature you set, check the filter and the outdoor unit, then call a pro.
Is it normal for my heat pump to steam in winter?
Yes. Steam on a cold, damp morning usually means the unit is melting frost off its coil. It should stop on its own.
What is the difference between aux heat and emergency heat?
Aux heat comes on by itself to help on very cold mornings and during defrost. Emergency heat is a setting you turn on, and it runs only the backup heater. Use it only if the heat pump isn’t working, because it costs more to run.
How often should I change my air filter?
Many homes change a basic filter every few months. Homes with pets, allergies or lots of dust may need it more often. Check it monthly in heavy-use seasons and change it when it looks gray.
Should I close vents in rooms I don’t use?
Usually not. With a heat pump, closing vents can raise pressure in the ducts and make the system work harder. Keep them open and clear.
When should I get my heat pump serviced?
Many homeowners book a tune-up in fall for heat and in spring for cooling. Booking before the first cold snap gets you on the calendar before the rush.
With a fresh filter and a test run, you are ready for the cold. While you’re at it, get your outdoor faucets ready for the first freeze.
