How to Prepare Your HVAC for an Ice Storm

Follow these safety tips to avoid severe damage to your HVAC system.

When an ice storm is predicted for Central Kentucky, certain things might be at the top of your to-do list. Stock up on groceries. Make work-from-home arrangements. Figure out what show you’ll be binge-watching. But to make sure you stay safe through the storm, you’ll want to add home heating preparation to your list. Keeping your system functioning properly is crucial to avoid losing heat or experiencing costly equipment damage. There are different precautions to take depending on how you’ll be heating your home. Read on for the advice applicable to you.

If you have a heat pump:

Shut it off, and turn the thermostat to emergency heat. This will ensure that no damage will occur to the outdoor unit (heat pump) fan motor and components.

If using a fireplace (gas or wood burning):

We highly recommend having carbon monoxide detectors. Change batteries if applicable. We have low level detectors available that use batteries as their primary source. Open a window about an inch or so to help with fresh air and draft of the fireplace.

If using a generator:

Never operate it indoors, and ensure it is several feet from any doors, windows, or vents as the exhaust could enter the home. Never overload circuits. Contact a licensed electrician for any questions on the wiring requirements. Gas furnaces need 120 volt power to operate and will not work during an outage. Electric water heaters will not work during an outage. Gas water heaters will still work. Also, you’ll want to make sure you protect your home’s plumbing from freezing. Read these tips from our sister company GreenBox Home Services. When an ice storm hits, we want you to stay safe and warm. If you have questions about setting your thermostat to emergency heat or need service, (859) 278-0281 give us a call. We’re here to help.