When winter hits Iowa, it doesn’t mess around. Between freezing wind, heavy snow, and the occasional ice storm, your furnace has to work harder than almost anything else in your home. It’s your first line of defense against the cold, and it takes the brunt of every storm.
At Schaal Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, we’ve seen how fast things can go wrong when temperatures drop below zero. A little prep now can save you from an expensive repair later. Here are five practical HVAC tips to help keep your system ready for whatever Iowa’s winter throws your way.
The 5 Essential Winter HVAC Tips
1. Protect the Outdoor Unit
After a storm, take a look outside. If snow or ice has built up around your heat pump or outdoor unit, clear it away as soon as you can. When snow blocks the base or the sides, the system can’t move air the way it should, and it’ll struggle to keep up.
If you have a high-efficiency furnace, check the vent pipes outside too. Snow can clog the intake or exhaust, and your furnace will shut itself off for safety. Keep about a foot and a half of open space around both the unit and the vents. It’s also important to keep exhaust vents clear of snow to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
2. Know What to Do During a Power Outage
Winter storms can knock the power out for a few minutes or a few hours. If that happens, you can either switch your furnace off at the thermostat or flip the breaker off. When power comes back, that first surge can fry sensitive electronics or motors inside the system.
Wait about five minutes after the power returns before turning the furnace or breaker back on. That short pause helps protect the equipment from sudden voltage spikes.
3. Change the Filter Before the Storm
This one’s easy but makes a big difference. A clean air filter keeps airflow strong and your furnace running efficiently. A dirty filter forces the blower to work harder and longer, especially when your system is already running nonstop during cold weather.
Before the first snow hits, put in a new filter. It helps your system heat faster, run smoother, and stay reliable through long cold spells. For best performance, change your filter monthly.
4. Set the Thermostat and Leave It Alone
When it’s below freezing, keep the temperature steady. Turning it down at night and then back up in the morning makes your furnace work extra hard when it’s already fighting the cold. That constant stop-and-start wears on the equipment and doesn’t save much energy in bitter weather.
Pick a comfortable setting and leave it. You’ll get more consistent heat, less strain on the system, and fewer surprises when your energy bill arrives.
5. Check All Vents and Registers
It’s easy to forget how much furniture, rugs, or decorations can block vents. Walk through your home and make sure every supply and return vent is open and clear. When airflow gets blocked, rooms heat unevenly and the blower motor works overtime.
Take a minute to feel each vent and make sure warm air is coming through strong. That simple check helps your furnace breathe easier and heat your home evenly.
When It’s Time to Call for Help
Even with the best maintenance, a furnace can still run into trouble during Iowa’s deep freezes. If you run into any of these issues, it’s best to call for professional help:
- The furnace runs but blows cold air.
- You smell gas or something burning.
- The system makes loud grinding or scraping noises.
- The furnace won’t restart after a power outage.
If anything smells like gas, shut the system off immediately and get out of the house before calling for service. Safety always comes first.
Stay Ahead of Winter with Schaal
Preparing your HVAC system for Iowa’s winter storms isn’t complicated, but it can make a big difference. A few minutes of care now helps your furnace run safely, efficiently, and without surprise breakdowns.
Schaal Electric, Plumbing, Heating & Cooling has helped Central Iowa homeowners stay warm for more than seventy-five years. Our NATE-certified technicians know how to handle Des Moines winters because we’ve lived through plenty of them ourselves.
If you need a pre-winter tune-up, advice about your heat pump, or fast emergency service, we’re here when you need us. Schedule your service today.
We’ll make sure your furnace is ready long before the next storm rolls in.
Whether you require installation, repair, or maintenance, our technicians will assist you with top-quality service at any time of the day or night. Take comfort in knowing your indoor air quality is the best it can be with MOE heating & cooling services Ontario's solution for heating, air conditioning, and ventilation that’s cooler than the rest.
Contact us to schedule a visit. Our qualified team of technicians, are always ready to help you and guide you for heating and cooling issues. Weather you want to replace an old furnace or install a brand new air conditioner, we are here to help you. Our main office is at Kitchener but we can service most of Ontario's cities
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