The Impact of Snow & Ice on Your Home Heating and Cooling System

HomeSense Team

January 24, 2018

Winter HVAC TIPS: Impact of Snow and Ice on Heating and Cooling System

We’ve already covered how to prepare your home for cold temperatures, but do you know the potential impact snow and ice can have on your HVAC system? Here are some winter HVAC tips to help protect your system.

How Winter Conditions Affect Your HVAC Unit

There are several ways that snow and ice can damage your home heating and cooling system:

Snow and Ice Build Up: When snow and ice surround your unit, it can cause the system to shut down. This could leave your home without heat.

Blocking the Exhaust: Heavy snow can block your furnace exhaust, which may prevent your unit from working. Most furnaces have a safety switch that will shut down the unit if the exhaust becomes blocked.

Damage to Your Outdoor Unit: Icicles that form above your outdoor HVAC unit could potentially fall and damage the system.

Ventilation Blockage: Heavy snow and ice can block ventilation, preventing your system from working properly.

Corrosion and Rust: Melting snow that enters your system can refreeze and expand, potentially leading to corrosion and rust.

Protecting Your HVAC System

Winter conditions make your HVAC unit work harder. Limited airflow can reduce efficiency and potentially cause problems. Here are our top tips for protecting your HVAC system this season and prolonging its lifespan:

Heat Pump Installation: If your home uses the outdoor system in the winter, you have a heat pump. The unit should be installed 6-10 inches above ground level to avoid snow accumulation. This is typically done with plastic legs (called risers or pump pads). Additionally, the unit should be 18 inches (or more) away from the outside wall, in order to increase air passage and avoid drifting exposure.

Cover Your A/C Unit: If your outdoor system doesn’t run during the winter, you have a standard air conditioner. Covering your unit will protect it, as long as you allow enough room for air to circulate near the unit. Consider building a small roof or freestanding structure around your unit to shelter it from the elements. You can also use shrubs or fencing to build a wind barrier, but allow enough room for servicing the unit.

Tip: Insulate exposed water pipes during extremely cold temperatures.

Clear Away Debris: Shovel away snow as it accumulates. Clean and inspect your gutters to make sure they aren’t dripping onto your unit. Use warm water to melt ice from your unit if needed.

Check Your Filters Regularly: A clogged filter restricts airflow and reduces heating efficiency. Change your filter regularly, and check it more frequently if you notice airflow issues.

Schedule Regular Maintenance: Regular maintenance can help prevent problems during winter.

Keep in mind that HVAC systems are designed to handle typical cold weather, not extreme conditions. During unusually cold temperatures, your system may not maintain your usual indoor temperature.

If you experience issues or have questions about your HVAC unit, give us a call at 317-203-8149.

Posted in: Heating, HVAC Indianapolis

Posted in: Cooling, Heating, Home Care Tips

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