Winter HVAC Tips: Maintenance, Troubleshooting, and Cold Weather Protection

Published on December 11, 2025 by: alhhvac

Keep Your Atlanta Home Warm This Winter

There’s nothing more important than keeping your Atlanta home warm and comfortable during the cold winter months. Your HVAC system can provide consistent heat no matter how low temperatures go, but cold weather can put a lot of stress on your equipment. Without the right maintenance, you could find yourself dealing with a furnace blowing cold air, a frozen heat pump, or high energy bills. Thankfully, these issues can be prevented with some simple maintenance and a few smart habits.

In this guide, Atlanta’s trusted HVAC experts at Andy Lewis / Hobson provide essential winter HVAC tips for maintenance, troubleshooting, and cold weather protection. We’ll explain how your HVAC system keeps you warm, list the most important winter care tips, outline common problems to watch for, and detail how ALH can help.

How HVAC Systems Keep You Warm

Your HVAC system is your defense against freezing temperatures. Depending on your setup, you may have a furnace or a heat pump. Here’s the difference between the two types:

Furnaces heat air by burning natural gas or using electricity, then push it through your ductwork.
Heat pumps transfer heat from outside air into your home, even in chilly weather.

Usually, these systems work well and without causing any disruptions. However, dirty filters, leaky ducts, or worn-out parts can increase strain on your system. Over time, this can cause uneven heating, increased energy bills, decreased energy efficiency, or even a complete system failure.

Key HVAC Maintenance Tips for Winter

Preventing HVAC problems during the winter is as simple as following a few key maintenance tips. Here are several habits to follow:

Filter Changes

Air filters catch dust, dirt, and allergens, but once they’re clogged, your system can’t run as efficiently as it should. This extra strain will cause wear and tear, damaging your system and increasing your heating bill. If left unaddressed for too long, clogged filters can even cause total system failure.

Thankfully, this is an easy fix. Simply swap your filters out every 1 to 3 months during the winter, as well as during the rest of the year. If you’re a pet owner, have allergies, or notice dust issues elsewhere in your home, it’s best to replace them even more frequently.

General Tune-Ups

A seasonal tune-up is like a wellness check for your HVAC system. A technician will clean components, tighten connections, lubricate moving parts, and test safety controls. They’ll also spot small problems before they snowball into big repairs.

Ductwork Inspection

Leaky or blocked ducts let warm air escape, which means you’re paying for heat you never feel. A professional inspection checks for cracks, clogs, or missing insulation. Sealing leaks can improve efficiency by as much as 20%, leading to significant energy savings and improved quality of life.

Vent Clearings

This one’s easy but often overlooked. If vents are blocked by furniture, rugs, or even dust, your system can’t circulate air properly. That leaves some rooms cold while others overheat. Try walking through your home and make sure every vent has space to breathe.

Thermostat Settings

Your thermostat is the brain of your system. With a programmable or smart thermostat, you can fine-tune heating schedules, lowering the temperature while you’re asleep or away, then warming things up before you wake up or get home. Even dropping the temperature a few degrees for part of the day can save you big on heating costs.

Outdoor Unit Protection

If you use a heat pump, don’t forget about the outdoor unit. Snow, ice, or yard debris can block airflow and cause freezing. Keep the area around the unit clear, and check it after storms. If it’s icing up regularly, it may be a problem with the defrost cycle.

Insulation and Weatherproofing

The best HVAC system in the world can’t keep you warm if your house is leaking heat. Adding attic insulation, sealing gaps around windows and doors, and using weather stripping all help hold warm air inside. These fixes take pressure off your HVAC system and improve your home’s indoor air quality.

Common Winter HVAC Issues

Even with good maintenance, winter can bring challenges. Here are some common issues:

HVAC blowing cold air in winter: Often a sign of a dirty filter, thermostat problem, or ignition issue.
HVAC freezing up in winter: Outdoor heat pumps can freeze if airflow is blocked or if the defrost cycle isn’t kicking in.
Uneven heating: Usually linked to leaky ducts, blocked vents, or insulation gaps.
Strange noises: Rattling, banging, or squealing often means loose parts, worn belts, or motor issues.

Some fixes are easy, like replacing a filter or unblocking vents. However, if problems persist, or there’s a more serious issue, it’s best to reach out to the professionals.

How ALH Helps with HVAC Maintenance and Troubleshooting

At Andy Lewis / Hobson Heating & Air, we know how tough Georgia winters can be on heating systems. That’s why we’ve been helping Atlanta homeowners for over 50 years with everything from seasonal tune-ups to emergency repairs.

Our NATE-certified technicians check all the details that keep your system safe and efficient, from ductwork and thermostats to burners and heat exchangers. If your furnace is blowing cold air, your heat pump keeps freezing, or your system just isn’t keeping up, we’ll get to the bottom of it quickly.

We don’t just fix problems, either. We help you prevent them. With regular maintenance, smart thermostat upgrades, and indoor air quality improvements, we’ll make sure your home stays warm and comfortable all season long.

Stay Warm This Winter with Andy Lewis / Hobson

Cold weather shouldn’t catch you off guard. With the right maintenance and care, your HVAC system can handle whatever winter throws at it.

Andy Lewis / Hobson Heating & Air has been keeping Atlanta homes comfortable for more than five decades. Whether you need a winter tune-up, fast repairs, or expert advice, our team is here to help.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to defrost HVAC unit in winter?

Turn the system off and let the ice melt naturally. Clear snow and debris around the unit. If freezing continues, a technician may need to check the defrost cycle.