{"id":818,"date":"2026-11-02T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-02T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bennerandco.com\/blog\/?p=818"},"modified":"2026-10-28T12:23:03","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T16:23:03","slug":"how-to-prepare-your-hvac-system-for-indianas-first-hard-freeze","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bennerandco.com\/blog\/heating-service\/how-to-prepare-your-hvac-system-for-indianas-first-hard-freeze\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prepare Your HVAC System for Indiana’s First Hard Freeze"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Indiana\u2019s first hard freeze can arrive quickly, putting extra demands on your home\u2019s heating system just when you need it most. Scheduling heating maintenance in Vincennes, IN<\/a> before temperatures plunge helps prepare your equipment for colder weather, identify developing problems, and support efficient operation throughout winter. Our HVAC experts can inspect your system, address potential concerns, and help you prepare your home for freezing temperatures before the seasonal rush begins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Shut Down Your Air Conditioning System<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once consistently cold weather arrives, shift your focus from cooling to heating. Turn off your air conditioner using the thermostat\u2019s cooling setting and switch to heat or auto as appropriate for your system. If you have a heat pump<\/a>, however, do not shut it down for winter. Heat pumps provide both heating and cooling, so they must remain available to keep your home warm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a traditional outdoor AC condenser, remove leaves and other loose debris from around the unit. If needed, gently rinse away surface dirt, and keep nearby plants, branches, and stored items clear. Avoid bending delicate fins or using high-pressure water. Never cover a heat pump while it is operating, and follow manufacturer guidance for protecting a conventional AC unit during winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check Your Thermostat Settings<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before the first hard freeze, confirm your thermostat works properly and is set to heating mode. Replace weak batteries if necessary, and choose a reasonable temperature that keeps your household comfortable without unnecessarily increasing energy use. Programmable and smart thermostats can help maintain a consistent schedule, reducing the temptation to make frequent, drastic adjustments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you plan to leave home during freezing weather, avoid turning the heat completely off. Keeping the indoor temperature at least 55 degrees helps reduce the risk of frozen plumbing. Homes with vulnerable pipes, drafts, or poorly insulated areas may need additional precautions during extended cold spells.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Protect Exposed Components and Pipes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Walk around your property and look for exposed pipes near exterior walls, crawl spaces, garages, and other unheated areas. Insulate vulnerable plumbing and seal drafts around openings where cold air enters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also check the outdoor area around your heating equipment. Keep snow, ice, leaves, and other obstructions away from heat pump airflow openings. Never chip ice off delicate equipment components or try to repair it yourself. Contact a professional if you notice significant ice buildup or unusual operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep Vents Open and Airflow Clear<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Inside your home, keep supply vents and return grilles open and unobstructed. Move furniture, rugs, curtains, and storage items away from these openings so heated air can circulate properly. Check your furnace filter and replace it if it is dirty. A clogged filter restricts airflow and can contribute to overheating or reduced heating performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get Ready Before Temperatures Drop<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Do not wait until the first freezing night to discover your heater needs attention. Schedule maintenance with our HVAC experts now so we can inspect your equipment, check key components, and identify concerns before winter sets in. A little preparation today can help you enjoy a warmer, more dependable home all season long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Schedule an appointment with Benner Heating & Air<\/a> for heating maintenance in Vincennes, IN. It\u2019s Better with Benner.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Our team of HVAC experts is ready to inspect your system, address potential concerns, and help you prepare your home for freezing temperatures before the seasonal rush begins.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[76],"tags":[153,96],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bennerandco.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/818"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bennerandco.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bennerandco.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bennerandco.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bennerandco.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=818"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.bennerandco.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/818\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":821,"href":"https:\/\/www.bennerandco.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/818\/revisions\/821"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bennerandco.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=818"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bennerandco.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=818"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bennerandco.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=818"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}