As the weather cools and winter settles in around Hickory, NC, now’s the ideal time to make sure your home’s heating system and overall winter-readiness are in order. A few proactive steps now can keep your home comfy, energy bills down, and help prevent common winter headaches — especially when temperatures dip below freezing. Why December Matters for Home Heating In our region, winters can be unpredictable. One day may be mild, the next chilly and damp. That means your furnace or heat pump may move from occasional use to daily heating duty quickly. If your HVAC system hasn’t been tuned up recently, that sudden demand can reveal hidden issues — drafts, blocked airflow, inefficient heating, or even plumbing risks like frozen pipes. Getting ahead of the cold ensures a safer, more efficient, and more comfortable winter for your household. Winter-Prep Checklist: What Every Hickory Homeowner Should Do 1. Change or Clean Your Air Filter & Ensure Proper Airflow Dirty or clogged air filters are one of the most common reasons HVAC systems struggle during winter. Replacing or cleaning your filter before heavy heating begins helps your system breathe easier — improving airflow, reducing wear on the system, and keeping indoor air cleaner. Check your filters at least once every 1–3 months throughout the season. Also, make sure vents and returns are unblocked by furniture, rugs, or décor. Good airflow ensures that warm air circulates evenly throughout your home without overworking your heating system. 2. Test Your Heating System & Thermostat Before cold weather becomes constant, switch your thermostat to “heat” mode and test it. Confirm that the system starts up properly and circulates warm air consistently. If you use a programmable or smart thermostat, update the schedule for winter — lowering the temperature when you’re asleep or away and raising it before you return or wake up. This simple adjustment can significantly cut energy usage while keeping your home comfortable. 3. Seal Drafts, Check Insulation & Protect Against Heat Loss Even a top-performing HVAC system can struggle if warm air is escaping. Walk through your home and check for drafts around windows, doors, attic entries, crawlspaces, and other likely areas. Add weather-stripping or caulk as needed. Good insulation — especially in attics, basements, or crawlspaces — helps maintain warmth and reduces energy loss. Ensuring your home is well-sealed and insulated will keep heating costs down and comfort levels up all winter long. 4. Protect Your Plumbing from Cold Snaps Cold weather increases the risk of frozen or burst pipes — especially in unheated spaces like garages, basements, or crawlspaces. To protect your home: Insulate exposed pipes (in garages, basements or near exterior walls). Disconnect garden hoses and drain outdoor faucets. On particularly cold nights, let a faucet drip just slightly — moving water is less likely to freeze. Keep indoor temperatures at least modestly warm (55°F or above) if you’re away from home. These steps help prevent costly water damage and ensure your home stays functional through unpredictable winter weather. 5. Schedule a Professional HVAC Winter Tune-Up Even a well-maintained system benefits from a thorough, professional inspection before winter’s worst. A trusted technician can: Clean and inspect the heat exchanger or heat pump components, Test safety controls, electrical connections, and thermostat calibration, Check for airflow issues or duct leaks, Confirm overall efficiency so your system doesn’t have to work harder than necessary. Scheduling this now — before heating demand spikes — helps avoid emergency breakdowns mid-winter and often improves energy efficiency and system lifespan. Why Edmisten Heating & Cooling Should Be Your Winter HVAC Partner At Edmisten Heating & Cooling, we’re committed to helping Hickory and surrounding area homeowners stay warm, safe, and efficient all season long. We offer: Complete winter tune-ups and heating system inspections Air filter checks and replacements Advice and service for insulation, ductwork sealing, and draft prevention Plumbing protection guidance to avoid frozen-pipe issues Fast, reliable response whenever you need help Take a moment today to check your filters, test your thermostat, inspect for drafts, and schedule an HVAC tune-up. Protect your plumbing, seal up your home, and make sure airflow stays clear and efficient. Contact Edmisten Heating & Cooling now to book your winter service — and enjoy a worry-free, comfortable, and efficient home all winter long.