01/24/2026
Friendly HVAC tip for this extra-cold snap! đĄď¸âď¸
A lot of areas are seeing temperatures much lower than usual right nowâthese are often called âbeyond design conditions.â HVAC systems (like furnaces or heat pumps) are sized based on a âdesign temperatureâ for your region. For example, in my area, thatâs around 2°F. When itâs properly sized for that design temp, the system should run continuously to keep your home at a comfortable 68-70°F indoors.
But when we dip well below that design point, the system has to work extra hard just to maintain your set temperatureâitâs basically maxed out.
A few quick tips to help it through the deep freeze:
⢠Skip the nighttime setbacks for now. Avoid programming the thermostat to drop the temperature overnight (or using auto-schedule modes).
⢠Instead, put it on âholdâ at your normal comfortable setting. The system is already struggling to keep upâasking it to recover from a lower temp adds even more strain.
⢠If itâs running non-stop and your indoor temp is only reaching the mid-60s, thatâs often normal under these extreme conditions. Your unit is likely performing as it should; itâs just being pushed beyond what it was designed for.
⢠Double-check that your air filter is cleanâa dirty one makes things even harder.
⢠Hang in there! Once temps climb back toward normal, things should stabilize quickly.
Stay warm, everyoneâhope this helps ease some worries! If youâre really concerned or notice unusual noises/smells, feel free to reach out to a pro. đ