Arizona winters are mild during the day, but nights in the East Valley can drop near freezing. Your heating may sit unused for six or seven months, so it is worth testing it before you need it.
Most homes here heat with one of two systems:
- A heat pump. The same outdoor unit that cools your home in summer runs in reverse to bring heat inside.
- A gas furnace. It burns natural gas or propane inside the home, usually in the attic or a closet, and works alongside a separate air conditioner.
If you are not sure which one you have, look at your thermostat settings or the label on the indoor unit. Or call us and we can tell you.
Test it on a mild day
Do not wait for the first cold night. Pick a cool evening and:
- Set the thermostat to Heat.
- Raise the temperature 3 or 4 degrees above the room temperature.
- Wait a few minutes and feel the air at a vent. It should feel warm, not just room temperature.
- Let it run for 15 minutes, then set it back.
If nothing happens, check that the thermostat has power (many run on batteries) and that the breaker for the system is on.
What is normal on the first run
- A dusty or burning smell for a few minutes. Dust settles on the heating parts over the summer and burns off. It should fade quickly. If it does not, or it smells like burning plastic or wiring, turn the system off and call.
- Steam from the outdoor unit (heat pumps). On cold mornings a heat pump runs a defrost cycle to melt frost off the outdoor coil. A little steam and a pause in heating are normal.
A few quick checks
- Change or check the air filter. A clogged filter makes any system work harder. See our post on how often to change your air filter.
- Clear around the outdoor unit. Heat pumps need open airflow in winter too. Keep plants, trash cans and stored items at least a couple of feet away.
- Test your carbon monoxide alarms if your home has a gas furnace or other gas appliances.
About “emergency heat”
Many heat pump thermostats have an Emergency Heat or EM Heat setting. It turns off the heat pump and uses backup electric heat only. Backup heat costs more to run, so it is meant for times when the heat pump is not working. If you find yourself needing it, that is a good time to call for a repair.
When to call
Call if the air from the vents stays cool, the system turns on and off every few minutes, you hear grinding or banging, or a burning smell does not go away. A yearly check before the season starts can catch worn parts early.