Florida may be famous for its sunny weather, but when those rare cold fronts roll in, you’ll be glad your home has a reliable heating system. Want to avoid high utility bills, poor comfort, and untimely breakdowns? Follow these practical, low-cost tips and smart maintenance habits to keep your home comfortable and efficient all winter.
Understanding the Basics of Mild-Climate Heating
In Florida, heat pumps are more common than furnaces because they perform best in climates with demanding summers and mild winters. In the summer, they act just like an air conditioner, drawing heat out of your home and exhausting it outside. During the winter, they operate in reverse, pulling warmth inside from the outdoor air.
Cold-climate heat pumps can still operate in single-digit temperatures. However, they are most efficient when it remains above freezing outside, which is usually the case in Florida.
Even with mild winter temperatures, inefficiencies can add up. A clogged air filter or leaky duct wastes energy every time your unit runs. Small adjustments and prompt fixes are the key to ongoing comfort and reduced energy costs.
Set Your Thermostat Wisely
Programmable and smart thermostats simplify temperature control with automatic setback and recovery periods based on your schedule. Many also include “eco” or “auto” modes that make minor, automatic adjustments to balance efficiency and comfort.
Consider these recommendations:
- Set a comfortable temperature for when you’re at home. Try 68 to 70 degrees F.
- Program a 6- to 8-degree setback while you’re away. Try 62 to 64 degrees.
- Lower the temperature a little at night while you’re bundled under the blankets. Try 65 degrees.
Seal and Insulate to Minimize Heat Loss
Warm air escapes through gaps and cracks. Check your windows, doors, outlets, and plumbing entry points for leaks. Apply caulk, install door sweeps, and use weatherstripping to seal them up.
Next, assess the insulation level in the attic. If it’s not at least 12 inches thick, consider adding more. Ductwork should also be sealed and insulated to retain the heat your system produces as it travels to your vents.
Optimize Airflow
Ceiling fans aren’t just for summer. Set them to run on low in reverse to push warm air down from the ceiling. Also, keep interior doors and vents open so air can circulate evenly throughout the house.
Maintain Your HVAC System
Give your heating equipment the attention it deserves, and it will perform better and last longer. We recommend semi-annual maintenance for heat pumps because they run year-round. If you have a furnace, yearly service in the fall is sufficient. This is a great time to find and address small issues before they become major repairs.
Here’s what your HVAC technician will do during a maintenance visit:
- Change the filter
- Inspect the coils
- Clean blower components
- Check the drain line
- Measure the refrigerant level
- Assess the ductwork
Additional Strategies
Small changes can make your home feel warmer without overworking your HVAC system. Here’s what to try this winter:
- Cover cold tile floors with area rugs.
- Dress for the season and keep a blanket handy.
- If you use a space heater, do so only in occupied rooms and follow the manufacturer’s safety precautions.
- Open curtains during the day to capture heat and close them after sunset to hold it in.
Cost vs. Savings: What to Expect
You might not see dramatic changes in your energy bill, but good habits lead to steady savings throughout the season. A well-sealed home with a clean air filter and properly set thermostat uses less energy and reduces wear on the HVAC system. Beyond modest cost savings, you’ll enjoy consistent comfort, quieter operation, prolonged system lifespan, and fewer mid-season breakdowns.
Request Heating Services
American Air, Plumbing, and Electrical has been keeping Central Florida homes comfortable since 1987. Our licensed, background-checked technicians service all brands and provide free, upfront estimates with no surprise fees. Homeowners across Orlando, Altamonte Springs, Deltona, Clermont, and Winter Park count on us for reliable comfort and lasting results.
Even Florida’s mild winters call for reliable heating services, so contact us today to schedule an appointment.
