Most Memphis winters are mild, which is exactly why a hard freeze catches people off guard. When temperatures drop and stay down, heating systems run nonstop, weak parts fail, and no-heat calls pile up all at once. A little preparation goes a long way.
Homeowner checklist
- Schedule a fall heating check before the first cold snap.
- Replace the filter. A clogged filter can trip furnace safety controls.
- Test the heat on a cool fall day, not on the night of the freeze.
- Heat pump owners: expect defrost cycles and some steam from the outdoor unit. A unit that stays a solid block of ice needs service.
- Make sure carbon monoxide alarms work if you have gas appliances.
Property manager checklist
- Finish fall PM before the first forecasted freeze.
- Make sure vacant units have heat set to a safe minimum to protect plumbing.
- Know which residents are medically vulnerable so no-heat calls can be prioritized.
- Stock common parts: filters, igniters and flame sensors for gas units, sequencers and limits for electric heat.
- Agree on emergency communication with your HVAC vendor ahead of time.
When it's an emergency
No heat during freezing weather, especially with vulnerable occupants or freeze risk to pipes, is urgent. See emergency HVAC repair and heating repair.