Protect Your Home from Freezing Weather: Essential Tips from Barker's Heating & Cooling

January 2, 2025 | Blog

As freezing temperatures approach College Station and the surrounding areas, it’s crucial to prepare your home’s vital systems for the cold. At Barker’s Cooling, Heating & Plumbing, we’re dedicated to assisting families in the Brazos Valley in safeguarding their HVAC and plumbing systems. Follow these expert tips to keep your home protected and comfortable during the freeze.

HVAC System Protection

Your heating system is crucial in defending against freezing temperatures. Here’s how to get it ready:

Inspect and Test Your Heater: Ensure your furnace or heat pump is functioning correctly before the cold sets in. If you detect unusual noises, uneven heating, or delayed ignition, contact a professional promptly.
Change the Air Filter: A clean filter promotes efficient operation of your HVAC system, preventing strain during extended use.
Seal Drafts: Examine doors, windows, and vents for drafts that could force your heating system to work harder. Apply weatherstripping or caulk to seal any gaps.
Maintain a Consistent Temperature: Keep your thermostat at a steady temperature, even when you’re away, to prevent pipes from freezing and to reduce stress on your HVAC system.

Plumbing System Protection

Frozen pipes can lead to significant damage during cold spells. Prevent issues with these steps:

Insulate Exposed Pipes: Apply foam pipe insulation or heat tape to pipes in unheated spaces like attics, garages, or crawl spaces.
Drip Faucets: Allow faucets connected to exterior walls to drip slowly; moving water is less likely to freeze.
Disconnect Outdoor Hoses: Drain and store garden hoses, and shut off water to outdoor faucets to prevent freezing and potential bursts.
Locate Your Main Water Shut-Off Valve: Knowing how to shut off your home’s water supply can save time if a pipe bursts.

Barker’s Heating & Cooling is Here to Help

While freezing weather can be unpredictable, proper preparation can protect your home and family. If you need assistance with your HVAC or plumbing systems, Barker’s Cooling, Heating & Plumbing is here for you. Our team of licensed and experienced professionals is ready to provide inspections, repairs, and maintenance to keep your systems running smoothly.

Call us today at (979) 398-5194 or click here to schedule your service online. Don’t wait until it’s too late—ensure your home is ready for the freeze!

Stay safe and warm this winter with help from Barker’s Cooling, Heating & Plumbing. Together, we can weather any storm!

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Helpful Information For You And Your Home

Why Choose Barker's?

30% UTILITY SAVINGS GUARANTEE

You will save a minimum of 30% on your heating and cooling costs or we will refund double-the-difference of your savings not realized during the first year.

$500 INSTALLATION DATE GUARANTEE

If we do not have your new system operating by the date promised, we will pay you $500 for your inconvenience.

COMFORT GUARANTEE

We guarantee that the equipment we have installed will perform as we have stated, or we will remove it and return 100% of your investment.

What Our Customers Are Saying

Very Professional

Chandler did an excellent job checking out our heat pump. He was very professional, communicated well, was responsive to our questions and I was very happy with everything he did.

Steve M.

Honest and Trustworthy

Our AC went out during a late summer heatwave. Called Barkers and Victor worked very hard to get the outside unit up and running. Two hours later we conceded to the death of a 29 yo unit. Victor notified the office the next morning, and within 24 hours we had a complete new system installed, and the house cooled by the time I got home from work. Highly recommend. Honest and trustworthy.

Susan H.

Very Impressed

We were impressed by this company from the first phone call. Reed was an exceptional young man; very personable and professional. The installation team of Mike, John and Cody did an excellent job. Barker’s is a business with high standards and we are very satisfied with everything about them. So glad we found this company!

Donna D.