01/23/2026
🚨❄️ Nashville Major Winter Storm Prep! ❄️🚨
Neighbors, the forecast for Saturday and Sunday is looking pretty serious, with significant ice accumulation possible across our area.
At New Horizon Heating and Cooling, your safety and comfort are our priority. Here is what you MUST know about managing your heating system during an ice event, plus a few general safety tips.
👇 Crucial HVAC Ice Prep 👇
🧊 1. The "Heat Pump" Rule (Most Important!) If you have a heat pump (very common here in Nashville), the outdoor unit will ice up. It has a defrost cycle designed to melt light frost. However, if severe freezing rain encases the entire outdoor unit in thick ice, the defrost cycle won't keep up.
👉 THE FIX: If your outdoor unit is solid ice, go to your thermostat and switch it to "EMERGENCY HEAT" (sometimes labeled "AUX HEAT"). This stops trying to use the frozen outdoor unit and relies solely on the indoor electric heat strips. It will cost a little more to run, but it could save your expensive outdoor compressor from massive damage.
🚫 2. PUT THE ICE PICK DOWN! Please, NEVER try to chip, hammer, or pick ice off your outdoor HVAC unit with sharp objects or tools. You can easily puncture the delicate coils, leading to an expensive refrigerant leak and system failure. Let it melt naturally, or if absolutely necessary, gently pour warm (not boiling) water over the top—but switching to Emergency Heat is the safer bet.
🌲 3. Look Up Before the storm hits, check for dead branches immediately above your outdoor unit. Heavy ice will bring them down right onto your system.
🔦 General Home Prep Checklist 🔦 Besides your HVAC, make sure you are ready for potential power outages. Water is crucial for winter prep, have at least one gallon per person per day for drinking/sanitation for 3+ days, plus extra for toilets if pipes freeze and keep water in your car for emergencies.
🔋 Charge Everything: Phones, tablets, laptop banks, and rechargeable flashlights now.
💧 Drip Those Faucets: Keep a slow drip on indoor faucets on exterior walls to prevent burst pipes.
🔥 Alternative Heat Safety: If power goes out and you use a generator, fireplace, or space heater, ensure proper ventilation. Never run a generator indoors or in a garage.
🚗 Stay Off Roads: Ice is unforgiving. Stay home if at all possible.
Stay warm, stay smart, and stay safe, Nashville!
The Team at New Horizon Heating and Cooling 📞 (615) 810-2955
