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How To Protect HVAC In Winter Las Cruces New Mexico. While Las Cruces, New Mexico, enjoys a predominantly warm, arid climate, the winter months bring periods of sustained freezing temperatures, particularly overnight. For homeowners, protecting the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system during these cold snaps is a critical part of home maintenance. In the Mesilla Valley, most homes use a heat pump system—which handles both heating and cooling—meaning the large outdoor unit is constantly exposed to the elements, even when running in heating mode.
Failing to properly prepare this unit for freezing temperatures, wind, and the rare snow or ice can lead to diminished efficiency, costly repairs, and potential system failure right when you need reliable heat the most. A small investment of time in winterizing your unit now can prevent major financial headaches later, ensuring your system runs smoothly and safely throughout the cold season.
What Happens if HVAC Isn’t Properly Protected in Winter? Neglecting the routine winter protection of your HVAC unit exposes the system to several damaging risks that compromise its performance and lifespan. These issues often compound during a cold spell, leading to immediate system failure.
Frozen Coils and Compressor Damage: The most common and serious threat is the freezing of the outdoor coil. While heat pumps have a built-in defrost cycle, poor maintenance can overwhelm this function. If the coil is covered in debris or the internal airflow is restricted (e.g., by a dirty air filter), the refrigerant temperature drops too low. This causes moisture to freeze excessively, coating the coil and fan blades. Operating a unit with a severely iced-over coil can lead to liquid refrigerant entering the compressor, a phenomenon known as liquid slugging. Since the compressor is designed to handle gas, not liquid, this event can permanently destroy the compressor, resulting in a repair bill that often rivals the cost of a new unit.
Component Corrosion and Electrical Failure: Exposed electrical connections, wires, and the internal components within the outdoor unit’s cabinet are vulnerable to moisture damage. Freezing moisture, especially from wind-driven rain or ice accumulation, can lead to corrosion on the electrical contacts and circuit board. Over time, this corrosion causes intermittent failures, short circuits, or complete electrical breakdowns, reducing the unit’s efficiency and longevity.
Reduced Efficiency and Increased Bills: Dirt, dust, and leaves accumulating on the outdoor coil act as an insulator. This accumulation makes it harder for the heat pump to efficiently extract heat from the cold outdoor air. The system has to work harder and run longer cycles to meet the thermostat setting, directly leading to higher energy bills and increased wear and tear on the components. Furthermore, any physical obstruction to the fan or the fins (such as dense foliage) reduces airflow, compounding the efficiency loss.
Physical Damage from Debris and Wind: Strong winter winds common in the high desert can cause branches or other large debris to impact the fragile coil fins or the fan blades. Damaged fins restrict airflow, and a broken fan blade will immediately shut down the heating operation. Protection helps shield the unit from these environmental hazards.
HVAC Winter Protection Steps Proper winterization involves a combination of cleaning, insulating, and protecting external components. These simple steps ensure your heat pump operates safely and efficiently when temperatures drop.
Verify Refrigerant Charge: Ensure the system has the correct refrigerant level, as low charge is a leading cause of freeze-ups. Check Defrost Components: Test that the defrost control board and sensors are functioning correctly, guaranteeing the unit will self-defrost efficiently when frost appears. Inspect Electrical Components: Check electrical connections for corrosion and ensure the contactor and fan motor are operating optimally. This check is the most effective defense against catastrophic winter failure.
Clear the Perimeter: Ensure there is at least two feet of clearance around all sides of the outdoor condenser unit. Remove any fallen leaves, weeds, mulch, or snow that has accumulated around the base. This ensures optimal airflow, which is critical for the unit’s heat exchange process. Clean the Coil Fins: With the power shut off at the outdoor disconnect, gently spray the unit’s fins with a garden hose to remove dirt, dust, and any collected desert debris. Do not use a high-pressure nozzle or any object that could bend the delicate aluminum fins.
Change the Air Filter: This is arguably the most important and easiest step. A dirty filter restricts airflow to the indoor unit, causing pressure imbalances that contribute directly to the outdoor unit freezing over. Replace the filter with a clean one at the start of the winter season and check it monthly. Open Vents: Ensure all indoor air supply and return vents are fully open and unobstructed by furniture or drapes. Restricted indoor airflow will force the heat pump to work inefficiently and can trigger freezing outdoors.
Check Refrigerant Lines: Inspect the large copper suction line that runs from the outdoor unit to the house. This line should be wrapped in foam refrigerant insulation. Over time, sun exposure in the desert can cause this insulation to crack, peel, or disintegrate. Replace Damaged Insulation: If the insulation is damaged or missing, replace it immediately. Uninsulated lines lose heat quickly, forcing the system to work harder and potentially contributing to internal component stress.
Protect the Top from Ice: In areas prone to occasional ice or heavy snow, you may cover the top of the unit to prevent ice from forming on the fan blades. Use a piece of plywood or a specialized, breathable vinyl cover that is only placed over the top of the unit. DO NOT cover the sides of the unit or fully enclose it. The unit needs to breathe and draw air through its side coils to operate. Fully covering the unit will restrict airflow and can cause the very damage you are trying to prevent.
By adhering to these simple preventative measures, Las Cruces homeowners can ensure their HVAC systems are prepared to handle the cold desert nights, guaranteeing efficiency, safety, and comfort all season long.
When faced with a troublesome AC unit in Las Cruces, On the Go Heating and Cooling stands out as a reliable and customer-focused solution. Specializing in both residential and light commercial services, they offer comprehensive repair and installation for air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps, and ductless mini-split systems. Their commitment goes beyond simple fixes; they prioritize clear communication, educating customers on the issue at hand and offering affordable preventative maintenance plans to avoid future problems. With 24-hour service, financing options, and a dedicated team of certified technicians, On the Go Heating and Cooling aims to build lasting relationships with their Las Cruces clients, ensuring comfortable indoor environments year-round.