There are some things to check on your heating system when a snow storm hits.
The following tips may help you fix a problem with your furnace or heat pump if you have had an accumulation of snow or ice.
1. If you have a high-efficiency furnace, make sure that there is nothing blocking the vent on the outside of your house. Snow or ice can block the vent causing the furnace to malfunction.
2. If you are heating your home with a heat pump, make sure there is not an accumulation of ice or heavy snow on the outdoor fan. If you notice your heat pump having extremely long defrost cycles (like it is not able to keep up with the ice accumulation) or you notice any strange noises, just turn on the emergency heat so no damage is done to your heat pump.
3. Unhook any outdoor water hoses.
4. Make sure you are using a clean filter. A dirty filter will cause the HVAC system to run harder. Change your filter to make sure your heat will be running at full capacity during extreme temperatures.
For photos and video examples of the above issues and how to correct them, please watch this video: