Winter in Statesville usually brings mild daytime temperatures — but anyone who lives here knows the real surprise comes after sunset. Nighttime temperatures frequently drop below freezing this time of year, and that’s when many homeowners notice their heat pump working harder, running longer, or even switching to backup heat. If you’ve wondered whether your system is supposed to behave this way — the answer is yes… to a point. Let’s break down why heat pumps struggle in freezing weather and what you can do to keep your home comfortable and your energy bills under control. How Heat Pumps Actually Heat Your Home Unlike furnaces that create heat, heat pumps move heat from the outdoor air into your home. Even cold air contains heat energy — but the colder it gets outside, the harder your heat pump has to work to extract it. Here in Statesville, winter days often hover in the 40s and 50s — ideal heat-pump weather. But once temperatures fall near or below freezing overnight, efficiency drops and the system may rely on auxiliary (backup) heat to maintain your thermostat setting. Signs Your Heat Pump Is Working Too Hard During cold snaps, some changes are normal — but others signal a problem: System runs constantly without reaching set temperature Sudden jump in electric bill Outdoor unit covered in ice Frequent switching to emergency or auxiliary heat A properly functioning heat pump will occasionally enter a defrost cycle to melt outdoor coil frost. But heavy ice buildup or nonstop auxiliary heat means it’s time for a professional check. Tips to Help Your Heat Pump Perform Better This Winter 1. Don’t Crank the Thermostat Up Suddenly Large temperature jumps force the system into backup heat mode. Instead, raise the thermostat gradually. 2. Keep the Outdoor Unit Clear Leaves, debris, or snow restrict airflow and reduce efficiency. Keep at least two feet of clearance around the unit. 3. Change Your Filter Regularly Restricted airflow indoors makes your system work harder outside — especially during cold nights. 4. Avoid Using “Emergency Heat” Unless Necessary Emergency heat bypasses the heat pump entirely and uses only backup heating — which is much more expensive to run. 5. Schedule a Winter System Check A mid-season inspection ensures refrigerant levels, defrost controls, and airflow are all functioning properly when you need them most. Is It Time to Upgrade? If your heat pump is more than 10–12 years old, newer high-efficiency models perform significantly better in colder temperatures than older systems. Many modern heat pumps now operate effectively even below freezing — perfect for North Carolina’s unpredictable winter nights. Stay Warm Through Every Cold Snap Statesville winters may be moderate overall, but those freezing overnight temperatures can test any heat pump. A little maintenance and professional attention now can prevent comfort issues and high bills later. If your system is struggling this winter, Duncan Heating & Air is ready to help. Our local team knows exactly how North Carolina weather affects home comfort — and we’re here to keep your system running efficiently all season long. Call today or schedule service online — and stay warm, Statesville!

As winter settles in around Statesville and the temperatures drop, many homeowners naturally think about furnace tune-ups, filters, and thermostat settings. What is often less top of mind: indoor humidity — yet it plays a key role in comfort, health and HVAC performance during the colder months. Why humidity matters this time of year When outdoor air gets colder, it holds less moisture. As we bring that air inside and heat it, its relative humidity drops dramatically – often to levels that feel dry and uncomfortable. This has a handful of knock-on effects: Dry skin, scratchy throats and increased static indoors. Wood floors, furniture and window/door frames may shrink or crack from the dry air. Your heating system may run more often to compensate for the “dry-cold” feeling even when thermostat settings haven’t changed. Paradoxically, colder air with higher moisture content can feel warmer than dry air at the same temperature. How low humidity affects your HVAC system At Duncan Heating & Air Conditioning, we see how improper indoor moisture levels can challenge the system’s efficiency: When air is very dry, you might crank up the thermostat setting to feel warm — but your furnace is doing more work and your energy bills go up. Ductwork and vents may accumulate dust more quickly in dry air—clogging filters, reducing airflow, and stressing the system. If your system includes a heat pump or hybrid system, optimum performance often depends on a correct balance between heating load and indoor humidity. What “ideal” indoor humidity looks like For winter months in our region, a good target range is around 35 %–45 % relative humidity (RH). Too high (over ~50 %) worsens condensation risk on windows and in crawlspaces; too low (under ~30 %) leads to the dry-air issues above. Here are some practical steps we recommend to our neighbors at home and at Duncan Heating & Air Conditioning: Use a hygrometer – A small inexpensive device will tell you your current indoor humidity. If you’re below ~30% RH, take action. Introduce moisture – when needed Use a portable humidifier in high-use areas (bedrooms, living room). Place water-filled trays or plants in sunny spots to passively add humidity. Be mindful: Don’t over-humidify. If windows fog up and drip, humidity is too high. Seal the envelope of your home Close gaps in weather-stripping around doors and windows so the heater isn’t battling cold drafts and dry outside air. Ensure your attic and crawl space are properly insulated so the dry outside air isn’t pulling warmth (and moisture) out of the living area. Maintain your HVAC regularly Change filters monthly so airflow isn’t restricted — dry air moves fast but clogged systems still suffer. Have us inspect ducts and vents for dust-build up (which dry air accents). Ask us about integration of a whole-home humidifier system — if you’re finding portable humidifiers annoying or ineffective, this may be worth the investment. Adjust thermostat strategy You may find that you feel comfortable at a slightly lower thermostat setting when indoor humidity is balanced — meaning you’re warmer and using less energy. Consider using lower “away” settings during daytime, and raise it before you return, but keep humidity control active. Why choosing a pro makes the difference At Duncan Heating & Air Conditioning, we’ve been serving Statesville and surrounding areas since 1931 and know how local weather patterns impact homes. With experience, we can help you determine whether your heating system, ductwork, insulation or humidification setup needs an upgrade — not just patchwork fixes. A properly balanced home (heating system + humidity + insulation) means fewer cold spots, lower energy bills, less static and better comfort overall. More importantly: it means you’re not simply warming dry air — you’re creating a warm, healthy home environment. Ready to optimize your winter comfort? If you’ve noticed dry air symptoms, uneven warmth, or higher heating bills this season, let our team take a look. We offer: Humidity mapping and diagnostics Whole-home humidifier installation and integration HVAC tune-up with heating-season focus Duct and vent inspection Energy-efficiency consulting for insulation and sealing upgrades Call us at 704-872-2431 or schedule service through our website. Let’s make sure your home in Statesville stays warm and comfortable — the right way — this winter.