What should I do to prepare my HVAC for an Oklahoma ice storm?

Before a freeze: change the air filter (restricted airflow causes furnace lockout), verify the thermostat is on HEAT, clear the area around the outdoor unit, check that the flue pipe exhaust isn't blocked, and know where your circuit breakers are. Consider a backup heat source for extended outages.

Should I cover my AC unit during an Oklahoma ice storm?

No. Modern air conditioners are designed to handle rain, snow, and ice. Covering the unit traps moisture and pests, and can damage the refrigerant lines. The refrigerant itself prevents freezing damage. Simply turn off the AC at the thermostat and let the unit weather the storm uncovered.

What do I do if my heat goes out during an ice storm?

First check the thermostat (set to HEAT, fan on AUTO, temp above current room temp). Check the circuit breaker for the furnace and air handler. Replace the filter if it's been 60+ days. Check that the condensate drain isn't frozen (for high-efficiency furnaces). If still no heat, call Hartzell's at 405-375-4822 — we prioritize no-heat calls during freeze events.

Why do heat pumps struggle during Oklahoma ice storms?

Standard heat pumps lose efficiency below 35–40°F and may struggle to keep up during single-digit temperatures. High-efficiency heat pumps enter defrost cycles that temporarily blow cool air. If you have a heat pump without gas backup, consider adding emergency heat strips or upgrading to a dual-fuel system that switches to gas below a set outdoor temperature.

How do I keep pipes from freezing if my heat goes out?

Keep cabinet doors under sinks open to allow warm air to reach pipes. Let faucets drip slightly. Insulate exposed pipes in crawl spaces. If you'll be without heat for more than a few hours in freezing temperatures, turn off the main water supply and drain the lines to prevent burst pipes.

Oklahoma Ice Storm HVAC Prep | Hartzell's Heat & Air

Name: Hartzell’s Heat & Air
Address: 602 S Main St, Kingfisher, Oklahoma, 73750, US
Telephone: 405-375-4822

Oklahoma ice storms don’t give much warning. When a February blue norther drops temperatures 30 degrees in two hours and ice coats the power lines, the difference between a warm house and a crisis is whether your HVAC system was ready. Here’s what to do before, during, and after a freeze event.

Oklahoma winter ice storm and snow — Kingfisher — Oklahoma ice storms can push heat pumps past their efficiency threshold. Know your backup heat options.

Before the Storm — 24–48 Hours Out

Change the air filter — a clogged filter causes the furnace to overheat and lock out. Don’t head into a freeze with a dirty filter.
Test the furnace now — set the thermostat to heat, 5 degrees above room temp, and verify it fires. Far better to find a problem Tuesday than 2am Thursday.
Clear the flue pipe outlet — high-efficiency furnaces exhaust through PVC pipes near the ground. Check that leaves and debris aren’t blocking them. Ice can block these pipes during the storm — check periodically.
Note your circuit breaker locations — the furnace, air handler, and heat pump each have dedicated breakers. Know where they are.
Locate the condensate drain — high-efficiency furnaces produce condensate that drains outside. This drain can freeze. Know where it exits the house.
Stock a backup heat source — a propane heater rated for indoor use (with CO detector) buys you time if the power goes out or the furnace fails.
Don’t cover the outdoor AC unit — it’s designed for this weather. Covering it causes more problems than it prevents.

During the Storm — Keep the Heat On

Keep thermostat at 68°F or above — don’t try to save energy during a hard freeze. The cost of re-warming a 45°F house is much higher than maintaining 68°.
Open cabinet doors under sinks — especially on exterior walls. Warm air reaching those pipes prevents freezing.
Let exterior faucets drip — moving water resists freezing. A slow drip on the faucet farthest from the water entry is standard Oklahoma freeze protocol.
Check the condensate drain outlet periodically — if it ices over, the furnace will lock out on a safety switch. Pour warm water on a frozen outlet to clear it.
If the heat pump is blowing cool air — check if it’s in defrost mode (normal, lasts 5–15 minutes). If it runs in defrost for longer, call for service.

⚠ Winter Uri lesson (February 2021): Central Oklahoma saw temperatures below 0°F for multiple days. Homes with gas furnaces and geothermal systems fared far better than those relying solely on electric heat pumps. If your home is all-electric with a standard heat pump, a dual-fuel upgrade before next winter is worth serious consideration.

If Your Heat Goes Out During a Freeze

Check the thermostat — set to HEAT, fan AUTO, temperature set above current room temp. Replace batteries if display is dim.

Check the circuit breaker — a tripped breaker is the most common “no heat” call. Reset it once. If it trips again, call a technician — don’t keep resetting.

Replace the air filter — a completely clogged filter trips the high-limit switch. Swap in a fresh filter and give the furnace 30 minutes to cool down before restarting.

Check the flue exhaust pipe — go outside and check that the PVC exhaust pipe (usually near the foundation) isn’t blocked with ice. Clear it with warm water.

Also Serving

Kingfisher
Enid
Yukon
Mustang
Edmond
Guthrie
El Reno
Weatherford

Call Hartzell’s — 405-375-4822. We prioritize emergency HVAC repair calls during freeze events. Our technicians are stocked with the most common furnace parts — ignitors, flame sensors, capacitors — for same-trip repairs.

After the Storm — System Check

Inspect the outdoor AC/heat pump unit for ice damage (bent fins, cracked housing)
Check that the condensate drain has thawed and is flowing freely
Test the AC when temperatures return to normal — verify it cools before summer
If the system ran continuously for days without cycling off, have the heat exchanger checked — extended high-temp operation accelerates cracking

Common HVAC Questions › · See Pricing › · Current Specials › · Equipment Warranties ›

Need service? See our Emergency HVAC page for pricing, service area, and same-day availability across central Oklahoma. Call 405-375-4822.

No Heat? Call Us 24/7

NATE Certified. Upfront pricing. Same-day available.

405-375-4822

Related Services from Hartzell’s Heat & Air

Emergency HVAC Repair — after-hours emergency service when ice storms hit
Heating Repair — Kingfisher — fast furnace and heat pump diagnosis year-round
HVAC Maintenance — pre-season tune-ups that catch issues before the cold arrives

Written by Dave Hartzell — Owner, Hartzell’s Heat & Air. Master HVAC License #00115936. Serving central Oklahoma for 15+ years.