It’s not your imagination — HVAC systems really do fail more often during extreme winter weather. Across West Tennessee and North Mississippi, cold snaps push heating systems to their limits, and small issues that went unnoticed in mild weather can suddenly turn into full breakdowns.
Homeowners in Counce, Pickwick, Savannah, Hardin County, Corinth, MS, and surrounding North Mississippi communities often experience heating problems at the exact moment they need their system the most. Here’s why that happens — and what you can do about it.
Cold Weather Forces HVAC Systems to Work Harder
When temperatures drop sharply, your heating system runs longer and more frequently to keep your home comfortable. This extended runtime increases wear on components like:
Motors and bearings
Electrical connections
Heat exchangers and coils
If parts were already worn or nearing the end of their lifespan, extreme cold can push them past their breaking point.
Electrical Strain Increases During Cold Snaps
Winter weather often brings power fluctuations, outages, and restarts. These electrical events can stress HVAC components, especially:
Contactors and relays
Control boards
Sensors and thermostats
Even if power comes back quickly, the damage may not be obvious right away. Many systems fail hours or days later after repeated starts and stops.
Heat Pumps Are Especially Vulnerable in Extreme Cold
Heat pumps are common throughout West Tennessee and North Mississippi, and while they’re efficient, extreme cold makes them work harder.
During cold snaps:
Defrost cycles run more frequently
Ice buildup reduces efficiency
Backup heat may engage more often
This extra workload increases energy use and can expose hidden issues in aging systems.
Deferred Maintenance Shows Up at the Worst Time
Small problems — like dirty filters, low refrigerant, or loose electrical connections — may not cause trouble in moderate weather. But during extreme cold, those minor issues can quickly turn into system shutdowns.
That’s why many winter breakdowns trace back to:
Missed annual maintenance
Aging equipment
Minor repairs postponed too long
Why Breakdowns Often Happen Overnight
Cold snaps often bring the lowest temperatures overnight, when HVAC systems run continuously for hours. That’s when components are under the most stress — and when failures are most likely to occur.
Waking up to a cold house is one of the most common winter HVAC emergency scenarios in Hardin County and Corinth, MS.
How to Reduce the Risk of a Winter Breakdown
While no system is immune to extreme weather, homeowners can reduce risk by:
Scheduling annual HVAC maintenance
Changing air filters regularly
Addressing small performance issues early
Having the system inspected before peak winter demand
Homeowners may also qualify to earn rebates on annual HVAC maintenance, helping make preventive care more affordable.
👉 Learn more about HVAC maintenance rebates here:
http://tva.me/7Vs950XL2jC
Local Help When Winter Hits Hard
If your heating system is struggling — or if you want to avoid a breakdown during the next cold snap — Harbin Heating & Air Conditioning is here to help.
📍 Harbin Heating & Air Conditioning
5910 Hwy 57 • Counce, TN 38326
📞 731-689-3651
Serving Counce, Pickwick, Savannah, Hardin County, Corinth, MS, and all of North Mississippi.
A little preparation now can make all the difference when winter weather pushes your HVAC system to its limits.
