By Brittany Kent, VP of Experts Heating & Cooling Inc.
If this winter feels a little strange, you’re not imagining it.
Here in Washington, we’re well into the season and still haven’t seen much snow. The mornings have been cold, the air damp, and the forecasts keep hinting that winter weather is right around the corner — but so far, it’s been more of a slow burn than a deep freeze. And while that might feel like a break from heavy snowfall, it actually creates its own challenges for your heating system.
At Experts, we’ve noticed that this kind of unpredictable weather can be harder on HVAC systems than a steady cold snap. When temperatures hover in the 30s and 40s and then dip overnight, your furnace or heat pump has to constantly adjust. It runs longer cycles in the morning, rests during the afternoon, and then kicks back into high gear after sunset. That fluctuation puts strain on components and exposes small issues that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Many homeowners are calling us because their homes don’t feel quite as warm as they should. The system is running sometimes almost nonstop, but comfort levels are inconsistent. That’s often a sign your furnace needs maintenance, your heat pump is losing efficiency, or airflow isn’t balanced properly. Then when snow finally does arrive, those small issues can quickly turn into emergency heating repairs.
The damp Pacific Northwest air also plays a role. Even without snow, moisture affects outdoor units, especially heat pumps. It’s completely normal to see a heat pump enter defrost mode during cold mornings. What’s not normal is loud grinding, frequent cycling on and off, or a sudden spike in energy bills. Washington winters may be mild compared to other states, but they’re persistent and your heating system feels every bit of it.
One of the biggest concerns during an odd winter like this is being caught off guard. When the news keeps saying snow is coming, homeowners often wait. They assume they’ll address heating maintenance “before the storm hits.” But once freezing temperatures arrive, HVAC companies across the state get flooded with calls for furnace repair and emergency service.
At Experts, our goal is always to help families stay ahead of the rush. A simple heating inspection now can prevent a no-heat situation later. It can also improve efficiency, which matters as energy costs continue to fluctuate throughout Washington. Even small adjustments like cleaning components, checking airflow, inspecting electrical connections can make a noticeable difference in performance.
I always remind homeowners that comfort isn’t just about temperature. It’s about reliability. When you turn on the heat, you should trust that it will work whether we get snow this week or not at all.
If your furnace sounds different than it did last year, if your heat pump seems to struggle on colder mornings, or if your home just doesn’t feel evenly heated, it may be time to have it looked at. Our team is here to provide heating repair, heat pump service, and seasonal HVAC maintenance across Washington, helping you prepare for whatever this winter decides to bring.
Snow or no snow, winter isn’t over yet.
Stay warm,
Brittany Kent
With snow potentially on the way, now is a great time to learn more about protecting your heating system. Take a look at some of our related articles to stay one step ahead of winter.