December Service Calls: Common Winter Problems and 17 Ways to Avoid Them

December is one of the busiest months of the year for service technicians. Cold weather increases furnace usage, holiday lights, and space heaters put an extra demand on electrical systems (sometimes leading to an increased risk of fire), and freezing pipes due to cold temperatures.

Homeowners can prevent most of these emergencies with a couple of simple steps. While we appreciate all the business December can bring, you must take care of your property to avoid costly repairs.

HVAC December Service Calls: No Heat

One of the most common HVAC calls we get in December is an HVAC unit not producing any heat or blowing out cold air. There could be multiple reasons why this happens. 

• Dirty air filters restrict air flow
• A faulty thermostat
• Ignitor issues
• General wear and tear

When your system works harder, it often leads to breakdowns.

How to avoid it:

• Change your air filter. Manufacturers suggest every 3-5 months. 
• Keep vents clear to keep air moving freely. 
• Schedule a tune-up

During a tune-up, we’re able to test your components, identify parts that may fail soon, and address small issues. It prevents a failure in the most vulnerable moments. 

Plumbing December Calls: Frozen pipes, Clogs, and Water Heater Problems

The cold weather in December brings freezing temperatures. Pipes exposed to cold spaces or outside are susceptible to freezing. When pipes freeze, they may experience build-up pressure from water or sewage still attempting to flow. This causes a burst pipe. It happens frequently in crawlspaces, garages, and exterior walls. 

How to avoid:

• Insulate pipes
• Use heat tape in colder areas
• Allow faucets to drip
• Open cabinet doors to allow warm air to circulate

December is also a peak time for clogged kitchen drains. Grease and food can harden and block pipes.

Prevention tip:

• Never pour grease down the drain
• Scrape food scraps into the trash
• Use sink strainers

Water heaters may have a harder time keeping up if their use increases.

How to avoid water heater issues:

• Schedule routine water heater maintenance, including flushing the tank
• Flushing removes sediment buildup
• If hot water demand has increased, consider upgrading to a larger tank

 Our licensed technicians are ready to help with flushing, repairing, or upgrading. 

Electrical December Service Calls: Holiday Lights, Space Heaters, and Winter Outages

The most common calls we receive in December are from breakers tripping due to increased usage. Plugging in too many decorations into a single circuit can overload your electrical system.

How to avoid breaker issues:

• Use LED holiday lights, which use less power
• Spread decorations out across multiple outlets and circuits
• Use GFCI-protected outlets outdoors 

If your home is older and doesn’t have protected outlets, professional outlet upgrades can improve safety and reduce the risk of breaker trips during the winter season. 

Winter storms call for ice. While some power outages are unavoidable, older homes may experience partial outages.

Prevention tip:

• Have your electrical system inspected
• Consider a whole-home generator as a backup power solution

Another common problem in December involves space heaters. Old heaters draw a large amount of power and can easily trip breakers or create fire hazards.

Space heater safety tips:

• Choose newer models with automatic shut-offs
• Plug heaters directly into wall outlets
• Avoid using space heaters on overloaded circuits

Prevent Problems Before They Start

December is the month when small problems quickly turn into larger ones. Routine maintenance and a few proactive steps can help keep your plumbing, HVAC, and electrical systems running safely and efficiently throughout the winter.

Need Help Getting Your Home Ready for Winter?

If you’re unsure if your home is winter-ready, our technicians are available to help walk you through the steps you need to take.

Schedule a professional inspection to identify issues before they become costly. We’re here to help keep your Lexington, KY home safe, warm, and comfortable. Schedule your December service call online today before the holiday rush.