Even in South Tampa — where “winter” often feels like a polite suggestion — most homes eventually flip the thermostat from cool to heat. That seasonal changeover is the perfect time to give your HVAC system some attention. The air handler, ductwork, and thermostat have been running in AC mode for months in Florida’s humidity; if you simply flip to “heat” without prep, you stack the odds toward higher bills, weaker comfort, and unnecessary repairs.
Below is a practical, South-Tampa-specific checklist to follow before you demand that first warm blast — plus when to call the pros at ACS Home Services if something isn’t right.
Replace or wash your HVAC filter (don’t skip it)
After a long cooling season, filters are usually loaded with dust and debris. A dirty filter is the #1 cause of short cycling, high bills, and poor airflow when you switch to heat.
- Disposable filter? Replace it now.
- Washable filter? Rinse thoroughly and allow it to dry before reinstalling.
If you have pets, are highly occupied, or live near Gandy, Bayshore, MacDill, or I-275 construction dust, you might need to replace filters more often.
Change your thermostat mode & confirm heat actually engages
Flip from Cool → Off → Heat to avoid mode conflicts. Then listen:
- Does the furnace/heat strip/heat pump kick on willingly?
- Do you smell a burnt-dust odor for the first few minutes? (Normal — baked-off dust.)
- Does the system shut off quickly or blow lukewarm? (It’s not; the regular test stops here.)
A quick “test heat” now prevents cold surprises before you need them at 6 a.m. on a random chilly January Tuesday.
Inspect the indoor unit area (air handler/closet/garage)
South Tampa homes often hide the air handler in a laundry closet or garage. Take 60 seconds:
- Check for pooled water, rust streaks, or wet insulation
- Confirm panels are secure (loose panels = lost efficiency & safety risk)
- Make sure stored items are not blocking airflow
If you see moisture or rust, address it before heating season magnifies the problem.
Clear and rinse the outdoor heat-pump unit
Even in winter, most South Tampa homes use heat pumps, not gas furnaces. That outside unit still works in heating mode. Make sure it can breathe:
- Cut back vegetation within 2–3 feet
- Gently hose dirt/muck off the coil fins
- Remove leaves and palm fronds from the top grille
Don’t ever bend fins or pressure-wash — gentle rinse only.
Reset and reseal return & supply grilles
Kids, painters, pet sitters — someone constantly fiddles with vents. As you transition to heat:
- Open all supply vents fully (closing vents raises static pressure & shortens system life)
- Vacuum visible dust on grilles
- Reseat any loose returns that whistle or rattle
Give the ductwork a quick visual sanity check
South Tampa’s attic heat and crawl space humidity chew on ducts. Grab a light:
- Look for collapsed flex, duct tape “band-aids,” insulation gaps, or open joints
- Listen for hiss or whistling with the system running — that’s air leaking = money leaking
Even a small leak can sabotage both cooling and heating season performance.
If you smell gas, hear arcing, or see moisture — stop
The heat pump odor (dust bake-off) is typical for a few minutes. Electrical “snap,” burning wire, repeated breaker trips, pooling water, or a gas smell are not.
Cut power and call a licensed pro before re-energizing.
Schedule a pro tune-up before the true cold snaps
The cheapest HVAC dollar you’ll ever spend is the one you spend before something breaks. A professional inspection finds failing capacitors, weak heat strips, failing relays, and safety faults before you depend on heat.
If something is already misbehaving — or you want the peace of mind — schedule heating service with ACS Home Services here:
https://www.acshomeservices.com/hvac-services/heating-repair/
Contact ACS Today!
Don’t wait until the first cold front pushes across the bay to discover your heat won’t run. If your system won’t engage, smells wrong, trips breakers, or feels weak, get ahead now. Book a heating diagnostic or repair with ACS Home Services today!
FAQ — Heating Season Changeover in South Tampa (8 Questions)
1) Do I really need heat maintenance in Florida?
Yes — even if you only use the heat 10–20 days a year, the equipment still ages, dusts up, and can fail when you finally need it.
2) Why does my heat smell burnt the first time?
Dust on heat strips or internal components burns off after long idle periods. It should fade within minutes. If it persists or smells electrical, stop and call.
3) My heat pump feels “coolish” — is that normal?
Heat pumps deliver gentler, longer heat than gas. But if the air never warms or the house won’t reach its setpoint, get it inspected.
4) Can closed vents save money?
No. Closing vents raises system pressure, shortens component life, and often increases bills.
5) How often should I change filters during heating season?
Same rhythm as cooling season — typically every 30–90 days, depending on pets and load.
6) What is emergency heat, and should I use it?
It’s your heat strip backup. Use it only if your heat pump fails or outdoor temperatures drop below the heat pump’s efficiency range. Continuous “EM Heat” will spike your bill.
7) Is duct leakage a heating problem or a cooling problem?
Both. A leak wastes money in either mode. Fixing leakage is a year-round ROI.
8) When should I call ACS instead of DIY?
Any time you see moisture, arcing, tripping breakers, persistent odors, or the system fails to heat to the setpoint.
Ready to feel confident before the next cold front? Book your heating repair or tune-up with ACS Home Services now:
https://www.acshomeservices.com/hvac-services/heating-repair/
