Welcome back to Volusia County. If this is your first winter here, or your first in a new place, your heat may feel different from what you’re used to up north. Nothing’s wrong. It’s a different kind of system.
“We get a lot of snowbirds in Florida. They’re used to furnaces up north, and furnaces give a quick demand of heat. It’s instant and it’s hot. If you haven’t experienced electric heat or a heat pump, it’s night and day.”
Jason Healy, Operations Manager
Furnace vs. Florida heat pump
| What you’re used to | Here | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Hot air within a minute or two | Gradual | Give it 15–20 minutes, then check for a one-degree rise. |
| Crank it up, it heats faster | Partly | About 5 degrees brings the heat strips on to help. |
| Outdoor unit off in winter | Different | A heat pump’s outdoor unit runs in heat mode. That’s normal. |
| No smell when the heat starts | Different | A light dusty smell the first time is normal here. |
Getting comfortable faster
Set it to Heat and give it time
A heat pump ramps up. Check the thermostat after 15 to 20 minutes. If the room has warmed by even a degree, it’s working.
Use the 3-degree rule
Small changes let the heat pump do the work efficiently. Jumps of more than about 3 degrees bring the heat strips on too.
“If you don’t jump it more than 3 degrees, that heat strip’s not going to kick in. So you just have the heat pump pumping in the heat, and it takes time for the home or condo to heat up.”
Jason Healy
Learn your thermostat
Newer thermostats have schedules, sensors and Auto modes. Make sure it’s on Heat and that a schedule isn’t overriding you.
“That’s why it’s very important when we do maintenances or service and install new units that we thoroughly explain thermostats to customers.”
Jason Healy
Arriving for the season? Book a maintenance visit for when you get here. Your technician runs the system through heat mode, cleans it after months of sitting, and walks you through your thermostat. Learn about our maintenance plans.
Call us if
- The room hasn’t warmed a degree after two 15–20 minute checks
- Emergency heat shows on the thermostat and you didn’t set it
- The air is only room temperature
- You smell burning plastic or see debris from the vents
More winter guides: 6 things to check before you call, AUX vs. emergency heat and why your heat smells like burning.
Need a hand with your heat?
Flat $129 diagnostic. Serving Volusia County since 1976.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my Florida heat take longer than my furnace up north?
Most Florida homes use a heat pump, which warms gradually instead of blasting hot air like a gas furnace. Give it 15 to 20 minutes and look for a one-degree rise.
Should I crank the thermostat up to heat faster?
Raising it about 5 degrees brings the heat strips on to help. They shut off once the room is within about 3 degrees of your setting.
Is it normal for the outdoor unit to run in winter?
Yes. A heat pump’s outdoor unit runs in heat mode to pull warmth from the outside air.
What should I do when I arrive for the season?
Book a maintenance visit so your system is tested in heat mode and cleaned after sitting, and so your technician can walk you through the thermostat.
