Get Your Blue Springs Home Ready for Winter: Heat Pump vs. Furnace, Thermostat Settings and Sealing Drafts

Getting a Blue Springs home ready for winter comes down to three things: knowing how your heating system works best, setting your thermostat the right way, and keeping warm air from leaking out. Here is a simple, practical guide from First Mate Heating & Cooling for homeowners in Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Lee's Summit and across eastern Jackson County.

1. Know whether you have a heat pump, a furnace, or both

Many homes in the eastern Kansas City metro heat with a gas furnace. Others use an electric heat pump, and some have a dual-fuel setup that pairs a heat pump with a furnace.

• Heat pump: It moves heat from the outdoor air into your home. It is very efficient on mild and chilly days, and it works harder as temperatures fall. Most heat pumps have backup electric heat for the coldest nights.
• Gas furnace: It makes heat by burning natural gas or propane and delivers strong, steady warmth no matter how cold it gets outside.
• Dual fuel: The heat pump handles mild weather and the furnace takes over in deep cold. This fits Missouri winters well, where mild days and hard freezes often fall in the same week.

Not sure what you have? Look at the outdoor unit. If it runs in winter, you have a heat pump. Learn more about our heat pump repair, tune-ups and installs.

2. Set your thermostat for comfort and savings

• Start around 68 degrees when you are home and awake, then adjust for comfort. This is the U.S. Department of Energy's suggested starting point.
• Set it back while you sleep or are away. The Department of Energy says turning a furnace thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees for about eight hours a day can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling.
• Go easy on heat pump setbacks. Large swings can make a heat pump call for its backup electric heat when you turn it back up, which costs more to run. Keep setbacks small, or use a thermostat made for heat pumps that warms the house gradually.
• Leave "Emergency Heat" off. That setting is only for when the heat pump itself is not working.
• Program it once. A programmable or smart thermostat follows your schedule for you. See our thermostat installation and repair options.

3. Seal drafts around the house

Cold air sneaking in makes your system run longer. A few simple weekend fixes help:

• Add or replace weatherstripping on exterior doors and attic hatches.
• Caulk gaps around window frames and where pipes or wires enter the house.
• Put foam gaskets behind outlet and switch covers on outside walls.
• Use a door sweep on doors that leak light at the bottom.

4. Check your ductwork

Ducts that run through an attic, crawlspace or garage can leak warm air before it reaches your rooms. Look for loose joints, gaps and disconnected sections you can see. Seal small gaps with metal foil tape or duct mastic, not cloth duct tape, which dries out and peels. If some rooms stay cold or dusty no matter what, ask your technician to check the ducts during your next furnace tune-up in Blue Springs.

5. Start the season with a clean filter

A dirty filter chokes airflow, makes any heating system work harder and can lead to breakdowns. Check it monthly during heating season and change it when it looks gray or clogged.

Common questions

Is a heat pump or a furnace better for a Blue Springs home?

Both work well here. A heat pump is very efficient on mild winter days, and a gas furnace gives strong, steady heat on the coldest nights. Many Kansas City area homes get the best of both with a dual-fuel system. The right choice depends on your home, your ductwork and the fuel you have.

What temperature should I set my thermostat in winter?

Start around 68 degrees when you are home and awake, and set it lower while you sleep or are away. With a heat pump, keep setbacks small unless your thermostat is made for heat pumps.

Why does my heat pump say "Aux Heat" or "Emergency Heat"?

"Aux Heat" means the backup heat is helping on a very cold day or after a big thermostat change, and that is normal. "Emergency Heat" is a manual setting meant only for when the heat pump is not working. If you see Aux Heat running all the time, call for service.

How can I tell if my ducts are leaking?

Common signs are rooms that never get warm, extra dust, and heating bills that climb without a clear reason. A technician can check your ductwork during a heating tune-up.

Does First Mate serve Blue Springs?

Yes. From our shop in Lee's Summit, we provide heating repair and maintenance in Blue Springs, Grain Valley and nearby communities, with 24/7 emergency service when the heat goes out.

About First Mate Heating & Cooling

First Mate Heating & Cooling is a family-owned heating and air conditioning company that has kept Kansas City area homes comfortable since 1971. Our licensed technicians repair, maintain and install furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners, ductless mini splits and thermostats, and we are an Amana and Daikin dealer. We answer 24/7 for no-heat emergencies, offer free estimates on new system replacements and installs, and back our work with warranties. We proudly serve Blue Springs, Lee's Summit, Grain Valley, Raymore, Greenwood and Leawood.

First Mate Heating & Cooling, 1800 SW Market Street, Lee's Summit, MO 64082. Learn more at callfirstmate.com.