ORLANDO, Fla. — People across Central Florida are now bracing for expected record-low temperatures this weekend, and many are wondering how to keep their homes and appliances safe and prepared.

The answer, just like with anything, centers around preparation.

What You Need To Know

Central Florida is expecting record low temperatures through the weekend

HVAC experts suggest keeping your heat at a consistent temperature throughout the day to ensure the system is not overworked

Pool experts suggest keeping your pool at a constant circulation for 24 hours a time with your pool pump while temperatures are below freezing

Maintaining both your pool and HVAC often is key to ensuring they work properly in extreme conditions

When it comes to pools, the bubbling of water you see at times indicates that it is properly circulated, healthy, clean and, at times, even heated.

But it’s also extremely important when it comes to below freezing weather.

“You can see a little bit in the water itself right; you can see the water moving enough in the freezing temperatures,” said Pro Backyard Pool Service Owner John Rota. “It’s not necessarily the need for speed, the water doesn’t need to go so fast but enough to move within the system.”

Roto has been working on pools in Central Florida for more than four years and said most of his customers were asking how to make sure their pool is able to withstand this kind of weather.

So, he sent a message to his clients about how to keep their pool circulating for 24-hour cycles.

But not all pumps are the same, however.

The specific pump he was working on Friday can be controlled by an app on your phone, and some even have an automatic sensor to circulate while temperatures are below freezing, usually between 35 and 40 degrees. 

But others may have to make manual adjustments to ensure the pool doesn’t freeze over.

“What we suggest is to drain the water from the system,” Roto explained. “So, making sure that, for example, the pump is full of water and you can always open this up and allow the air to go in.”

Roto said you can also drain the filter by releasing it’s plug to let water out to ensure there is enough room for the water to expand but not freeze the pipe.

For those who may use solar water heaters for their pool, Roto suggests shutting off the valve for your solar heater to ensure water doesn’t continue to rise into pipes and possibly freeze.

And when it comes to regulating temperatures in your home, the key is consistency.

“I suggest in this kind of weather you should keep it at one setting. If you drop it down too low, then it will not be able to recover because that outdoor temperature is going to be 50 degrees colder than what you wanted inside,” said 4 Seasons Air Conditioning & Heating President Brian Hastings. And that’s a big difference.”

Hastings has been serving this community for more than 40 years, helping his father, who started the company in 1953.

He said the best way to ensure your system is working well is to ensure proper maintenance and shares what to do to avoid a system failure.

“You might hear that your unit is a little louder than normal, which is all normal stuff,” Hastings said. “Other than that, keep trees, branches and things away from your outdoor unit. “If you’ve covered the outdoor unit, keep leaves out of it and in this weather it’s a good idea to take that cover off and let it breathe.”

Hastings said that he and his team do have emergency services available just in case your HVAC system were to fail and says they’re prepared to help.

But both men really put an emphasis on maintenance of your appliances as a key to ensuring they work properly in extreme conditions.