(ABILENE, Texas) – With November here and West Texas temperatures beginning to dip, students in two of Texas State Technical College’s newest programs are preparing to help homeowners keep their homes warm and their pipes protected.
“Our students are learning some of the winter issues for heaters right now,” said Shane White, an HVAC instructor at TSTC.
White said one of the most common issues he sees in heating units — whether gas or electric — is also one of the easiest to fix.
“It’s the filter,” he said. “It’s the most forgotten thing in a unit. Everyone should make sure the filter is clean. I always recommend changing the filter once a month.”
For homes that use natural gas furnaces, White offered a simple, but important safety tip.
“Check the gas line for leaks by using soap bubbles,” he said. “Any little vibration to the line can cause a leak.”
He added that homeowners should not be alarmed if they notice a smell when turning on the furnace for the first time.
“It will always smell when you first turn it on,” White said. “There’s nothing to worry about because the gas has just been sitting there for several months.”
Another recommendation is to check the caps on the roof to ensure nothing is blocking ventilation.
While HVAC students focus on keeping the heat flowing, students in the Plumbing and Pipefitting program are learning to prevent a different kind of cold-weather problem — frozen pipes.
“Always cover the hose faucet on the outside,” said instructor Stephen Torrez. “You can use a store-bought cover, a sock or a towel. You just need to cover it with something to prevent the pipes from freezing.”
Torrez also advised that when the temperature drops below freezing, homeowners should let water drip from indoor faucets to keep it moving through the lines. Opening cabinets to expose pipes under sinks can also help, allowing warm air from the home’s heating system to circulate around them.
“Our students will be on the front lines helping their customers when the temperatures continue to drop,” Torrez said. “They’re gaining the knowledge now that they’ll use to help homeowners during their time of need.”
Registration for the spring semester is underway. To learn more, visit tstc.edu.