Fayetteville does not get a long winter. It gets a few mean nights. Equipment that loafed through October gets caught on the first one.
Heat pump
It should still heat when it is cold, just slower. The outdoor unit will look wet or even frosty and then defrost — steam, a whoosh, a minute of cool air at the vents. That can be normal. What is not normal: outdoor unit dead, indoor air barely above room temp, or strips (aux / emergency heat) running for hours while the bill explodes.
Emergency heat on purpose is a switch. Emergency heat because the pump failed is a visit.
Gas furnace
Safety first. Flame, venting, carbon monoxide — we do not “take a look” at a burner with the door off for fun. If you smell gas, leave, call the utility from outside, then us. A furnace that starts then shuts off on limit is often airflow (filter, closed vents) the same as summer ice, different symptom.
Shared checks
Thermostat in Heat, setpoint above the room, filter, vents. Same Toolbox gates with Skip on outdoor if you only have a furnace.
We are not going to pretend a 15-year heat pump with a screaming aux bill just needs a coupon. We will measure, then you choose repair vs replace.