Winter Heating Guide for Texas Homes

Texas winters are deceptive. Nine months out of the year the heat sits unused, then a norther drops overnight temps into the teens for 48 hours and every heating system in the region is asked to perform at full capacity — often for the first time since March. Every year we see the same pattern: the first hard freeze fills our schedule with no-heat calls, most of which would have been prevented by a routine tune-up in October. This guide covers what to do before, during, and after a cold snap so your household stays warm, safe, and out of a plumbing emergency.

1. Fall Heating Tune-Up — The Best $79 You'll Spend All Year

Furnaces sit unused from April through October in Texas. When you first call for heat in November, three things are commonly wrong:

• Flame sensor is coated with soot or oxidation from last winter — the control board can't detect the flame and shuts the burner off within seconds. #1 cause of first-freeze no-heat calls.
• Hot-surface igniter has cracked or degraded — silicon carbide igniters have a 5-7 year lifespan and often fail on the first big call for heat.
• Rodents have nested in the burner compartment or chewed thermostat wiring in the attic during the off-season.

A 45-minute fall tune-up catches all three for $79. Every one becomes a $220-$500 emergency call once the freeze hits and the furnace won't start. Book in October or early November — before the first cold front rolls through.

2. Freeze Prep — 48 Hours Before

When the forecast shows a hard freeze (sustained below 25°F for 6+ hours) in the next 48 hours, run through this checklist:

• Verify heat is working — set the thermostat to Heat mode and confirm warm air within 5 minutes. Don't wait for freeze night to discover a failed igniter.
• Replace the furnace filter — a dirty filter causes overheating and safety shutoffs during long run times.
• Test all CO detectors — press the test button. Replace units older than 5-7 years (date printed on the back).
• Locate your main water shutoff — inside the garage, in a utility closet, or at the meter with a curb key. If a pipe bursts, cutting water in under 60 seconds saves thousands.
• Disconnect outdoor hoses and cover exterior faucets with foam covers ($4 at any hardware store).
• Insulate exposed pipes in attics, crawlspaces, and garage exterior walls.
• Fill vehicle tanks and stock groceries — Texas freezes often bring power outages that take out gas stations and store systems.

3. During the Freeze — Thermostat, Faucets, Doors

• Thermostat: 65-68°F day and night. Don't set it back at night — the savings are minimal, and if the heat fails at 2 AM you lose your temperature buffer.
• Never below 55°F even if you're away. Below that, interior plumbing on exterior walls starts freezing.
• Drip cold-water faucets on exterior walls when outdoor temp is below 25°F. Moving water is much harder to freeze than still water. A pencil-lead-width stream is enough.
• Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls so room air reaches the plumbing.
• Close bedroom doors at night to concentrate heat. A single space heater in a closed bedroom keeps it survivable if the main system fails.
• Keep garage doors closed and don't open them unnecessarily — attached garages buffer the house.

4. Carbon Monoxide Safety During Winter

CO poisoning cases spike every winter in Texas — usually from three sources:

1. Using gas stoves or ovens for heat when the furnace fails. Never do this. Stoves aren't designed for continuous operation in enclosed spaces.
2. Generators running in or near enclosed spaces — attached garages, screened porches, near air intakes. Generators must run at least 20 feet from any structure with air moving away from doors and windows.
3. Cracked heat exchangers in aging furnaces — the furnace runs, but combustion gases leak into the supply air stream. Only detectable with combustion analysis testing (included in every one of our heating diagnostics).

If a CO alarm activates: get everyone out (people and pets), call 911 if anyone shows symptoms, then call your gas utility (Atmos Energy: 866-322-8667). Once cleared, call us to inspect the HVAC system. See our full CO alarm emergency guide for the step-by-step protocol.

Symptoms of CO poisoning: headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, weakness, chest pain. Multiple family members sick at once, or symptoms that improve when leaving the house, are strong indicators.

5. What to Do If the Heat Fails During a Cold Snap

• Call us immediately — (214) 466-6465 — real humans answer 24/7. During freeze events we prioritize no-heat calls in the order received.
• Check the thermostat first — Heat mode, setpoint above room temp, batteries fresh.
• Check the furnace on/off switch (looks like a light switch on or near the unit) and both breakers.
• Replace the filter if it's dirty — dirty filters cause overheating that trips safety switches.
• Use safe portable electric heaters — space heaters plugged into wall outlets, plugged directly (no extension cords), kept 3 feet from anything flammable.
• Never use gas stoves or ovens for heat. CO risk is severe.
• Concentrate people into fewer rooms — close doors, use blankets, share body heat.

See our 24/7 emergency heating service page for what qualifies as a true emergency and our response protocol.

6. Common Winter Heating Problems — Diagnostic Guides

Before you call, if you have time, one of these symptom guides will often tell you what's wrong — and sometimes let you fix it yourself in 5 minutes:

7. Heating Services We Provide

Full range of residential and light-commercial heating service across Mabank, Cedar Creek Lake Area, and DFW:

Winter Heating FAQ