How to Prepare Your HVAC System for a North Texas Winter (7 Simple Steps)

Nathan Reeves

Sep 4

7 min read

Summer in North Texas doesn't show any signs of disappearing soon, but time moves quickly, and, as much as you might not want to admit it, winter is just around the corner.

When the cold weather arrives, you'll naturally change how you keep your home comfortable. Instead of warding off the heat, you'll be trying to stay warm, giving your HVAC system responsibilities that it hasn't faced for almost 10 months.

With that in mind, there's a good chance that you'll need to commit to some basic HVAC system prep to get it ready for its winter shift. In this guide, we're breaking down how you can effectively prepare your HVAC system, so you're not caught out once the temperature drops.

Key Takeaways:

Get a professional to give your HVAC system a check-up before the first freeze hits. That way, you can reduce the likelihood of your unit breaking down mid-season, with long wait times to get someone out.
Swap your air filter for a new one now and check it every 30 days through winter.
Do a test run of your heat, thermostat, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide detectors on a mild fall day, so you don't have to play detective during a cold snap.
Prepare your outdoor unit (or heat pump) by clearing it out, protecting it from the elements, sealing any obvious gaps, and making sure all the vents are open. This will help keep your home warm and your heating bills down.

Step 1: Test Your Heating System Before the First Freeze

You don't want to find out your heater isn't working when freezing temperatures arrive. That's why we recommend doing a full system check as your first point of call before it freezes over.

Set the thermostat to 'Heat' at around 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Listen out for it kicking in. You should start to feel the warm air coming through the vents within a few minutes.
A bit of a burning smell is normal when you first turn it on, but if it's smoky or lasts a while, there may be a problem.

Look out for red flags, like loud banging, squealing, short cycling, not much heat coming through the vents, or the house heating unevenly. These can all be signs that your HVAC system is about to fail. If something doesn't look right, switch your heating system off and call a professional service, like our team at Koala-T, to check it out.

Step 2: Change Your Air Filter (and Keep Changing It)

Keeping your air filter clean is non-negotiable if you want to keep your HVAC system running smoothly and the air inside your house healthy all winter. A dirty air filter can slow things down and make it harder for the system to do its job.

Here's what to do:

Check the air filter every 30 days, and swap it every 60-90 days. Change it every one-to-two months if you've got pets or there's a nearby construction project that could be affecting your air quality.
Most homes use 1-inch disposable filters in the hall returns. Look for a filter with a MERV 8-11 rating to get a good balance between filtering and airflow.
Don't let your air filter get clogged! That'll restrict airflow and make your indoor air quality worse. Stock up on new filters before winter sets in.

Keeping your air filters clean helps keep your indoor air pure, and dust buildup in the vents can affect air quality. In the winter, indoor air can dry out fast, so keeping an eye on humidity levels will help keep your home comfortable, too.

Step 3: Schedule Professional HVAC System Maintenance

Regular maintenance is key to keeping your HVAC system running safely and efficiently in North Texas. Arrange for a professional HVAC company to conduct a check-up of your unit every year to catch any potential problems before they can escalate.

When you call Koala-T for an HVAC system tune-up, we'll check things like the heat exchangers and burners for damage, the blower motor, belts, and electrical connections, and make sure the refrigerant levels and defrost cycles are sorted for heat pump systems. Many manufacturers require annual professional inspection to keep warranties valid and systems energy efficient. Oncor's Home Energy Efficiency Program also supports seasonal maintenance as part of their efficiency initiatives.

We recommend booking your fall check-up before December to beat the rush and avoid expensive repairs during the busiest weeks of winter. Our Joey Club memberships include two comprehensive system inspections per year: one for your heating system before winter hits, and one for your air conditioning system before the Texas summer kicks in.

Step 4: Check and Program Your Thermostat for Energy-Efficient Heating

Your thermostat settings can make a big difference to how much energy you use and how long your system lasts. Keeping the temperature steady can help the system work more efficiently.

Keep your thermostat set to 68 when you're home, and a bit lower when you're out or at night, as per expert guidelines.
Keeping the temperature set to at least 65°F protects pipes and prevents them from bursting during severe freezes.
Adjusting your thermostat can save you up to 10% on heating costs.

We recommend getting a programmable thermostat to save energy, and a smart thermostat will take it to the next level: it'll learn your schedule and adjust the heating automatically. This can help you reduce heating costs by up to 10%, and you can even control it from a phone app.

Many North Texas electric providers offer rebates on smart thermostats, so it's worth checking your provider's website or Oncor's smart home page to see if there are any current offers. This fall, take a moment to test your thermostat and make sure it's working properly: verify the display is clear, replace the batteries, and confirm that mode options like "heat", "auto", and "cool" are all functioning correctly.

Step 5: Clear and Protect Your Outdoor Unit or Heat Pump

Your outdoor unit — whether you have a simple air conditioner paired with a gas furnace or a heat pump that runs year-round — will need some attention before winter sets in.

Before you start cleaning, make sure the power is turned off at the disconnect.
Get rid of any leaves, grass clippings, branches, and other debris that has accumulated around the unit (clear a space of about two feet on all sides). You want to make sure the air can circulate freely around the unit for it to work effectively.
For heat pumps, it's a good idea to leave the outdoor unit uncovered all winter. A bit of frost is okay, but a large buildup of ice is not what you want.
If you have a basic air conditioner, you might be able to get away with putting a rigid board on top to deflect any falling ice, but avoid covering the unit too tightly, or you might end up with moisture problems and rodent issues.
Double-check your gutters above the unit to make sure water isn't dripping down onto the equipment and freezing.

If you're not sure whether you've got a heat pump or just a standard air conditioner, we'll figure it out when we visit your home for an inspection and can show you how to care for the system you have. Contact us to book an inspection.

Step 6: Open Vents, Check Ductwork, and Seal Drafts

Getting good airflow is just as important as having a strong furnace. If the heated air can't circulate properly through your house, you'll end up with cold areas and high energy bills.

Make sure your supply vents and return grilles are open and unblocked. Leave at least 80% of your vents open for the best airflow.
Vacuum your registers to get rid of any dust and debris that could clog things up.

Inspecting and cleaning your ductwork is also very important. It can help you identify and fix any leaks and make sure the heated air is getting where it needs to go.

Leaky ducts can lose up to 30% of the heated air, so it's worth doing some sealing to prevent that from happening. We recommend using UL-rated foil tape to seal up any obvious gaps.

And don't forget about simple draft-sealing! Weatherstripping around your doors and windows can go a long way in keeping the warm air in during the winter. We also recommend using door sweeps, foam outlet gaskets on exterior walls, and closing off your fireplace when it's not in use to prevent heat from escaping once the winter weather arrives.

Step 7: Safety First – Carbon Monoxide Detectors and Smoke Alarms

Carbon monoxide is invisible and odorless, so it's well worth having some detectors installed in your home.

Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors at the start of the heating season.
Replace the batteries every fall, even if the devices aren't beeping,
If your detectors are older than seven-to-ten years, it's time to get some new ones.
Make sure you've got at least one carbon monoxide detector outside each bedroom and on every level.

Gas furnaces need to be vented properly, and a pro tune-up will include checking for backdrafting and any rusted flue pipes.

Don't forget to insulate any exposed pipes to prevent them from freezing up during the winter, especially in your attic, garage, and any crawl spaces.

Our Koala-T HVAC technicians can spot any obvious safety concerns with venting, gas lines, or combustion when they come for a service visit. For the latest local carbon monoxide safety guidelines, you can check the Texas Department of State Health Services.

FAQ

How early should I schedule winter HVAC maintenance in North Texas?

Late September to early November is the best time to get your winter HVAC preventative maintenance done, before the first big cold front hits. By December, appointment slots are usually all booked up as issues become noticeable (and often unavoidable, with the cold weather outside). Scheduling your winter tune-up early also gives you time to order parts or fix any repairs without having to rush, which can save you a lot of stress and cash.

How do I tell if I have a heat pump or just an air conditioner with a furnace?

You can work out if you have a heat pump or just an air conditioning unit with a furnace by testing it out. If the outdoor unit is running when the thermostat is set to "heat," then it's probably a heat pump. Or, check the model label on the unit: it usually says "heat pump". We can also confirm what you've got and show you how the system should work when we come for a service visit.

How long should a well-maintained HVAC system last in North Texas?

Typically, a gas furnace will last 15 to 20 years, while an air conditioner or heat pump will usually make it ten to 15 years in this climate. But with regular maintenance and filter changes, along with annual proper installations from a reputable company like Koala-T, you might be able to get your system to last up to the higher end of those lifespans.