Winterizing

Houston may not have months of winter, but when cold snaps hit, they hit fast. Temperatures can drop 30 degrees in a matter of hours. Homeowners turn on heaters that haven’t run in months. Heat pumps struggle to keep up. Gas furnaces finally cycle on after long periods of inactivity. Whether your home suddenly feels cold, your heater won’t respond, or the system is blowing cold air, this guide walks you through the exact steps Houston homeowners should take when the heat goe

If you’re a Houston homeowner, you know the drill: The weather drops below 60°, social media erupts with “winter is here” memes, and you finally switch your thermostat from “cool” to “heat — just for tonight.” But then it happens. Your heater kicks on and suddenly… your entire home smells weird. Burning. Musty. Metallic. A faint electrical tang. Sometimes it’s subtle. Sometimes it’s “did something just catch on fire??”

Drafts might feel like a small nuisance — that little chill you notice when you walk past a window or sit by the back door. But those tiny leaks? They’re actually one of the biggest reasons Houston homeowners waste money on energy bills. The U.S. Dept of Energy estimates that 25–40% of heating and cooling energy loss comes from air leaks. In Houston, where AC is practically a year-round utility bill and heaters make surprise appearances during cold snaps, sealing drafts pays

Let’s be honest — Houston isn’t exactly Minneapolis. We’re not shoveling snow off the driveway or layering thermal socks just to get the mail. But when those cold fronts roll in, the chill can catch you off guard (and yes, 40° feels like the Arctic when you’re used to triple-digit summers). So what kind of heating makes the most sense for Houston homes: gas or electric? The answer depends on your home, your budget, and your tolerance for utility bills. Here’s the breakdown.

We hear this one all the time: “It barely gets cold here — do I really need a furnace tune-up?” Short answer: yes. Long answer: absolutely, yes. Even though Houston winters are mild, your furnace still plays a critical role in your comfort and safety. When temperatures drop, you don’t want to discover your furnace is more “decorative” than functional. And beyond comfort, skipping your tune-up can expose you to serious risks.

Save money and stay warm this winter! Discover 5 easy, expert-approved ways to reduce heating costs in your Houston home with help from Velocity Air A/C & Heating.