When you think “winter problem,” you probably picture burst pipes and blizzards—aka, not Houston. Our winters are mild, short, and a little moody. But here’s the twist: winter is when indoor air quality (IAQ) quietly becomes a big deal. We close windows, spend more time inside, kick on the heat—then recirculate the same air day after day. If your home’s air was a playlist, winter is when it gets stuck on repeat.

Here’s the thing about Houston winters: they’re mild compared to up north, but they’re also unpredictable. One week it’s 80°, the next week you’re wondering if the pipes will freeze. That constant up-and-down has Houstonians running their HVAC systems in weird patterns — heat in the morning, AC by afternoon. It’s also when energy efficiency myths start circulating faster than the neighborhood group text about the next cold front.

Summer in Texas is no joke. Your A/C becomes the MVP of your home — but even the best system can struggle if your air ducts are packed with dust, debris, or that weird mystery fluff no one wants to talk about. Most homeowners forget about their ductwork because it’s out of sight. But if you’re a hardcore DIYer (and not afraid of a little dust), cleaning your air ducts yourself is absolutely doable.