Winter often brings changes in how your HVAC system sounds, runs, or feels. You might notice longer run times, new noises, or rooms that don’t seem to warm evenly. For many homeowners, these changes immediately raise concern that something is wrong. The reality is that HVAC systems behave differently in winter, and many changes are completely normal. Cold weather affects airflow, materials, and runtime patterns in ways that don’t occur during warmer months.

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??”

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.

Buying a home is a big deal — equal parts exciting, nerve-wracking, and financially terrifying. Between inspections, appraisals, and trying to figure out if your couch will fit in the new living room, there’s one thing you cannot afford to overlook: the HVAC system. In Houston, where air conditioning is basically a life-support system, ignoring the HVAC is like buying a car without asking if the engine works.

Fall in Houston is… unpredictable. One day it’s sweater weather, the next you’re wondering why you ever put the shorts away. We get 50° mornings and 85° afternoons, sometimes in the same 24 hours. And while that’s mildly amusing when you’re trying to pick an outfit, it’s not funny when your HVAC system decides it’s not up for the challenge. That’s why fall is the perfect time to give your system some TLC. Here’s your ultimate fall HVAC maintenance checklist — Houston style.