Stay Warm Houston: 9 Heater Efficiency Tips

How to stay safe and cozy on Houston’s coldest days

Houston may be famous for humidity and sunshine, but a winter cold front can still drop temperatures to uncomfortably chilly levels. While it doesn’t typically freeze for long according to the historical record, Houston averages about 10 days at freezing or below, but cold snaps with multiple days of freezing temperatures do occur. When a blue norther comes calling, homeowners across Southwest Houston, Central Houston, and the Bay Area quickly feel the chill.

Whether you live in the Memorial Villages, Sugar Land, Greatwood, First Colony, Cross Creek Ranch, Cinco Ranch, Fulshear, Richmond, or Katy, knowing how to run your heater efficiently and safely can make all the difference.

Here are nine smart strategies to stay warm in Houston, protect your home, and get the most out of your heating system, especially on a cold day.

1. Resist the Urge to Close Vents or Shut Doors

It seems logical: why heat rooms you’re not using? But in reality, closing air registers or shutting off rooms works against heater efficiency. It should never be a long-term strategy for staying warm because it can wear out motors and electrical parts more quickly.

Your HVAC system is designed for balanced airflow. When you close vents and shut doors:

• Pressure builds in your ductwork
• Warm air struggles to circulate properly
• Your furnace or heat pump works harder
• Long-term strain can lead to unexpected repairs and uneven heating

To keep your system healthy and your home consistently warm, leave the vents open and let conditioned air flow freely, even to rooms you rarely use.

2. Close Curtains & Blinds at Night to Keep the Heat In

Windows are the biggest source of heat loss in most Houston homes during the winter. A simple fix? Close your curtains or blinds when temperatures dip, especially at night.

During the coldest nights, insulated curtains reduce heat escaping through glass, and blinds can help buffer drafts. Morning sunlight, on the other hand, can naturally warm the home. This is why you should open the curtains and blinds when the sun comes out.

Pro-Tip: If you feel cold air leaking around windows or exterior doors, inexpensive weatherstripping or caulk can make a noticeable difference.

3. Supplement with a Fireplace or Space Heater, Safely

If your living room has a gas or wood-burning fireplace, or if you use approved space heaters, these can take the burden off your furnace during unusually cold days or nights.

But safety comes first. For space heaters, position them at least 3 feet from fabrics or furniture. Plug them directly into the wall, never an extension cord. And, never leave a space heater unsupervised.

For fireplaces, make sure your wood-burning fireplace has been inspected and cleaned by a chimney sweep before using it. They check for proper ventilation and remove any flammable soot or creosote build-up.

Keep in mind that a supplemental heat source like a fireplace or space heater is best used to “boost” comfort in one area. It shouldn’t be considered a replacement for central heating, which has multiple fail-safes installed to ensure warm air is blowing during the winter.

Pro-Tip: Stay safe and do not use an oven to heat your home. For gas ovens, there’s a risk of carbon monoxide build-up, a poisonous and invisible gas. Plus you risk burns and fires from using an oven as a room heater. Simply don’t do it. It’s not worth the risk. The better way to go is to cook a meal in your kitchen and enjoy the extra warmth that often results.

4. Reverse Your Ceiling Fan to Push Warm Air Down

Warm air rises. But a quick flip of the switch can make your ceiling fan your winter ally. Set your fan to run clockwise on a low setting.  This gently pulls cool air upward and pushes warm air down the walls, keeping the room more comfortable without raising your thermostat.

Ceiling fans are especially helpful in homes with tall ceilings like those in parts of Cinco Ranch, Cross Creek Ranch, and the Memorial Villages.

5. Don’t Turn Off Your Heater When You Leave

In Houston, many homeowners wonder, “Should I just turn it off while I’m gone?” We don’t recommend that you turn your heater completely off. Here’s why:

Turning your heater completely off can:

• Allow indoor temperatures to drop too low
• Increase the risk of frozen pipes
• Force your system to run longer when you return, using much more energy and taking a long time to get to a comfortable temperature
• Lead to inconsistent humidity levels

A better approach: lower the thermostat by 3–5 degrees when away, but keep your heater running. Your home stays protected, and your furnace won’t have to battle a huge temperature swing later. For efficiency’s sake, it’s best to avoid large temperature fluctuations if you can.

Pro-Tip: Today’s smart thermostats make it possible to monitor the temperature in your home while you are away. You can bump it up, so it’s cozy when you arrive home.

6. Replace Your Air Filter More Often Than You Think

On the coldest weeks of winter, even if the winter doesn’t last long here in Houston, your heater carries a heavier workload. A dirty air filter, whether located in your heater’s cabinet or in your air return, restricts airflow and can be detrimental to the longevity of your central air and heating system.

For optimal heater efficiency:

• Replace 1″ filters every 30–60 days
• Replace 4″–5″ media filters every 3–6 months

Check more often if you have pets, allergies, or a larger household. Good airflow = better warmth and less strain on your unit.

Pro-Tip: Ask us if you’d like us to bring the right size air filter for you at your next maintenance visit. We can take care of this task for you and install thicker media filters that last much longer. Book a visit online.

7. Seal Drafts & Insulate Your Attic

Sealing cold drafts and getting blown-in attic insulation can make a noticeable difference in your comfort on the coldest days. Some types of insulation degrade over time, so it pays to check your attic insulation. Sealing your building envelope will ease the strain on your heater, saving you money in the long run.

Focus on:

• Door sweeps
• Attic insulation
• Weatherstripping around exterior doors
• Caulking around windows if needed
• Sealing gaps in the wall around plumbing

Small improvements add up to noticeable comfort in neighborhoods like Richmond, Katy, and Sugar Land when winter winds cross Houston’s coastal prairie.

Pro-Tip: If you’re not sure if you have enough insulation in your attic, we can help you figure it out on your next visit. Just ask.

8. Make Sure Your Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms Are Working

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are important safety devices every home should have. They should be installed on every floor and outside each sleeping area. They are especially important if you use a fireplace or have a heater according to the Houston Fire Department.

You can purchase a smoke/carbon monoxide detector separately or as combination unit that includes both. Check the back of the box, but generally, you’ll need to replace after every 5 or 10 years.

Pro-Tip: Change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors each time daylight saving time stops and starts in the fall and spring.

9. Schedule a Heater Tune-Up Before the Next Freeze

Preventative maintenance for your heater or furnace may not sound exciting, but it’s one of the top recommendations we have for staying warm in Houston. Because furnaces and heaters involve burning fuel or generating heat, testing the safety features and ventilation is critical.

A heater tune-up in the fall ensures:

• Safe furnace operation
• Proper ventilation and airflow
• Optimal efficiency
• Reduced risk of a heater breakdown

If you can’t remember the last time your heater was serviced, now is the perfect time to schedule that visit before the next cold front arrives.

Pro-Tip: Consider signing up for our HVAC maintenance plan we call our, “Set It and Forget It Assurance Plan.” You get two maintenance visits each year, one in the fall and one in the spring, along with priority service and a 10% discount on repairs.

Stay Warm, Stay Safe—And Let Us Help

Houston may not see long winters, but when temperatures drop, you deserve reliable heat for your castle. Whether you live in First Colony, Greatwood, Fulshear, Richmond, Katy, Memorial, or anywhere in West Houston, Castle A/C & Heating is standing by ready to help.

If your heater is struggling, running inefficiently, or due for its annual tune-up, give our team a call. We offer service fit for royalty, speedy heater repairs, and expert heater replacements to keep your family warm all season long.

Call Castle A/C & Heating today at (713) 667-7606 to schedule your heater tune-up or repair. We’re here when you need us to keep you and your home comfortable, no matter how cold it gets.

Photo credit: Canva.com / Vlada Karpovich