Winter Heating Safety Check: Prepare Your Central Texas Home

Central Texas winters are mild most of the time. We might go weeks without needing heat, and when we do, it's often just for a few hours in the morning. That's exactly why your heating system deserves attention before the first cold snap. In Austin and the surrounding area, furnaces and heat pumps sit idle for 8 or 9 months out of the year. When that first cold night arrives, problems that developed unnoticed suddenly surface. A heating safety check now can prevent a no-heat emergency later.

Winter Storm Uri in February 2021 showed how unprepared many Austin homes were. When temperatures dropped into the teens and stayed there for days, furnaces that hadn't run in months failed to ignite. Gas lines, pilot lights, and heat exchangers that had gone unchecked revealed cracks, blockages, and wear. Homeowners who had skipped fall maintenance found themselves waiting days for service while their families shivered. A simple heating safety check in the fall could have caught most of those issues before they became emergencies.

Why Heating Is Different in Central Texas

Your AC runs almost constantly from May through September. Your heating system, by contrast, may run only a handful of times between November and March. That infrequent use creates a unique risk: problems develop while the system sits idle. Dust accumulates. Seals dry out. Pilot lights go out. Gas connections can develop small leaks. Rodents sometimes nest in vent pipes during the off-season. None of this is obvious until you turn the heat on for the first time and something fails.

A heating safety check before winter gives you and your technician a chance to catch these issues when the weather is still mild and HVAC companies have availability. Once a cold snap hits, everyone calls at once. Scheduling a safety check in October or early November is one of the best things you can do for your home and your peace of mind.

Your Winter Heating Safety Checklist

A thorough heating safety check covers both safety and performance. Here's what should be included:

Carbon Monoxide Detector Testing and Placement

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas produced when fuel does not burn completely. Gas furnaces, water heaters, and fireplaces can produce CO if they malfunction. Every home with gas appliances should have working CO detectors on every level and near sleeping areas.

During a heating safety check, your technician can verify detector placement and confirm they are functioning. If you don't have CO detectors, install them before the first cold night. This is non-negotiable for gas-heated homes.

Heat Exchanger Inspection

The heat exchanger is the metal chamber inside your furnace where combustion occurs. Hot gases pass through it, and the metal transfers heat to the air that circulates through your ducts. A cracked heat exchanger can allow combustion gases, including CO, to mix with your indoor air. Cracks often develop over time from thermal stress and corrosion.

A qualified technician will inspect the heat exchanger for cracks, rust, or damage. If a crack is found, the furnace must be shut down until the heat exchanger is replaced or the furnace is replaced. Running a furnace with a cracked heat exchanger is a serious safety hazard.

Gas Line and Connection Inspection

For gas furnaces, all gas connections should be checked for leaks. A small leak that develops over the summer may go unnoticed until the furnace runs. Your technician will inspect the gas valve, supply line, and connections. If you ever smell gas, turn off the furnace at the thermostat, do not operate any switches or appliances, leave the home, and call your gas company or 911 from outside.

Flue and Vent Inspection

The flue or vent pipe carries combustion gases safely out of your home. If it's blocked by debris, a bird's nest, or corrosion, those gases can back up into the living space. Your technician will inspect the flue for blockages, proper slope, and secure connections. A blocked flue is another common cause of CO buildup.

Pilot Light and Ignition Check

Older furnaces use a standing pilot light. Newer units use electronic ignition. Either way, the ignition system must work reliably. A pilot that won't stay lit or an ignition system that fails to fire can leave you without heat. Your technician will verify the pilot or igniter is functioning and that the flame is the correct color. A blue flame is normal; a yellow or flickering flame can indicate a problem.

Electrical Connections

Loose or corroded electrical connections can cause intermittent operation, short cycling, or complete failure. Your technician will check connections at the furnace, thermostat, and any safety switches. Clean, tight connections ensure reliable operation when you need it most.

Pro Tip: Schedule your heating safety check in October or early November, before the first cold snap. Technicians are less busy, you get better availability, and any issues found can be repaired before you need heat. Waiting until December or January often means longer wait times and higher demand pricing.

Efficiency Tips for Winter

Beyond safety, a few habits can help your heating system run more efficiently and keep your home comfortable:

Thermostat programming. Set your thermostat lower when you're away or asleep. A programmable or smart thermostat can automate this. Dropping the temperature by 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours a day can save 5 to 15 percent on heating costs. In Central Texas, where heating loads are modest, that adds up over a mild winter.

Humidity management. Winter air is dry, and heating makes it drier. Low humidity makes the air feel colder than it is and can cause dry skin, static, and respiratory irritation. A whole-house humidifier or portable humidifier can improve comfort. Aim for 30 to 50 percent relative humidity. Too much humidity can cause condensation and mold, so don't over-humidify.

Seal drafts. Check around windows, doors, and electrical outlets. Weatherstripping and caulk are inexpensive and can significantly reduce heat loss. In older Austin homes, drafts are often the biggest source of discomfort and wasted energy.

Insulation check. Attic insulation is especially important. Heat rises, and a poorly insulated attic lets warmth escape. If your attic insulation is thin or compressed, adding more can improve comfort and reduce heating costs. Your technician can advise on insulation during a maintenance visit.

When to Call for Service

Some problems require professional attention right away. Call for service if you notice:

• The furnace won't ignite. If the thermostat is set to heat and the system doesn't respond, or it tries to start but shuts down, something is wrong. Don't keep trying; repeated failed start attempts can cause further damage.

• A burning smell. A brief odor when the system first runs after months of disuse can be normal (dust burning off). A persistent or strong burning smell is not. Turn the system off and call for service.

• A yellow pilot light. The pilot flame should be steady and blue. Yellow or orange indicates incomplete combustion and possible CO production. Shut the furnace down and call for service.

• Cold spots or uneven heating. If some rooms never get warm or the system runs constantly without reaching the set temperature, you may have a duct problem, undersized system, or failing component. A technician can diagnose.

• Higher-than-normal heating bills. If your bills spike without a corresponding change in thermostat settings or weather, the system may be losing efficiency. A tune-up or repair can often restore performance.

Emergency Heating Tips If Your System Fails

If your heating system fails during a cold snap and you're waiting for service, a few steps can help:

• Close off unused rooms and concentrate heat where you need it.
• Use extra blankets and layers rather than space heaters, which can be fire hazards if used improperly.
• If you use a space heater, keep it at least 3 feet from anything flammable, never leave it unattended, and plug it directly into a wall outlet (not an extension cord).
• Open cabinet doors under sinks to let warm air reach pipes and reduce freeze risk.
• Let faucets drip if temperatures are expected to stay below freezing for an extended period.

For long-term comfort and safety, schedule a heating safety check with a qualified technician. At CG Service Pros, our maintenance program includes fall heating inspections so you're ready when cold weather arrives.

Schedule Your Heating Safety Check

At CG Service Pros, we serve homeowners throughout Austin, Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville, and the surrounding Central Texas area. Our heating safety checks include carbon monoxide detector verification, heat exchanger inspection, gas line and flue checks, and ignition system testing. We'll give you a clear report on your system's condition and recommend any repairs before winter arrives.

Don't wait for the first cold night to discover your furnace has a problem. Schedule your heating safety check now and rest easy knowing your home is ready for whatever winter brings.

Schedule Your Heating Safety Check

Have questions or ready to schedule? Call us at (512) 766-5079 or visit our contact page to book your appointment.