Winter is Coming: Expert Strategies to Control Heating Costs and Energy Use in Texas
8 min read
By PowerAlert Team
If you live in Texas, you are conditioned to fear August. We spend our springs dreading the triple-digit heat waves and our autumns celebrating the first day the temperature drops below 80 degrees. Because of this, the vast majority of Texas homeowners focus their energy efficiency efforts strictly on air conditioning.
But there is a silent budget-killer lurking in the calendar: January.
While Texas winters are generally mild compared to the Midwest, they are volatile. As we learned from the historic freeze of February 2021 (Winter Storm Uri), the Texas power grid and our homes are often ill-equipped for sustained freezing temperatures. But even without a historic storm, a standard cold snap can cause your energy bill to rival your peak summer costs.
Why? because heating a home, especially one with poor insulation or an inefficient system is energy intensive. As we approach the colder months, it is time to shift our strategy from keeping cool to staying warm without burning through our savings.
To control your costs, you first have to understand the mechanics of the grid and your home. In the summer, the temperature differential (Delta T) is usually about 25 degrees (75°F inside vs. 100°F outside).
In a sharp Texas winter freeze, that differential can actually be higher. If it is 20°F outside and you want it to be 70°F inside, your HVAC system has to overcome a 50-degree difference.
Furthermore, Texas homes are often built to release heat, not trap it. High ceilings, large windows, and slab foundations are great for shedding summer heat but act as thermal bridges that suck warmth out of your home in the winter.
The biggest culprit for shocked homeowners is the Auxiliary (AUX) or Emergency Heat setting on their thermostat. Most Texas homes utilize electric heat pumps. When the temperature drops below freezing, standard heat pumps struggle to pull warmth from the outside air. To compensate, the system engages "heat strips"—essentially giant electric toasters inside your air ducts.These resistance coils are 100% efficient at turning electricity into heat, but they are incredibly expensive to run compared to the heat pump compressor. If your thermostat isn't configured correctly, you might be running these coils all winter long without knowing it.
Your strategy for lowering costs depends entirely on what equipment is sitting in your attic or closet. Let’s compare the efficiency profiles of the three most common heating sources in Texas.
How it works: It doesn't generate heat; it moves it. Even in 40°F weather, there is heat energy in the air. The pump extracts that heat and moves it inside.
Efficiency: Extremely high. For every 1 kWh of electricity used, it can move 3 to 4 kWh of heat energy.
The Winter Risk: As mentioned above, when temps drop below the "balance point" (usually around 30-35°F for older units), the system relies on backup electric resistance strips.
The Strategy: Invest in a Cold Climate Heat Pump if you are replacing your unit. Modern inverter-driven systems can maintain efficiency down to 5°F without using expensive backup heat.
How it works: Electricity passes through a conductive coil, getting hot. This is common in older apartments or as the backup for heat pumps.
Efficiency: 1.0 COP (Coefficient of Performance). You put one unit of energy in, you get one unit of heat out.
The Cost: This is the most expensive way to heat a home. It can cost 2-3 times more than a heat pump to deliver the same comfort.
The Strategy: If this is your primary heat source, your only defense is insulation. You must seal the "envelope" of your home to keep that expensive heat inside.
How it works: Burning natural gas to heat a heat exchanger.
Efficiency: Modern furnaces are 80% to 98% efficient.
The Cost: Historically, gas has been cheaper than electricity for heating. However, gas prices fluctuate globally.
The Strategy: Regular maintenance is key. A dirty burner or cracked heat exchanger reduces efficiency and poses safety risks (carbon monoxide).
You can have the most advanced HVAC system in the world, but if your house leaks, you are paying to heat the neighbourhood. In the tech world, we call this "hardware optimisation."
In Texas, insulation settles. If your home is more than 15 years old, your attic insulation has likely compressed, reducing its R-value (thermal resistance).
Electrical outlets on exterior walls: These are notorious for drafting cold air.
Door thresholds: If you see a blue streak on the camera, your weather stripping has failed.
Attic hatches: Often completely uninsulated, acting as a chimney sucking heat out of your hallway.
Actionable Tip: Buy a pack of foam gaskets for your outlets and a tube of silicone caulk. Sealing these air leaks costs less than $20 but can save 10% on your heating bill.
This is where technology truly shines. Smart thermostats (Ecobee, Nest, Honeywell T9) are not just convenient; they are essential for winter efficiency—but only if you program them correctly.
Neglected equipment works harder and consumes more energy. Before the first freeze, perform this checklist:
Change the Filter: This is non-negotiable. A clogged filter restricts airflow. Your system has to run longer to satisfy the thermostat, and restricted airflow can cause heat exchangers to overheat and crack.
Clean the Outdoor Unit: Even in winter, your heat pump needs to breathe. Ensure leaves, grass clippings, and debris are cleared away from the outdoor compressor.
Reverse Your Ceiling Fans: There is a switch on the side of your fan motor. Flip it so the fan spins clockwise at a low speed. Why? Heat rises. A clockwise fan creates an updraft that gently pushes the warm air trapped at the ceiling down the walls and back to the living level without creating a wind-chill effect.
Winter energy bills in Texas don't have to be a mystery. They are the result of physics and math: the efficiency of your equipment multiplied by the quality of your insulation and the intelligence of your usage.
We cannot control the price per kilowatt-hour or the global price of natural gas. We cannot control when the next polar vortex will dip into the Panhandle. However, we can control our home's thermal envelope and how we utilize technology.
Check your system type: Know if you have a heat pump or gas.
Audit your insulation: Look for drafts and low attic levels.
Optimize your Smart Thermostat: Turn off aggressive setbacks if you have a heat pump.
Schedule maintenance: Get a pro to check your system before December.
Don't wait for the first freeze warning to think about your heating system. By taking these steps now, you ensure that when winter comes, your home remains a cozy, cost-effective sanctuary.
