Central Texas winters may be short, but when a cold front arrives, it arrives fast. Austin homeowners know all too well how temperatures can drop 30–40 degrees overnight, and the last thing you want is a furnace that won’t turn on when you need it most.

Preparing your home ahead of December’s sudden cold snaps helps keep your family warm, protect your HVAC system, and prevent expensive emergency repairs. Here’s your complete December HVAC checklist to make sure your Austin home is winter-ready.

1. Replace or Upgrade Your Furnace Filter

Your HVAC filter plays a major role in airflow, system efficiency, and indoor air quality. A dirty filter forces your furnace to work harder, which can cause overheating or shutdowns during high-demand winter days.

For Austin homeowners, replace your filter every 30–60 days, especially if you have pets or allergies.
For maximum winter performance, consider upgrading to a high-efficiency pleated filter.

2. Schedule a Winter Heater Tune-Up

A professional tune-up is one of the easiest ways to prevent breakdowns during December’s temperature swings. A technician can clean components, check safety controls, ensure proper airflow, and catch small issues before they turn into expensive repairs.

McCullough Heating & Air Conditioning offers comprehensive heating maintenance designed specifically for the Austin climate — giving you peace of mind all winter long.

3. Seal Air Leaks Around Windows and Doors

Drafts are a huge source of heat loss. Even small leaks around windows or exterior doors can force your furnace to run longer and increase your energy bill.

Simple fixes include:

• Weatherstripping
  
• Door sweeps
  
• Silicone caulking
  
• Window insulation film
  

Sealing drafts is an inexpensive way to immediately improve comfort and reduce wasted energy during cold spells.

4. Reverse Your Ceiling Fans

Many Austin homeowners forget this small trick. Switch your ceiling fans to the clockwise setting in winter.

This pushes warm air (which naturally rises) back down into the living space, reducing how often your furnace needs to run.

Even a subtle increase in circulated warm air can make a noticeable difference on chilly December mornings.

5. Test Your Furnace Before the Cold Arrives

Don’t wait until the first freezing night to turn on your heater. Testing your furnace early allows you to catch:

• Burning smells
  
• Strange noises
  
• Short cycling
  
• Blower issues
  
• Weak airflow
  

If something seems off, McCullough Heating & Air Conditioning can diagnose and fix the issue quickly, so you’re not left without heat during a cold snap.

6. Protect Your Outdoor HVAC Components

Austin may not see heavy snow, but freezing rain and ice can still damage outdoor heat pumps and HVAC parts. Before winter storms arrive:

• Clear leaves and debris
  
• Trim shrubs back 2–3 feet
  
• Make sure drainage is clear
  
• Cover outdoor faucets nearby
  

Keep the area around your outdoor unit open and clean so it can operate efficiently during cold weather.

7. Consider a Smart Thermostat for Efficient Heating

A smart thermostat can automatically adjust heating schedules based on weather patterns — perfect for Austin’s unpredictable cold fronts.

Benefits include:

• Lower energy bills
  
• More consistent comfort
  
• Remote temperature control
  
• Alerts if your home gets too cold
  

If you’re unsure which model is best for your home, the McCullough team can recommend and install the ideal system.

Prepare Your Austin Home for Winter With McCullough Heating & Air Conditioning

Whether it’s a simple tune-up or emergency service during a cold snap, McCullough Heating & Air Conditioning has been keeping Austin homes warm for more than 50 years.

Our experienced team is here to help you stay comfortable, safe, and energy-efficient all winter long.

Call McCullough today at 512-280-0011 to schedule your winter heating service!