How to Prepare Your Trane HVAC for a Houston Winter: 5 Key Steps

In Southeast Texas, the shift from sweltering heat to mild chill can be swift. While Houston winters are generally gentle, the occasional freezing temperature or cold snap demands that your HVAC system be ready to switch seamlessly from cooling to heating.

Preparing your system now is not about a total shutdown; it’s about maximizing efficiency, maintaining safety, and ensuring your reliable Trane unit is ready for its season change. A well-maintained system runs more efficiently and is less likely to break down when you need it most.

Here are the five essential steps Houston-area homeowners should take to winterize their HVAC system.

1. Test Your Heating System Early

Don’t wait until the first cold night to discover your furnace or heat pump isn’t working correctly. You need time to schedule a technician without emergency fees.

• The Check: Set your thermostat to the “Heat” setting and raise the temperature about five degrees higher than the current room temperature.
• The Result: You should hear the system kick on and feel warm air beginning to flow within a few minutes. Furnaces often have a faint, dusty smell the first time they run after sitting all summer—this is normal. If you hear loud noises, smell gas, or no warm air appears, turn the system off and call a certified technician immediately.

2. Change or Clean the Air Filter

The single most important maintenance task a homeowner can perform is regularly inspecting the air filter. A dirty filter restricts airflow, forcing your furnace or heat pump to work harder, which spikes energy bills and stresses the unit.

• Action: Replace disposable filters or clean reusable ones.
• Benefit: A clean filter ensures maximum efficiency as your heating system begins its work, protecting both your unit and your indoor air quality throughout the winter months.

3. Inspect and Clear the Outdoor Unit

Your outdoor unit (the condenser or heat pump) needs a clear path to breathe, even when the weather turns cool.

• Clear Debris: Remove all leaves, grass clippings, weeds, and other debris from around the unit. The surrounding area should have at least two feet of clearance for optimal airflow.
• Check Drainage: Ensure the ground around the unit is level and drains properly to prevent standing water, which could freeze and damage the coils during a cold snap.
• A Note on Covers: In Houston, if you have a heat pump (which provides heat in the winter), do not cover the unit. A heat pump must remain uncovered to cycle air and draw heat from the outside environment. If you have an AC unit paired with a furnace, you may use a light-weight, breathable cover on the outdoor unit only after confirming the unit will not run in the winter.

4. Optimize Your Thermostat Settings

Program your thermostat to match your family’s winter routine for maximum energy savings.

• Change Modes: Ensure the system is set to “Heat” mode, not “Cool” or “Auto” (unless you have a sophisticated system managing the transition).
• Setbacks: Lower the temperature by 5-8 degrees when the house is empty or when you are sleeping. A smart or programmable thermostat can handle this automatically, saving money without sacrificing comfort. Trane smart thermostats make managing this transition easy, allowing you to control comfort from anywhere.

5. Schedule a Professional Trane Tune-Up

While the above steps are helpful, the most effective way to ensure longevity and efficiency is with an annual professional inspection.

A local Trane Comfort Specialist™ Dealer can perform a comprehensive, multi-point inspection to check for common winter problems, including:

• Measuring refrigerant levels and pressure.
• Testing the furnace burners for clean combustion and safety.
• Inspecting all electrical connections for wear.
• Lubricating moving parts to prevent friction damage.

A professional tune-up not only ensures safety by identifying potential carbon monoxide or gas leaks but also keeps your reliable Trane equipment running at peak performance, ready to handle whatever the Southeast Texas winter brings.

Our Dealer Locator tool makes it easy to find a trusted, local Trane Comfort Specialist™ to assess your needs and provide a no-pressure quote for a new, efficient system. Take the first step toward a more comfortable and cost-effective home with an AC replacement.