Been at this a long time. Our service crew alone has over 80 years of combined time fixing heaters in Central Texas. Harker Heights. Temple. Killeen. All over.

You learn a few things after eight decades of winters.

Texas cold isn’t like up north. It sneaks up. One afternoon you’re in shorts, next morning there’s ice on the windshield. That kind of weather beats up heating systems. Especially ones that sat unused since last March.

Here’s what we know still works in 2026. Simple stuff. Stuff that keeps money in your pocket.

Lesson 1: Test the dang heat before you actually need it

Every single year. First cold snap hits and our phones blow up. “It won’t kick on.” “It’s blowing cold air.” “Smells weird.”

Know why? Because nobody touched the thermostat since spring.

Dust settles on everything. Burners get gunked up. Little electrical gremlins move in. All that could’ve been caught in October when it was still nice out.

Just pick a mild day. Flip it to heat. Run it 20 minutes. Hear something funny? Smell something more than just dusty? Better to find out when repair schedules aren’t slammed.

Or even better-let us look at it before winter. We catch the small stuff.

Want fewer issues and lower bills? Read How Smart Thermostats Improve HVAC Performance and Reduce Your Bills.

 

Lesson 2: That Filter Matters Way More Than You Think

Look. We know every HVAC company yaps about filters. But there’s a reason. After 80 years of combined experience, dirty filters cause more calls than anything else.

Filter clogs up. Airflow drops. Furnace overheats and trips a safety. Now it’s 28 degrees outside and you’ve got no heat. All because of a $15 rectangle of fabric.

Texas cold snaps make it worse. System runs non-stop for three days straight. Filter that was fine in October is choked by November.

Set a phone reminder. First of the month, go look. Hold it up to the light. Can’t see light? Swap it. Pets in the house? Do it more often.

Lesson 3: Heat Pumps Are Different-And Texas Homes Need to Know This

Half the homes around here run heat pumps. Great for our weather. Cools in summer, heats in winter. Efficient.

But they act different when it’s really cold. And that trips people up.

When it’s 40 degrees out, a heat pump hums along cheap and happy. When it drops to 22? Different story. Outdoor unit freezes up. Has to run defrost cycles. Might blow cool air for a minute while it thaws. Normal.

When it’s that cold, sometimes you just gotta flip it to emergency heat. Yeah it costs more to run those electric strips. But you stay warm and the system isn’t killing itself.

Know what you’ve got. If you’re not sure if it’s working right, call somebody who’s been doing this a while.

Lesson 4: The Little Things Around the House Make a Big Difference

We see it all the time. Someone shoves a couch over a floor vent. Or closes vents in the spare bedroom thinking it’ll save money. It doesn’t. Just messes up the airflow.

Or there’s a draft under the back door you could slide a pencil through. That’s heat leaving. Cold coming in.

Five bucks of weatherstripping. A door sweep. Takes ten minutes. Makes a real difference.

And that Texas freeze tip? Open the cabinet doors under sinks when it’s gonna be real cold. Let’s warm house air get to pipes on outside walls. Saves you from busted pipes and a flooded kitchen.

Small stuff. Huge payoff.

Lesson 5: Sometimes the Old System Is Costing You More Than a New One

Nobody wants this conversation. That 18-year-old furnace still runs. Blows warm air. Why drop thousands on a new one?

Because it’s costing you every month.

A modern high-efficiency gas furnace runs maybe $40 to $80 a month in winter. Old clunker with a tired compressor? Could be double. Plus it breaks more. Parts are harder to find. That $800 repair you just paid? Could’ve gone toward something that’ll last 15 more years.

And there’s rebate money out there in 2026. Utility companies offer incentives. There’s even property tax breaks for efficiency upgrades on older homes. Money sitting on the table.

We’re not saying replace a perfectly fine unit. But if it’s old and the bills keep climbing? Do the math. And if you’re ready to explore what a new system would cost, check out our HVAC Sales & Installation options-we’ll give you straight numbers, no pressure.

Texas winters. Short but mean. When that cold front barrels down, you want the heat to work. No fuss.

We’ve been keeping folks warm in Harker Heights, Temple, Killeen, and all over Central Texas for a combined 80 years. We’re here 24/7 because heaters don’t care about business hours.

Give Lockey Heating and Air a call or request service online. We’ll make sure you’re ready