At a Glance:

• Simple, seasonal HVAC moves Dallas homeowners can take before and during this weekend’s hard cold front.

• What Houk techs wish every homeowner did before temps drop and snow or ice shows up in the forecast.

• When to DIY and when to schedule a heating check so your home actually feels as warm as your thermostat says.

Why this cold front will expose every weak spot in your system

North Texas is about to flip from “light jacket weather” to near‑freezing temps, gusty winds, and even a chance of snow flurries. When that happens, any small issues inside your heating system — airflow, filters, or thermostat setup — become painfully obvious.​

If your home already has:

• Rooms that never quite warm up

• A furnace that takes forever to “catch up”

• Hot and cold spots between floors

…this weekend’s cold front will amplify all of it.

Before the worst of the cold arrives, you still have time to check a few things yourself — and, if needed, line up a visit with Houk’s Dallas‑Fort Worth heating team so you are not troubleshooting in 20‑degree wind chill.​

Step one: give your heating system a clean breath of air

Clogged filters are the fastest way to make a winter cold snap feel worse inside your home. As your furnace or heat pump runs longer to fight the cold, a dirty filter chokes airflow and leaves supply vents blowing weak, lukewarm air.​

Before temps drop:

• Replace your air filter (or at least check it) and set a reminder for every 30–45 days during heavy use.

• If you are not sure what size or type you need, Houk’s techs can recommend options during a heating maintenance visit in DFW:
  https://houkac.com/service-areas/dallas-fort-worth/dfw-heating/​

If you prefer a deeper, AC‑side maintenance guide to bookmark for spring, Houk’s Air Conditioner Maintenance Checklist in Texas is a great companion resource:
https://houkac.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-air-conditioner-maintenance/​

Airflow checks: making sure every room feels the same

During a cold front with wind chills in the 20s, you will notice airflow issues quickly. Some rooms will feel drafty, others stuffy, and your thermostat may struggle to keep a steady temperature.​

Do a quick walkthrough before the cold hits:

• Open and clear all supply vents and returns — no furniture, rugs, or boxes blocking them.

• Lightly vacuum dust off grilles and returns to improve airflow.

• Pay attention to any rooms where the airflow feels weak; that is where duct issues or design quirks may be hiding.

If you already know you have chronic problem rooms, this is a good time to schedule a heating inspection with Houk’s Dallas‑Fort Worth team:
https://houkac.com/service-areas/dallas-fort-worth/​
They can check ductwork, balancing, and system sizing so the next cold snap does not bring the same frustration.

For readers outside DFW, Houk also serves Houston, Austin, and San Antonio with local heating pros:
https://houkac.com/service-areas/​

Thermostat strategy for a freezing weekend (and possible snow)

When an Arctic front rolls through, constant thermostat tinkering usually makes things worse. Instead of big swings, your system needs consistent, realistic targets it can hold without overworking.​

For this weekend’s cold snap:

• Aim for a steady setting in the upper 60s to around 70 while you are home, and only drop a couple degrees at night.

• Avoid “set it to 75 so it heats faster” — the system will heat at the same rate, but you increase run time and uneven room temps.

• If you have a smart thermostat, review your schedule for this weekend so it does not auto‑drop temperatures while you are actually home.

If your thermostat is older, inaccurate, or placed in a weird spot (like a drafty hallway), an upgrade can make a big difference before the next cold event. Houk’s team can help you choose and install a smart thermostat during a heating service visit in DFW:
https://houkac.com/service-areas/dallas-fort-worth/dfw-heating/​

For a deeper dive on thermostat choices and control, you can pair this with Houk’s broader temperature‑control and system education content on the blog hub:
https://houkac.com/about/blog/​

Cold‑weather safety: furnaces, flames, and weird smells

As heaters fire up harder this weekend, your senses become early warning systems.​

Pay attention to:

• Flame color on gas furnaces: a steady blue flame is a good sign; yellow or flickering flames need professional attention.

• Burning or electrical smells that do not clear after the first short “dust burn‑off” when the heat kicks on.

• Persistent musty or chemical odors from vents, which can signal moisture or air quality issues that get worse when the home is closed up tight.​

If you notice these, do not wait until the cold front is at its peak. Contact Houk’s Dallas‑Fort Worth heating services team:
https://houkac.com/service-areas/dallas-fort-worth/dfw-heating/​

When this cold front is your sign to plan an upgrade

Sometimes a cold event is the moment homeowners realize the system is simply too old, too inefficient, or too undersized to keep up.​

Signals it may be time to talk replacement instead of repeat repairs:

• The system is 15+ years old and has needed multiple repairs in the past few seasons.

• Certain rooms never reach the set temperature, no matter how often you tweak the thermostat.

• Energy bills spike every winter cold snap or summer heat wave.​

Houk’s blog “7 AC Replacement FAQs for Texas Homeowners” lays out how to think about replacement decisions and long‑term comfort:
https://houkac.com/7-faqs-every-homeowner-should-know-before-ac-replacement/​

When you are ready to explore a higher‑efficiency system, Houk’s Dallas‑Fort Worth service page is the best starting point for quotes and financing options:
https://houkac.com/service-areas/dallas-fort-worth/​

Our customers also ask (especially before a winter blast)

• How soon before a cold front should I schedule a furnace or heat pump tune‑up?

• Is it normal for my heater to run almost nonstop during freezing weather?

• What should I do if one room stays cold while the rest of the house is comfortable?

• How can I tell if my older furnace is still safe to run during heavy use?

• Can a smart thermostat really help during sudden temperature drops and snow?