Guide
Freezes and furnace use near Leander, Texas
Winters are mild, then a hard freeze arrives and every furnace in town is asked to work at once.
The official freeze record
The National Weather Service says sub-freezing temperatures occur about 12 days a year at Camp Mabry in Austin and about 33 at Bergstrom, a colder low-lying site. Over 1991 to 2020 the average first freeze is December 1 and the average last freeze is February 15.
Source: NWS Austin climate summary.
Rare but serious
The summary notes that significant wintry precipitation affects the Austin area about once every two years. The most recent snowstorm it lists was February 14 and 15, 2021. The coldest low on record is minus 2, set on January 31, 1949.
What it means for a furnace
Systems that sit idle for most of the year can fail on the first cold morning. A pre-season cleaning and inspection helps, and a carbon monoxide alarm is a basic precaution when fuel-burning equipment runs.
See furnace cleaning and the CPSC guidance.
Ready to talk to an independent HVAC contractor?
Dial the number and say what the system is doing. The call connects you with an independent contractor who serves Leander and nearby towns.