Winter Is Coming. You Ready?

Winter Is Coming. You Ready?

In this article, we’re going to take a look at when winter hits the Lone Star State and how you can save on your energy bills during the colder months. So whether you’re a resident or just stopping through for a visit, you can know what to expect. 

Ready. Set. Shiver. 

According to weather forecasters and the almanac, winter starts four days before Christmas and lasts through the middle of March, with the coldest temps typically coming in January. There are exceptions to this rule, especially in the form of extreme events like Winter Storm Uri, which brought the power grid to its knees just before Valentine’s Day of 2021, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees below normal and outages that lasted for nearly a week.  

Is Climate Change to Blame?

While climate change is generally associated with warmer temperatures, leading to a rise in the number of predicted named storms to 17 to 25 (with 4 major hurricanes) for 2024, it can also contribute to colder weather. This is because the warm air rises, and if it collides with the colder air that forms over the arctic, it can bring heavy ice and freezing temperatures down to ground level in Texas. 

Where You Live in Texas Makes a Big Difference

So when will colder weather hit home? It depends on what part of Texas you live in – in some places it comes sooner, and later in others. 

Northern Texas: Winter starts in November, and you can expect snow. 

Central Texas: Winter starts in mid-December, and keeps things mild and dry. 

West Texas: Winter starts around December 21, windy and warm by comparison.

Southern Texas: Winter starts around December 21, with 60° days and rare freezes.

What You Can Do to Be Ready

Keep one eye on major storms via the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s Storm Prediction Center, and sign up for news alerts having to do with outages from the Electricity Reliability Council of Texas, at ercot.com/news.

But there are other steps you can take, too. We Texans are a fiercely independent lot, so it’s no surprise that many residents are willing to take matters into their own hands when it comes to prepping for the cold. 

It all starts with an emergency readiness kit. First, be sure you have drinking water stored in case your pipes freeze. Second, stock a pantry with ready to eat meals, ones that don’t need to be cooked to be enjoyed. Third, check that you’ve got spare batteries and backup charging capabilities for your mobile phones or other communication channels, so you can stay in touch with loved ones if an outage happens.   

There are other things you can do before cold weather comes to town. Use caulk around windows, doors, attic entries, and any other holes cut into the walls that lead outside. Being sure that your attic is well sealed is particularly important, since hot air rises and your attic could be cozy while the rest of your home is chilly. Also, check your insulation or have a professional do so for you, to make sure that it’s as effective as possible. 

At nights, pull your curtains closed to help keep warm air inside and turn your thermostat a bit higher, when the cost of energy is less (it goes up around 6 am). Night time is also the right time to do a load of dishes or laundry, or charge an electric vehicle, for the same reason. You can even invest in a programmable thermostat, which you can set to go up in the evenings and down in the mornings. 

Many Texas also want a gas-powered generator, to help keep them warm if the power goes out. Generators should always be at least 20 feet away from the house on a flat, stable surface and away from any flammable materials – so you’ll need to go out into the cold to power it on, but it’ll be worth it. 

Be Ready to Save Money, Too

No-bull energy plans will help you save. We’re Energy Texas, the no-bull energy company serving our great state. Not only do we bring you affordable all-renewable electricity and friendly, fast customer service, we make sure that your energy needs are met, no matter what the season. 

Visit PowertoChoose.org and answer a few quick questions to find a plan that fits your needs and your budget.