The best energy plan for your home
Last Updated: February 2, 2025
Texas Winter Storm Safety: What to Do Before, During, and After a Freeze
Winter can be brief in Texas, but hard freezes, ice, and prolonged cold do happen. This guide brings together practical steps Texas families and businesses can take to stay safe, protect property, and manage energy use when the temperature drops. We also link directly to official state resources from TDEM, TexasReady, PUC of Texas, ERCOT, and the U.S. EIA.
Quick Checklist
- Sign up for local alerts and NWS forecasts.
- Assemble a 3–5 day emergency kit: water (1 gal/person/day), non‑perishable food, meds, flashlights, batteries, blankets, and a battery or crank radio.
- Protect pipes: insulate exposed lines, drip indoor faucets on exterior walls, and know how to shut off water.
- Charge phones and external batteries; fuel vehicles.
- Set thermostats ~68°F; close fireplace dampers when not in use.
- Plan for medical devices and refrigerated meds during outages.
If the Power Goes Out
- Report the outage to your wires utility (not your retail provider). In most areas that’s Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP Texas, TNMP, or LP&L.
- Unplug sensitive electronics to prevent surges when power returns (PUC outage safety).
- Never run a generator indoors or in a garage; keep it outdoors, 20+ feet from doors/windows. Use a transfer switch to backfeed safely.
- Keep refrigerators/freezers closed (a full freezer keeps ~48 hours).
- Layer clothing and use blankets; avoid open‑flame heating indoors.
Before the Freeze
Home & Pipes
- Install foam pipe sleeves on outdoor/attic/crawlspace lines; wrap hose bibs.
- Open cabinet doors for sinks on exterior walls; allow a slow drip to reduce freezing risk.
- Locate and test your main water shutoff. For licensed help, see the Texas plumbing license search (TSBPE).
- Weather‑strip doors and windows; close fireplace dampers when not in use.
More winter home tips: Texas Department of Insurance.
HVAC & Energy
- Replace dirty filters; schedule a pre‑season checkup.
- Set programmable thermostats for comfort and savings (around 68°F when home, lower when sleeping or away).
- Space heaters: keep 3 feet from anything flammable; plug directly into a wall outlet; never use with extension cords.
- If you have a fireplace, stock dry wood and ensure the flue works properly.
During the Storm
Stay off icy roads when possible and follow local guidance. If you must drive, review winter driving tips and check road conditions at DriveTexas.org. Indoors, conserve heat by closing interior doors to unused rooms and placing towels at exterior door thresholds.
- Carbon monoxide safety: Install CO alarms; never use ovens or grills to heat your home. If a CO alarm sounds, move outdoors and call 911.
- Generator safety: Run outside, far from windows/doors; use a transfer switch for home circuits; allow equipment to cool before refueling.
- Frozen pipes: If a pipe bursts, shut water off immediately; photograph damage and contact your insurer. See TDI’s guidance.
Understanding Outages vs. Grid Conditions
Most winter outages happen when ice or tree limbs damage local power lines. Your local wires utility (TDSP) handles those repairs. Separately, ERCOT manages statewide grid reliability and may issue Weather Watches or Conservation Notices if demand is exceptionally high. Follow alerts from ERCOT News (Winter) and the PUC Storm page.
Background: EIA tracks winter energy use and prices in its Winter Fuels Outlook, while ERCOT posts seasonal readiness and operational updates.
After the Storm
- Check for water leaks, roof damage, and tripped breakers. Replace any fuel‑soaked rags or materials used for thawing.
- Power restored? Plug appliances back in gradually to avoid sudden surges.
- Document damage with photos/video. For insurance questions, see TDI’s winter claim tips.
Key Texas Resources
Note on energy usage & bills:
Cold snaps can increase electric and natural gas use. For market context, see the EIA’s Winter Fuels Outlook. You can also reduce peaks by shifting some usage to off‑peak hours where possible.