When ERCOT Fails and Temperatures Plummet: Your Heating System Emergency Preparedness Guide for San Antonio

The February 2021 Texas freeze served as a sobering reminder that the Texas power grid was four minutes and 37 seconds away from complete failure when partial grid shutdowns were implemented, and at least 246 people died due to the power crises, many from hypothermia. As San Antonio residents, understanding how to prepare for similar grid failures during unexpected freeze events isn’t just smart planning—it’s potentially life-saving preparation.

Understanding ERCOT’s Vulnerability During Winter Weather

The Texas grid operator’s meteorologist said the state could face a sudden winter freeze this season that would put the electric grid at significant risk of emergency conditions and forced power outages, with even a shorter span of extreme cold putting grid outages at a 50% probability. A common heating system in the state is an electric resistance furnace that runs on grid power, and while those units do not run on gas, they are less efficient than newer heat pumps and tend to dramatically raise demand during a deep freeze.

The challenge becomes more complex when you consider that home heating systems, including common natural gas-powered furnaces, require electricity to run, so even residents that may have been lucky enough to have gas supply could not heat their homes during power outages.

Essential Heating System Emergency Preparedness Steps

Before the Freeze Hits

Professional HVAC maintenance is your first line of defense. Many local companies offer furnace tune-up specials ahead of the season to make sure your system is running smoothly and safely. This preparation becomes critical when you realize that the riskiest period for the grid is between 7 and 8 a.m., when solar energy generation has yet to come online but Texans are cranking up heaters as they start their days.

Consider these proactive measures:

Schedule professional heating system inspection and maintenance
Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backup
Insulate exposed pipes and seal exterior vents
Set the highest temperature in your home if you’ve received a power outage warning—the hotter, the longer it’ll take to cool down

Emergency Heating Alternatives

When your primary heating system fails due to power outages, safe alternatives become essential. Since blower motors on a central heating system won’t work during a power outage, an indoor space heater connected to the home gas system is an option, and a portable generator can provide electric heat on a limited basis, but the generator should be operated outdoors and fueled regularly.

Remember these critical safety guidelines:

Never use a gas stove or oven to heat your home as these can release dangerous carbon monoxide
Keep portable generators outside, away from windows, at least 20 feet from your home to prevent carbon monoxide buildup
If you use a portable heater, make sure it’s indoor-safe as some can cause a deadly carbon monoxide buildup

Heat Conservation Strategies During Grid Failures

The first and most important step to staying warm during a power outage can be summed up in one word: conservation, as a blast of cold can quickly drop the temp 5 to 10 degrees with no easy way to get that heat back.

Implement these heat retention techniques:

Roll up a towel and place it on the base of exterior doors
Unless south-facing windows bring in a little heat if it’s sunny, keep the curtains closed to reduce heat loss through the windows
Move all family activities into one room and keep interior doors shut to retain some of the room’s heat
Put on additional clothing layers, gloves, and a hat

Professional Heating Repair Services: Your Lifeline During Emergencies

When heating emergencies strike, having a trusted professional service becomes invaluable. Texas Air Repair, a company that started when founders recognized that Bexar County, TX needed HVAC services built on family values: reliability, integrity, and genuine care, understands the critical nature of heating failures during extreme weather events.

With over thirty years of experience providing heating and cooling services across San Antonio, Houston, and Austin, the company has built its reputation on honest service, fair pricing, and getting the job done right the first time, earning the trust of homeowners and businesses alike, from emergency AC repairs to full system installations.

When you need reliable heating repair san antonio services during an emergency, round-the-clock service when your system fails during critical weather conditions becomes essential. Most air conditioning and heating repairs are completed on the first service call, saving you time—a crucial advantage when temperatures drop unexpectedly.

Emergency Supply Checklist

Beyond heating system preparation, maintain these emergency supplies:

Heavy-duty blankets and insulated sleeping bags designed for cold weather, as layering these can help trap body heat, and emergency mylar blankets are compact, affordable, and incredibly effective at reflecting heat
Battery-powered flashlights and lanterns
Non-perishable food and water supplies
Fill bathtubs with water during winter storms to have non-drinking water for flushing toilets or cleaning
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio for emergency updates

Protecting Your Home’s Systems

Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures can damage home plumbing, causing broken pipes and water damage. Take these preventive steps:

Let faucets drip slightly to keep water moving through pipes, reducing the risk of freezing, and open cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around pipes
Know how to shut off your main water valve to minimize damage if pipes burst
Use foam insulation tubes available at most hardware stores to wrap exposed pipes in attics, basements, and other vulnerable areas

Building Community Resilience

Reach out to elderly or medically vulnerable neighbors as they may need assistance with staying warm or accessing essentials, and share resources and information to ensure everyone stays safe and comfortable. Create a neighborhood contact list to check on elderly or vulnerable neighbors during emergencies.

The Path Forward

While the Texas grid is in better shape than it was during the 2021 deep freeze, improved enforcement of weatherization standards, incentives for thermal power plant development and enhanced demand-response programs would help ensure continued reliability, the reality is that unexpected freeze events will continue to challenge our power infrastructure.

Being prepared isn’t just about having supplies—it’s about peace of mind, and with your winter emergency kit ready, you can face power outages with confidence, knowing you have what you need to stay safe and comfortable until the lights come back on.

By combining professional heating system maintenance, emergency preparedness planning, and reliable repair services when needed, San Antonio residents can weather the next unexpected freeze with greater confidence and safety. Remember: preparation today prevents crisis tomorrow.