It always seems to happen the same way. The first real cold front rolls into Central Texas, the temperature drops after dark, and the heater that worked fine last spring won’t kick on. If you’re in Killeen, Belton, Temple or Georgetown and your heat stops working at night or on the weekend, here’s what to do, in order, so you stay safe and warm until a technician can get there.

Step 1: Safety first

Before you touch anything, rule out the dangerous problems.

If you smell gas (a rotten-egg smell), don’t flip any switches, light anything, or try to restart the furnace. Get everyone out of the house and call your gas company’s emergency line or 911 from outside.
If your carbon monoxide alarm goes off, get everyone outside into fresh air and call 911. Don’t go back in until the fire department says it’s safe.
If you smell burning plastic or see smoke, turn the system off at the thermostat and the breaker, and call for help.

A faint dusty smell the first time you run the heat each fall is common. That’s dust burning off the heat exchanger or heat strips, and it should fade within a short time. If it doesn’t go away, or it smells like burning wires, turn the system off and call.

Step 2: Quick checks you can do yourself

A lot of “no heat” calls turn out to be something simple. None of these need tools.

Thermostat. Make sure it’s set to HEAT, not COOL or OFF, and set a few degrees above the current room temperature. If the screen is blank, replace the batteries.
Breakers. Check the breaker panel for the indoor unit (furnace or air handler) and, if you have a heat pump, the outdoor unit. If one tripped, reset it once. If it trips again, leave it off and call us.
Furnace switch. Most furnaces have a light-style switch on or near the unit. Make sure it wasn’t turned off by accident.
Furnace door. The panel on the front of the furnace has to be fully closed for the system to run. If it got bumped loose, the furnace won’t start.
Air filter. A filter that’s clogged after a long Texas summer can choke airflow and cause the system to shut itself off. Swap it for a clean one.
Condensate drain. Many high-efficiency furnaces shut off when the drain line or pan backs up. If you see standing water around the unit, that may be the cause.
Heat pump outdoor unit. If it’s buried in leaves or covered in heavy ice that won’t melt off, turn the system off and call. A light frost that clears on its own is normal.

Step 3: Stay warm safely while you wait

If you have a heat pump, switching the thermostat to EM HEAT or AUX can keep the house comfortable for now. It costs more to run, so it’s a stopgap, not a long-term fix. More on that in our FAQ: When to Use Emergency Heat on a Heat Pump.
Use space heaters only as directed by the manufacturer, keep them away from bedding and curtains, and never leave them running unattended.
Never use a gas oven, stovetop, or grill to heat your home. They can put carbon monoxide into the house.
Close doors to rooms you aren’t using and keep the warmth where your family is.

Step 4: Call the office nearest you

Our offices are open Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM. Limited after-hours slots are available, so call to check availability. If an after-hours slot isn’t open, we’ll get you on the schedule as soon as we can. You can also request service online any time and our team will follow up.

Killeen: (254) 526-5410, 3513 Florence Road, Killeen, TX 76542
Temple: (254) 598-2074, 6102 W Adams Ave #C, Temple, TX 76502
Georgetown: (512) 503-5407, 4887-2 Williams Dr, Suite 205, Georgetown, TX 78633

When you call, it helps to tell us what kind of system you have (gas furnace, heat pump, or electric), what you already checked, and anything you noticed, like a noise, a smell, ice, or a blinking light on the furnace.

What usually causes a sudden loss of heat

Once the simple stuff is ruled out, the cause is usually something a licensed technician needs to diagnose, such as:

A failed igniter or flame sensor on a gas furnace
A bad capacitor or contactor on a heat pump
A failed defrost control or a reversing valve that’s stuck
A refrigerant leak that’s left a heat pump undercharged
A blower motor that won’t start
A failed control board or safety switch

Our team handles heating, furnace and heat pump repair, including refrigerant leak repair, in Killeen, Belton, Temple, Georgetown and the surrounding area. We’ll tell you what we find and what we’d do about it. We sell service, not excuses.

Repair or replace?

If your system keeps letting you down, a new heat pump or furnace may make more sense than another repair. We install heat pumps, furnaces and ductless mini-splits, and we’ll give you an honest recommendation either way. Financing for new systems is available through Regions and Microf. Apply for Microf financing, or ask our team about options when you call.

The best fix is the one you never need

Most surprise breakdowns give small warning signs first. Every Cool Club maintenance plan includes two visits a year: one in fall (September, October or November) to get your heating ready, and one in spring (February, March or April) before cooling season. Visits are built around our 21 Point Precision Checkup and Cleaning, and members get 10% off parts (labor not included). Plans are tiered, with more benefits on higher tiers. Call today and ask about our Cool Club membership tiers. Learn about Cool Club maintenance.

There’s still time to get a fall visit in before the coldest weather arrives.

Honoring our heroes

We proudly support local military members and first responders with 10% off parts for repairs (labor not included) and 5% off full system replacements. This discount can’t be combined with Cool Club. Just let us know when you call.

Family-owned in Central Texas since 1988

Ellis Air Systems has served Central Texas families since 1988, and we’ve been Voted Best in Central Texas 2011–2026. See what our neighbors say in our Google reviews. Licensed: TACLB008510E, TACLA00071943C.

FAQ (for FAQ block / schema)

What should I do first if my heater stops working at night?
Check for safety problems first. If you smell gas or your carbon monoxide alarm sounds, get everyone outside and call 911 or your gas company. If not, check the thermostat setting and batteries, the breakers, the furnace switch and door, and the air filter.

Do you offer after-hours heating repair?
Limited after-hours slots are available. Call the office nearest you to check availability. Our offices are open Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM.

Is a burning smell normal when I first turn on my heater?
A faint dusty smell the first time you run the heat each season is common and should fade. A smell like burning plastic or wires, or smoke, is not normal. Turn the system off and call for service.

Can I use emergency heat if my heat pump stops working?
Yes. EM HEAT or AUX can keep you warm until a technician arrives, but it costs more to run, so it’s a temporary fix.

Is it safe to heat my home with a gas oven?
No. Using a gas oven, stovetop or grill for heat can put carbon monoxide into your home.

What areas do you serve for heating repair?
We repair furnaces and heat pumps in Killeen, Belton, Temple, Georgetown and the surrounding area.

Do you offer a military or first-responder discount?
Yes. Military members and first responders get 10% off parts for repairs (labor not included) and 5% off full system replacements. It can’t be combined with Cool Club.