Houston winters are mild — most years see only a few weeks of genuinely cold temperatures — but cold fronts pushing lows into the 30s occur annually, and a furnace or heat strip failure during these periods requires prompt service. Most Houston homes use either a heat pump with electric heat strips or a gas air handler; traditional gas forced-air furnaces are less common than in northern cities. Licensed furnace and heating repair contractors in Houston diagnose heat strip failures, heat pump heating mode faults, gas valve issues, and blower motor problems. Texas requires HVAC contractors to hold a TDLR license. Repairs run $150–$400; system replacement averages $4,000–$12,000. Contractors here serve Houston and the metro including Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, Spring, and The Woodlands.