Waking up to no heat in your house can be an unwelcome surprise, especially when it is freezing outside. Fortunately, you can get through this inconvenience by following the three steps outlined below.
#1: Do Some Basic Troubleshooting
If your furnace isn't coming on at all, you may be able to fix it yourself with a bit of troubleshooting. If you have a gas furnace, start by checking that the pilot light is on. Sometimes a pilot light can go out. For oil furnaces, verify that there is fuel in the tank and that the valve is delivering fuel to the burner plate. Most oil furnaces have a button you can press to check the valve.
Other common furnace issues that you can quickly address yourself are clogged filters, a flipped circuit breaker, and a flipped-off main shutoff switch (typically located on or near the furnace). If your furnace still isn't working after checking all of these items, it's time for step 2.
#2: Make the Repair Call
Scheduling a repair as soon as possible ensures you will stay warm. Often, HVAC services are swamped with calls during a cold snap, so making your call as soon as possible puts you at the top of the service list.
If your furnace breaks down on a weekend or holiday, you may need to assess the severity of the situation before you make the call. If temperatures are expected to be well below freezing and you don't have an alternate heat source in your home, then it may be worth it to call a 24-hour HVAC service. There will likely be an extra charge, but you won't have to go a day without heat. On the other hand, if temperatures aren't as severe or you have backup heat for at least part of the home, then you may be able to save some money by having your furnace serviced during regular business hours.
#3: Keep Warm While You Wait
Finally, you will need to both stay warm and protect your home from the dangers of extreme cold. Space heaters are one of the simplest ways to stay warm, but make sure to practice proper safety. This means that you should never leave a space heater running unattended. A fireplace can also be a source of heat as long as it is monitored and properly cleaned and vented. Dressing in layers, baking items in the oven, and staying reasonably active can also help you stay warm.
As for your home, protect pipes from freezing by either wrapping exposed pipes in electric heat tape or by opening cabinets to expose the pipes and having a space heater nearby. Opening the taps so that water drips also prevents freezing.
Contact an HVAC service in your area for more help if you are experiencing no heat from your furnace during a cold snap.
Share22 January 2020
I know it can be difficult to make yourself think about getting your furnace running when the skies are sunny and the temperatures are hovering around 90, but it is the best time for you to think about your heating system. Getting ahead of the winter preparation game will help to save on the cost of the repairs because the need for furnace maintenance is usually at a low during the fall season. This blog will show you what you can do to prepare your furnace for winter and when you should hire a professional HVAC technician to take care of it for you.