When temperatures drop and a cold front creeps in, your furnace will work harder to combat the temperature outside and keep your home heated. But what would happen if your furnace went out this winter? Would you be prepared for this worst-case scenario and know what to do should you find yourself stuck in this situation? Huber Heights Heating & Cooling knows you need to keep your family and home warm and safe. Therefore, we have compiled a list of tips & tricks for you to have a game plan just in case anything comes up.
4 Questions to Ask Yourself:
Do I Smell Gas?
Because you and your family’s safety is the most important thing, let’s rule out the possibility of a dangerous gas leak. If you suspect the reason for your malfunctioning furnace is due to a gas leak, have everyone in your household exit the home immediately. Take any pets with you, and call your gas company right away. Of course, you will want to wait for a professional to tell you it is safe to go back into the house before you reenter it.
What Do I Troubleshoot?
Before you pick up the phone to call an HVAC specialist, there are a few things you can check to make sure the fix is not as easy as a flip of the switch. Speaking of switches, you can first inspect the circuit breaker to confirm it hasn’t tripped. Next, make sure the furnace switch does not need to be flipped back into the on position. If it does, try turning it back on and see if your furnace starts working again. Next, check to see if the pilot light has gone out. It is possible that it only needs to be relit if your furnace is powering on but not blowing warm air. Thirdly, consider your thermostat. Check the thermostat settings to ensure it is still on “heat mode.” Perhaps the thermostat display is not lighting up? Try changing out the thermostat batteries for a fresh set of new ones.
When Do I Call in a Service Professional?
So when do you call in the big dogs? No one wants to jump the gun and contact a service professional before it is actually needed. We get that! And we don’t recommend doing so either before you have gone through the basic troubleshooting steps above. If you have gone through those steps and are still experiencing furnace issues, it is at this point that we suggest calling your local HVAC service professionals. While basic troubleshooting is a great option, we do not think it best to perform your furnace diagnosis and repairs on your own for safety reasons.
How Do We Stay Warm?
While waiting for your scheduled appointment, you may need to find additional ways to keep your home as warm as possible. To start, dress warmly and bundle up. Wear your comfiest clothes and add a few layers. Next, try to keep everyone in the house in one common area. Keeping everyone together is ideal due to body heat. You can close all the blinds and window treatments, and as an extra measure, you can provide an extra layer of insulation by hanging blankets or towels over them as well. Consider closing all unused bedroom and room doors. And if possible, refrain from opening any exterior door such as the front, back, and garage doors. Last of all, if your home has a fireplace, now would be the time to utilize it. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, keep some logs on hand for these situations.
Furnace disasters always happen at the most inconvenient times. And to be honest, there is never a time convenient to go without heat during a cold Ohio winter. Whether you’re a new customer or have been relying on us for years, all of our NATE-certified technicians treat everyone like family. Since our customers are family, we don’t hesitate to provide home comfort swiftly and efficiently. So if your find yourself without heat all of a sudden this winter, in need of an emergency heating repair, or need a furnace tune-up or maintenance check, Huber Heights Heating & Cooling has your back 24/7, 365 days a year! Call (937) 226-9675, or schedule an appointment online by clicking here now!
