Waking up to an icy cold house with no heat may be the worst experience for a homeowner. When the furnace or heat pump seems to be dead, plan to act quickly to identify and make it easier to solve the problem. With these tips, you can find out what’s occurring and stay warm while waiting for a technician to arrive.
Common Heat Problems in Winter
A lot can go wrong with your heating, but only some of these issues will make the machine quit entirely. They include:
- Power outage: Furnaces need electric power to operate, even if they mostly use fuel to create heat.
- Tripped circuit breaker: If the circuit breaker keeps flipping off, you need expert assistance.
- Fuel access: When the fuel source is not connected, the furnace cannot generate heat.
- Mechanical problems: If one part of a furnace or heat pump is failing, it may shut down to prevent damage.
- Frozen condensate drain line: Burning fuel creates condensation, which can get blocked and stop the system if the drain freezes.
When the Heat Stops Working …
- Identify possible causes. To make the repair process a little easier, try to locate the source of the problem. If the power is out, you may just need to wait until it comes back. Check the circuit breaker panel. When only the heating equipment is not working, your technician will know just where to start.
- Request emergency heating repair. In midwinter, it won’t take long for the temperature to drop inside your home with no heat. Call for heating service as soon as you notice the problem. Logan A/C and Heat Services will aim to arrive as quickly as possible anytime day or night to fix your heating — but the less delay, the better.
- Use alternate heat sources carefully. If you have other sources of heat available, like an oven, you may be able to use them safely inside the home. Remember that anything running on fuel such as natural gas or propane needs ventilation to avoid releasing deadly carbon monoxide into the home. Only build fires in a well-maintained fireplace and remember to put out the fire before you leave.
- Preserve warmth in the home. Producing extra heat helps, but you want to keep that heat inside as long as possible. Avoid opening exterior doors as much as you can. Close blinds and curtains to block drafts. Stay near heat sources but allow space for airflow.
- Dress for comfort. Layers are great for staying warm outside, and they work indoors, too. Wear a hat, gloves, an extra sweater and thick socks to help keep your body warm and your extremities flexible. If you can, have a hot drink periodically to increase your comfort level.
- Protect your plumbing. When the temperature drops below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, you risk having a pipe freeze or burst. Open cabinet doors to allow remaining heat to surround the pipes. If you must wait hours for repair, consider running your faucets at a drip to keep the water flowing instead of freezing.
Losing your heat source completely could turn your winter wonderland into a frozen nightmare, but you have options. Call Logan A/C and Heat Services for quick repair that gets you back to the warm.
