When your furnace stops working or can't maintain proper temperature when you need it most, it can be unpleasant and perhaps dangerous to weather the cold without doing anything to stay warm. If you have a medical condition that makes you especially vulnerable to the cold, consider getting a hotel room until the furnace is working again. Otherwise, take these four actions to stay warm and get your HVAC system functioning again.
Dress for It
As soon as you notice that your home is below its optimal temperature, put on a jacket, socks, shoes, and other warm clothing. This can prevent you from getting dangerously cold as you act to stay warm. Once you're dressed for the cold, you may want to check the furnace pilot light, circuit breakers, filters, and thermostat to see if you can locate the problem and correct it yourself. If you can't immediately see the issue, it's time to call in the experts.
Call for Help
Fixing a furnace usually requires special tools and expertise. Certain companies, like Hybrid Mechanical, know that the best heating and air conditioning companies offer emergency HVAC services. Technicians are usually available 24 hours a day to assess and correct problems that can't wait for a scheduled appointment. While companies sometimes have online forms and provide email addresses on their websites, it's usually best to call for emergency HVAC services. Not all companies offer after-hours help, so choose carefully.
Close Off Rooms
While you wait for the heating and air company, consider closing off unused rooms and putting towels under the doors to prevent heat loss. It's especially helpful to close off big rooms, rooms with large windows, and ones that are drafty. Settle into a small interior room, which may be warmer than rooms with exterior walls. Ideally, you should pick a comfortable room where you can cover with blankets or throws if necessary.
Use Supplemental Heat
If you must wait for replacement parts for your furnace or the system needs to be replaced, consider adding temporary supplemental heat from one or more space heaters. These devices can be dangerous and hard on your home's electrical wiring, but they provide a lot of heat when used safely and according to their directions. An electric blanket can also help at night. Never use your gas-powered oven or burners for heat because the risk of starting a fire is high.
It's frustrating when your home isn't at the right temperature, but you can mitigate the cold by dressing warmly, closing off unused rooms, and turning to space heaters and other devices when necessary. The most important thing to do is call for help getting your furnace running again so you can fully use your home no matter the weather.
