Action to Take When Your Heat Goes Out
During the cold winter months, homeowners rely on their heating system to keep their family and home warm. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for heating systems to malfunction on occasion. When you experience a problem with your heat, it’s time to follow the actions below to get it fixed quickly.
Check That Your Power Is On
If you notice that your home is not getting warm, it may be because your power is out. Take a moment and check to see if your lights turn on. If your power is working, head to your electrical panel box. Locate the breaker for your furnace and see if it has been tripped.
It’s not uncommon for a breaker to trip, especially after a power outage. If so, turn the breaker to the “Off” position. Give it at least two minutes before flipping it back to the “On” position. This necessary pause will allow the internal components of your furnace to reset.
Look at Your Thermostat Settings
One reason that your heat may not be working is that you don’t have your thermostat set properly. Someone may have changed the setting or bumped the thermostat. Ensure that it’s on the “Heat” function and the room temperature is at least five degrees different than your set temperature. If your thermostat isn’t working, you may need to replace the batteries in it.
Check the Power Switch at the Furnace
If you have a fairly new furnace, it’s highly likely that it has a power switch attached to it. Take a look at the outside of your furnace and see if you can locate that switch. If the switch was accidentally bumped, it could have killed power to your furnace.
Look for a Pilot Light
Your furnace has a pilot light that should be running nonstop. For most units, you can easily locate the pilot light assembly and see the flame without having to remove any access panels. On some older units, you may need to remove a panel to gain access to the pilot light burner.
It’s not uncommon for the pilot light to go out from time to time if a breeze blows by it. If your pilot light is out, you’ll want to switch the knob at the assembly to the “Off” position. Give it at least a full minute before switching to the “Pilot” position. This will allow the fuel fumes to dissipate into the air.
If you have an older system that doesn’t have an electric starter, you may need to manually light the pilot. Once in the “Pilot” position, use a grill lighter or long match stick to light the burner. As you’re lighting the burner, you’ll need to hold down the reset button, which will be located near the pilot light assembly. If the flame takes, you’ll want to continue to hold down the pilot light until it becomes solid.
If not, turn the knob back to the “Off” position. You might clean off the sensor for the burner because it could just be blocked with debris. Also, check the fuel level in your supply tank to ensure that you didn’t accidentally run out. If you have fuel and cleaning the sensor didn’t work to get the pilot light relit, it’s time to call in a furnace professional to repair your system.
Heating Your Home While Waiting for a Professional
If your furnace isn’t working after you’ve tried everything above, you’re going to need to call in a professional for furnace repairs. Fortunately, there are some methods that you can use to keep your home adequately warm until your furnace is fixed.
If it’s daytime, make sure that all of your blinds and curtains are open. You want to let the natural sunlight pour into your home. Consider plugging in any space heaters that you have to provide warmth while you wait. If you have a fireplace, you should light a fire to stay warm. Another great tip is to put your oven to self-clean mode as it will remain constant at 500 degrees to provide some warmth for your home until your service professional arrives.
Reliable Heating Repair Service
Mullen Plumbing, Heating and Cooling provides reliable heating, cooling and indoor air quality repair, maintenance and installation for the entire region around South Charleston, WV. We can also take care of your ductwork, water heater, plumbing, drain cleaning, faucet installation and repair, toilet installation and repair, backflow prevention, water line, gas line and sewer line services. Call us today to get the help that you need with your home.
