My Furnace Went Out - Now What?

The last thing we expect to happen during winter is our furnace breaking down on us – but it happens! What should you do first? Are there any at-home tips to try while you wait for a technician? How can you prevent this from happening? Continue reading to learn how Air Tech of Humble suggests you approach this situation in your Humble, Texas home!

Troubleshoot Simple Issues

A furnace can shut down for a variety of reasons, but not all of them are serious! Several of them are simple and can be fixed without professional help. Here are a few common reasons why your heater might’ve shut off:

• Bumped Switch: Most furnaces have light switch-like switches located on their sides that turn the system on and off. Because most furnaces are located in garages or attics, they can easily be bumped by surrounding objects or even small animals. If this was the case, simply switch it back on and see if that solves the issue.
• Thermostat Not on “Heat” Mode: Some homeowners may remember to switch on their furnace but forget to switch their thermostats to “Heat”. Make sure to check if your thermostat simply wasn’t switched over.
• Tripped Circuit Breaker: If you’ve recently had a power outage, your breakers may have been tripped and turned off. Make sure the breaker is set to ON.
• Dirty Furnace Filters: All filters used in your HVAC system are important – not just those used for your cooling system! If you don’t remember the last time you changed your furnace filters, then this might be the reason why it shut off. Replace your filters using the appropriate sizing and positioning.  

Use Other Heat Sources to Keep Warm

If you aren’t able to fix the issue on your own, then you’ll need to contact a qualified professional on your own. In the meantime, you’ll also need to find ways to keep you and your family warm. Here are some heating alternatives:

• Fireplace: this is the perfect time to use your fireplace. Follow all safety precautions.
• Space heater: portable space heaters do well at warming an entire room in just a few minutes. Even if your heater hasn’t gone out, they’re good to have for emergencies like this.
• Insulate: close all blinds, curtains, windows. Also, close doors in rooms you aren’t using. Use blankets or towels beneath doors as well.
• Start cooking: Avoid using the stove as a space heater – this can cause a fire. Using it for intentional cooking, however, will warm up your kitchen for some time. And in these situations, you’ll need all the heat you can get!

How To Prevent Your Furnace From Going Out

The fact of the matter is – while there will always be the odd malfunction, most HVAC issues are preventable. Scheduling annual maintenance allows a technician to check your system for minor issues that may turn into bigger ones in the future.

If you have family members with weak immune systems, such as young children or the elderly, this makes annual maintenance especially important. A few freezing nights could be dangerous to these individuals, so you don’t want to take that chance! 

Contact The Pros

If your furnace goes out this winter, follow these steps and call Air Tech of Humble located in Humble, Texas. Our technicians have the experience and skill to help resolve any heating-related issue quickly and efficiently! Whether you’re looking for general furnace advice, repairs, or full replacements – we can help. Contact us today!