You’re in the middle of the most frigid week of winter and you wake up shaking in a pile of blankets in bed. The first thing you think is, “Why in the world has my furnace not kicked on?” Of course, you don’t want to leave yourself in a scenario like this where it feels like you’re doomed to suffer until morning to arrange furnace repair, but there are a handful of things you can take a look at, as well as a few things you can do, to stay ready and prepare for a scenario like this.
Before You Experience Problems:
- Furnace service. Chilly nights and furnace repair can’t always be avoided, but having annual furnace service completed can help you avoid a chilly predicament.
- Pull together supplies. Set aside some room in a closet, drawer or another handy area for blankets, a space heater, gloves, hats and any number of other accessories to keep you toasty while your furnace isn’t running. It may seem inconvenient or unnecessary now, but it will be a relief when you need it most.
After You Suspect Your Furnace Quit Working:
- Check the circuit breaker. There’s a chance that the breaker to your furnace could have been tripped by a power surge or for a different reason. If this is the case, switch the breaker back on and you may be set. If the breaker is tripped and you have flipped it back on but your furnace still isn’t working, give us a call to set up an appointment for furnace repair.
- Layer up and get cozy. That list of supplies we recommended above will come in handy here. Layers can help you keep your body heat so you can stay cozy while waiting for your technician. Also, try to find an activity to do to keep your blood pumping, as increased activity can help keep you comfortable.
- Stay safe. Utilizing something other than your furnace to heat your home can pose possible danger depending on the method you’re using. It’s important to remember to never utilize heating methods created for outdoor use – i.e. kerosene heaters, grills, or any other carbon monoxide producing methods. If you need to use a secondary method, electric space heaters, fireplaces or wood stoves are your best bets.
No one wants to have an encounter with furnace repair in the middle of winter after their furnace has stopped working, but the opportunity is real if you don’t take the right steps. Give the experts at Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning a call at 952-373-0377 if you have any questions about these tips, the furnace repair services available or any other number of heating questions.