You’re in the middle of the coldest week of winter and you wake up shaking in a pile of blankets in bed. The first thought to go through your head 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 set up furnace repair, but there are a handful of things you can check, as well as a handful of things you can do, to stay ahead of the game and have a plan for a situation 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 have a better chance at averting a chilly situation.
- Gather supplies. Find 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 warm while your furnace isn’t running. It may seem bothersome or unnecessary now, but it will be a relief when you need it most.
After You Suspect Your Furnace Quit Operating:
- 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 occurs, turn the breaker back on and you may be set. If the breaker is flipped and you have turned it back on but your furnace still isn’t operating, give us a call to set up an appointment for furnace repair.
- Layer on and get cozy. That load of supplies we recommended above will come in handy here. Layers can help you preserve body heat so you can stay cozy while waiting for your technician. Also, try to find something active to do to keep your blood pumping, as more activity can help keep you warm.
- Stay safe. Using something other than your furnace to heat your home can pose possible danger depending on the method you’re choosing. It’s important to remember to never choose heating methods developed for outdoor use – i.e. kerosene heaters, grills, or any other carbon monoxide producing methods. If you need to use another method, electric space heaters, fireplaces or wood stoves are your go-tos.
No one wants to deal with furnace repair in the middle of winter after their furnace has quit running, but the probability is real if you don’t take the correct steps. Give the pros at Tri City Fuel & Heating Co., Inc. a call at 803-265-4208 if you have any questions about these tips, the furnace repair services available or any other number of heating questions.