Madeira Heating & Air knows the importance of seasonal maintenance for your furnace. Along with all the other responsibilities that come with being a homeowner, sometimes it can easily slip your mind to schedule your furnaces’ seasonal tune-up and safety check. So if you haven’t already had your furnace checked, please do not hesitate to call us. With the weather still fluctuating, it is not too late! If you have already done this, you are already ahead of the game. However, we know that life happens, and it is always possible for a furnace to go out. This could be due to inclement weather, a power outage, or even something malfunctioning. If this ever happens to you for whatever reason, then you will want to be prepared. Keep reading below so you know what basic troubleshooting you can perform should your heat ever go out on you!
Did You Check for a Gas Leak?
First things first – safety! Upon identifying that your furnace isn’t functioning, you want to ensure a gas leak is not the culprit. A gas leak should always be the first thing you check. Suppose you suspect that a gas leak is the reason behind your HVAC issues, then you should call your gas company immediately to notify them of the problem. Be sure to gather everyone in your household, including all pets, go somewhere safe outside your residence, and wait for the all-clear before reentering your home.
Did You Troubleshoot Your Furnace?
Now that gas leak concerns are out of the way, you can move on to the next step of troubleshooting.
- Does your pilot light need to be relit? Perhaps it went out in the middle of the night. In that case, try relighting it and give it some time to see if your furnace starts working correctly again. If you don’t know how to do that, there should be manufacturer instructions on the side of your furnace.
- Check the electrical breaker. It is possible the furnace blew a fuse. This often happens in the middle of the night when homeowners are asleep or not at home. Simply turning the switch back to the on position should fix the issue if this is the case.
- Lastly, look at your thermostat to see if it responds, and the display is powering on. If the thermostat doesn’t seem to be working, replacing the batteries with a pair of fresh, new ones should resolve the issue for you!
When Should You Call a Professional?
If you’ve gone through the troubleshooting process above and your furnace is still not turning on, it is time to call in the professionals. While basic troubleshooting steps are always good to try on your own, we do not recommend trying anything further unless you are a licensed professional. Instead, call Madeira Heating & Air, and we will send out one of our NATE-certified technicians as soon as possible!
How Do We Keep Warm?
In the meantime, while you are waiting for the issue to be fixed. You may need to find a way to keep yourself and your family warm. Bundling everyone up in the coziest and warmest layers possible is always a great idea. But don’t forget about having a backup plan! If you have a wood-burning fireplace, it is good to keep an extra pile of firewood ready for emergency scenarios such as this. In addition, utilizing a portable heater and placing it in a central location where everyone can huddle together is a great way to enjoy each other’s company and stay as warm as possible! However, our experts advise against using a space heater, so use one at your discretion. Keep in mind that if it is not used carefully, it can be dangerous for any homeowner, regardless of the situation.
Hopefully, this has proven informative to you. We want the best for you, your home, and your family. So stay ahead of the game with your furnace upkeep and remember to have a backup plan ready should things suddenly go awry with your furnace. At Madeira Heating & Air, we are open 24/7, 365 days a year! If you have any questions about your HVAC system or need to schedule an appointment, we feel honored to serve you. You can reach us at (513) 655-5125 or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
