A furnace breakdown in the middle of cold weather is not only inconvenient but can also be dangerous. Freezing temperatures can lead to health risks, plumbing issues, and discomfort for you and your family. While these breakdowns can lead to plummeting temperatures in your home, there are a few things you can do to address and potentially remedy it.
In this blog, we’ll discuss at-home repair options and what you can do if these repairs don’t help while waiting for your HVAC team to arrive.
1. Check Your Thermostat
While you might be concerned if you’re dealing with a furnace breakdown during cold weather, it is important that you start with the easiest fix. Before panicking, check your thermostat to ensure the system is set to “heat” and the temperature is higher than the current room temperature. Sometimes, your thermostat may have been turned off, or the batteries need replacing. Once this is adjusted, see if the furnace turns back on.
2. Check for Tripped Breaker
If your thermostat isn’t causing problems, focus on your furnace’s power source. Go to your circuit breaker and double-check that the breaker wasn’t tripped. If it wasn’t tripped, now is also a good time to try resetting the system. To reset it, flip the breaker for your furnace off, find the reset button, and reset the system. Once you’ve reset it, don’t forget to turn the breaker back on and wait for the system to turn on again.
3. Change Your Filter
While you reset the system, you might want to consider checking the system’s filters as well. If the filters are clogged, it may seem like a furnace breakdown, but it is a sign that the system has overheated. Swap out the old, clogged filters for new ones to see if that is the cause of the problem. Remember that your furnace’s filters should be changed once every one to three months to ensure your system is in good working condition and receiving proper airflow.
4. Check the Pilot Light
Finally, while near your furnace, check that the pilot light is lit. Sometimes, a draft or accumulation of debris may be responsible for this furnace breakdown. If the light is out, it is important that you follow your manufacturer’s instructions to relight it. Modern furnaces may have an electronic ignition system, which may malfunction. You should contact an HVAC professional for support if you have a modern furnace in your home.
5. Call a Technician to Treat Your Furnace Breakdown
If you’ve attempted all the repairs above and haven’t remedied the furnace breakdown, it might be time to call an HVAC professional for support. With their support, you can identify problems within the system that you may not otherwise be able to resolve on your own. They may also be able to perform repairs on the system more quickly than if you attempt to do it yourself, saving you from prolonging the chill in your home.
6. Seal Off Drafts
While you wait for the professionals to address your furnace breakdown, it is essential that you do everything in your power to keep your home warm. Check for drafts around your doors and windows. If you feel a draft around any of these, consider tucking towels or blankets against the cracks. You may also want to close doors to rooms that are generally colder than the rest of your home to better regulate the temperature.
7. Use a Space Heater
If you have access to a space heater, now is a good time to set it up. While you address your furnace breakdown, pick a room in your home to heat. In some cases, it may be best to set up the space heater in a living room that has plenty of space for all of your loved ones. You may, however, want to choose a smaller room to heat if your space heater isn’t capable of properly warming the space. If you have a gas fireplace, you may also have the option to set up in the room to stay warm.
8. Wear Plenty of Layers
Although a space heater and sealed drafts are a great way to stay warm while you treat your furnace breakdown, they might not be enough to keep you or your loved ones warm. To aid in keeping your family warm, make sure to wear plenty of layers. Wear thick socks, sweaters, hats, and gloves to stay warm. You can also huddle together under a blanket to ensure your family is warm.
9. Protect Your Pipes
After a furnace breakdown, your pipes are at a heightened risk of bursting, which is why it is essential that you take steps to protect them from freezing. Open your cabinet doors to allow any warmer air to circulate around them. You should also turn on the faucet to allow a few water drips to move through it while you wait for repairs. If you suspect a pipe is frozen, shut off your water supply and contact a plumber immediately to avoid water damage.
Protect Your Loved Ones from Cold Nights
If you are dealing with a furnace breakdown in the Idaho Falls area, turn to our team at Ridgeline Heating & Cooling for support. With over 50 years of combined experience, there is no furnace problem our team isn’t capable of addressing. Whether it’s a minor problem or you need to replace your older system with a newer, more reliable furnace, we can help you every step of the way. If you have tried remedying a furnace breakdown on your own to no avail, contact our team to schedule repairs and ensure your home is warm all winter long.