It’s February, and we are right in the peak month of Ohio’s winter. We can almost smell the budding scents of the promised spring ahead of us. It’s in our view but not quite within our grasp. We have a few more months left of the season; could you imagine how uncomfortable it would be to have to be without heat for any duration of the season? Hopefully, it is just something that is only as real as your imagination allows, and it never becomes a reality for you. But alas! It is better to be safe than sorry, and it is always wise to be prepared for the worst-case scenario. Knowing what to do ahead of time should your furnace ever go out is something your experts at Centerville Heating & Cooling want to help you prepare for. If you ever find yourself in this sticky situation, ask yourself these four questions:
1. Do I Smell Gas?
Safety is always the number one concern. So if your furnace goes out, be sure to check for a gas leak immediately. While natural gas has no odor, a sulfuric compound is added for safety reasons. Should you smell something funky, everyone needs to exit the house right away. Call the gas company and wait until the professionals arrive. You can also consider getting a gas leak detector alarm for your home if you don’t have one already.
2. What Should I Troubleshoot First?
Once you have ruled out a potential gas leak, you should start ruling out the rest of the possible culprits for your malfunctioning furnace. First, check to see if the pilot light is still running. Maybe it needs to be relit. Perhaps the circuit breaker has tripped. Is the thermostat on and running correctly? It may not be powering due to needing fresh batteries. Is the heat mode turned on? If you find the problem lies within one of these issues, it may just be a simple fix that you can handle yourself. Then, after correcting the problem, you may be well on your way to feeling nice and toasty again.
3. What Other Heat Sources Can I Use in the Meantime?
Depending on when your furnace has broken down, you may have to wait a few hours. For example, if it stopped working in the middle of the night, you might find yourself waiting until the morning. If you have a fireplace or a wood stove, you could utilize these to keep warm. On the other hand, if you don’t have a fireplace, you can also bake a treat that takes a little time to cook, like a pie or a cake. Then you can gather everyone together and enjoy this sweet treat and bask in the warmth from the oven and comfort of being surrounded by loved ones. Just remember to turn the oven off when it is not in use; this is an extreme fire hazard!
4. When Should I Call a Service Professional?
If you have tried these tips & tricks and are still not getting heat from your furnace, it may be time to call in the big guns. Troubleshooting is one thing, but we do not recommend diagnosing and repairing the problem by yourself. Doing so can result in astronomical costs, not to mention it can cause safety issues. So please, do not hesitate to your local service professionals at Centerville Heating & Cooling.
Our NATE-certified technicians will work efficiently to resolve your issue as quickly as possible. You and your family’s safety is our top priority! We understand the importance of keeping your home heated this winter, especially if your furnace goes out. If you have not already done your seasonal maintenance on your furnace, we suggest doing so to prevent any issues in the future. We aim for five-star service every time. So let us show you what it means to experience excellent customer service. You can call Centerville Heating & Cooling today at (937) 353-1169, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
