As we warm up to spring, we’ve learned that we cannot so easily say goodbye to the winter. Much as we’re experiencing this weekend, we can expect the occasional cold front to blow through our side of town and send us into a tizzy–but what happens if the heat goes out? What’s the best mode of action, and how can you solve this problem?
There are a few things that you should and can do in the event that the heat goes out whenever you need it most. It’s definitely not the most fun experience, but you’ll be glad to know that there are some things you can do to help remedy the situation.
What should I do?
If you suspect that you’re heat is dying out, follow these steps to help address this issue as soon as possible.
Shut off the gas. If you have a gas furnace, it’s important to go ahead and turn off the gas if you’re suspecting that the heat isn’t functioning. This is because many gas heaters can fail due to gas leaks or malfunctions, both of which can cause serious damage to your health if left to leak out into the home. This can also start a fire. To turn off the gas, locate the main gas valve where you will find a lever closeby to use to shut off the gas.
Give it a once over. Many times, problems with the heater can be easily addressed by the homeowner and don’t need a trained tech. Some of these can include:
Power outage. Sometimes, especially during the day, you may not even notice that the power’s gone out. If your heater has stopped working, make sure to flip some switches to make sure that the power is still on, or if the heater’s not working because everything has lost power.
Tripped breaker. Check the breaker to see if there’s an issue with the power, and try to restore power if you’ve concluded that this is the source of the problem.
Thermostat. Is your thermostat on, are the batteries low, or are they completely dead? If your thermostat is dead or is having issues, this can cause the heater to not work correctly because the thermostat is either dead or it isn’t reading the temperature correctly, thus not making the heat kick on.
Call a professional. If none of the above seems to be the problem, it’s important to call a technician immediately. You don’t want to live without heat when it’s cold outside, so it’s important to call as soon as you know that all the simple fixes aren’t going to solve the problem.
While you wait
Now that you’ve got a scheduled time with a tech, it’s important to take some steps to keep your home warm in the absence of the heater.
Use a portable heater or fireplace. Now is the time to whip out that space heater or fire up the fireplace–these options can help heat up a home easily and quickly. When choosing a space heater, it’s safest and easier to go with a simple electric option. While there are propane options, you need to make sure that these are safe for indoor use before firing up–if not indoors safe, you risk carbon monoxide poisoning.
Keep doors and windows shut. Obviously, if you’re trying to heat up the home when it’s cold out, you absolutely don’t want open windows or doors whisking away the heat you’ve been trying to build up!
Bundle up. Wearing warm clothes and socks is so important–emphasis on the socks! Layering can really help keep your body heat with you, so wearing some big comfy pjs, sweaters, and even layering your socks can make a huge difference. When in bed or on the couch, cover up with a few layers as well and you’ll be ultra cozy.
Eat warming foods. Eating warm foods like soups and beans can really make you feel a lot warmer than if you’re to mow down a salad when it's 60 degrees in your home. Eating warm foods and sipping warm drinks like tea or coffee can help raise and maintain your temperature to keep you more comfortable. Likewise, simmering a pot of soup on the stove or baking a slow bake cake in the oven can really help add some much-needed heat to the home.
Be safe
Temperatures can easily become unsafe, especially for pets, elderly people, and children. A common misconception is that you cannot experience hypothermia until temperatures reach below freezing–however, this isn’t the case.
Keep an eye on the thermostat as temperatures 50 and below can be seriously dangerous. If this is the case, seek out a hotel room instead. Temperatures in the 60s are also not hospitable for multiple days at a time and can cause health problems.
Call us
Need help with your heater? Interested in a consultation on your HVAC or heating system in your commercial office? Need an estimate, an installation, or simply a point in the right direction? Get in contact with one of our certified technicians today! Don’t hesitate in giving us a call here at Tri-Point Refrigeration. We’re happy to hear from you and are excited to help you along the way.
For a direct line to any of our employees ready on the line to help you, please call…(512) 651-4565 for our Austin, Texas community (806) 686-0050 for our Lubbock, Texas community. Or check out our website at https://www.tripointrefrigeration.com
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