Noticing that your home isn't getting warm when it should be is frustrating. Before calling for furnace repairs, there are a few troubleshooting tricks that may get your heat to turn back on. Here is a helpful guide to dealing with a heat outage.

4 Tips When Your Heat Stops Working

1. Check Switches

When you first notice that you’re experiencing a heat outage, check that the power switch hasn’t been bumped off accidentally. Furnaces are either controlled by a wall-mounted box or a switch on the unit itself. Because it looks like a light switch, it’s easy for residents to turn it off accidentally.

Similarly, you can accidentally turn off the thermostat, as well. Also, if there was a recent power outage, the unit may have reset itself. Check that the thermostat is set to “heat” and that the fan is blowing.

2. Check Air Filter

If the furnace is a newer model, it may be equipped with an automatic shutoff. A clogged filter can overheat the unit, and the safety feature turns off the system to prevent damage and fires. Clogging can occur if you don’t change the filter regularly—about every two to three months.

3. Keep Warm

If you need furnace repair, have everyone in your home stay in one room and keep the doors shut. This helps increase and retain the body heat in the room, making everyone warmer. If you have young children, have them create a fort with pillows and blankets. Also, wear hats and gloves inside. Using a rolled towel at the base of the exterior doors can block any gaps that allow cold air to leak through.

4. Call for a Furnace Repair

Once you realize that your home isn’t warming up and you’ve already tried the troubleshooting tips above, contact a 24/7 HVAC service. A professional can check the system and perform any necessary furnace repairs.

If you experience a heating issue in your home, call H & N Plumbing, Heating & Electrical in Fennimore, WI. The certified team works 24/7 to service all emergencies, from boiler to furnace repair. The team also provides free estimates to ease homeowners’ stress. Call (888) 822-3258 to schedule an appointment, or visit the website to learn more about their services.