Losing heat on a cold night is stressful. These steps can help you stay safe and decide what to do next.
1. If you smell gas, leave first
If you smell gas or a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, leave the home immediately and call your gas utility or 911 from outside. Do not use switches or flames.
2. Do the simple checks
- Make sure the thermostat is set to heat and above the room temperature.
- Check that the furnace has power and the breaker has not tripped.
- Check that the filter is not badly clogged.
- Make sure outdoor vents and pipes are not blocked by snow or ice.
3. Stay warm
Close doors to unused rooms, dress in layers and use blankets. Never use a barbecue, camp stove or oven to heat your home.
4. Protect your pipes
If the heat could be out for a long time in very cold weather, keep indoor temperatures as warm as you can and watch for frozen pipes.
5. Call for help
If the checks do not solve it, call us any hour. Emergencies fall under Plan 1, Rapid Response, with a response within 4 to 6 hours and an additional $50 emergency fee. Parts are not included and are only charged after you approve them.
After the heat is back
Make a note of what happened and when. If the problem was fixed with a simple reset, it is still worth having the system inspected, because it may happen again. Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms work.
Prevent it next winter
Book a tune-up in the fall, change your filter regularly and keep outdoor vents clear. Maintenance helps catch small problems before they leave you without heat.
Need help?
Fast Heating and Cooling Systems Inc. serves Milton, the GTA and beyond, 24/7. Call 289-335-1800 or request a quote.