Ugh, there’s nothing worse than being all snuggled up during a crazy snowstorm, drinking hot chocolate and watching the snow fall…until your furnace suddenly stops working with a loud thud. One second you’re feeling all cozy, the next you’re freezing and your teeth won’t stop chattering. What started as a winter wonderland quickly turns into a frigid nightmare!
When Jack Frost tries taking over your house, you can’t just sit there and shiver. A broken furnace during a blizzard is seriously dangerous and needs to be fixed immediately before frostbite becomes an issue. You need to act fast to be able to prevent frozen pipes, unbearably cold temps, the risk of hypothermia, etc.
But don’t freak out! With some quick thinking and the right game plan, you can get that sweet heat flowing again before you’re reduced to a human icicle sculpture. In this guide, we’ll tell you what you need to know about how to handle this HVAC crisis. We’ll cover DIY quick fixes as well as knowing when to wave the white flag and call a repair guy.
Assess the Situation Quickly
Before anything else, take a deep breath and do a quick triage. Sometimes the solution is staring you right in the face – you just need to know what to look for.
Check the Thermostat Settings
First things first, is the thermostat even set to “heat”? Yes, it seems obvious. But you’d be surprised how many people forget to switch it over from cool mode and then act all shocked when the house feels like the Arctic tundra. While you’re at it, make sure it is actually turned on and the temperature is set higher than the current room temp.
Inspect the Circuit Breakers and Power Supply
Next up, head on over to your circuit breaker panel and ensure the switch that controls your furnace hasn’t tripped. Flickering lights or other electrical weirdness could mean the power supply got disrupted. Give it a firm flip if needed.
Review Recent Furnace Maintenance
Think back too – when was the last time you had any furnace maintenance done? If it’s been forever since you changed that air filter or had a tuneup, this could just be that HVAC gear’s way of throwing a temper tantrum. Sometimes a little preventative TLC is all it takes.
If you’ve checked all those boxes and the furnace still isn’t cooperating, it’s probably time to call in the pros. If it’s making any scary noises, smells funky, or seems to have an issue, don’t try to tough it out and risk making things worse. When in doubt, get an expert set of eyes on it ASAP before your home turns into an igloo.
Safety First: Immediate Precautions to Take
Look, we get it – you just want to get that furnace running again by any means necessary. But before you start messing around with complicated HVAC equipment, you need to make sure you’re not putting yourself or your home in danger. Safety has to be the top priority here.
If you notice any sketchy signs like a rotten egg stench or hissing sounds coming from the furnace, shut it off immediately. Those could indicate a natural gas leak, which is basically a potential bomb situation. We’re not being dramatic – gas leaks are no joke. If you suspect one, get everyone out of the house ASAP and call emergency services from outside. Don’t try to be a hero.
While you’re waiting for help to arrive (or even if there’s no gas issue), go into full-on survival mode. Layer up with ALL the warm clothes and blankets you can find. We’re talking ski pants, puffer coats, wool socks – the whole nine yards. You’ll also want to concentrate what little heat you have by sealing off any unused rooms. Close vents, shut doors, and hunker down together in the main living area.
Also, make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector on each level of your home. When furnaces malfunction, they can potentially leak this poisonous gas that you can’t see or smell. Those little alarms are the only way to detect dangerous CO levels before it’s too late.
Emergency Heat Sources You Can Use
So your furnace has decided to take an extended winter vacay? While waiting for the HVAC cavalry to arrive, you’ll need to get creative with some alternative heat sources so that you and your family won’t end up freezing. But we’re not talking about desperate measures like burning furniture or camping out in your oven (please don’t do that).
Space Heaters
Space heaters can be a total lifesaver when used properly. These portable devices can quickly warm up a room without too much fuss. Just make sure you follow all the safety rules – keep them on a flat surface at least 3 feet away from anything flammable like curtains, papers, or wine. And never, ever leave a space heater unattended while it’s running. Constant supervision is key.
Fireplace or Wood Stove
If you’re one of the lucky ones with an actual fireplace or wood stove, you can put it to work! Just make sure you open a window slightly for proper ventilation to avoid any smoke or carbon monoxide buildup indoors. And maybe invest in a fireplace grate to contain rogue sparks or embers.
Heated Blankets or Heating Pads
For a quick personal heat boost, plug-in heated blankets or pads can be a life-saver. Just don’t go falling asleep with them cranked to the max setting. Battery-operated versions are also clutch for some toasty moments without needing to be tethered to an outlet.
Hot Water
In a real pinch, embrace your inner pioneer and boil some water over the stove for a humid heat source. Just be careful of steam burns!
Conserve Heat While Waiting for Repairs
So you’ve got some makeshift heat sources going and the family is huddled up like a litter of freezing puppies. But those quick-fix solutions will only go so far if you’re letting all that precious warmth escape through drafty windows and doors. Time to batten down the hatches!
Seal Those Leaks
Take a little tour around your place and locate any drafty trouble spots. Yep, even the tiniest crack or gap can act like an open window, letting that hard-earned heat go right out the door. Grab some towels, blankets, or even pool noodles and stuff them along window sills and door frames to plug up those energy-sucking leaks. If you’ve got it, weatherstrip caulk or shrink film window insulation kits will really seal the deal.
Curtain Call
While you’re draft-proofing those windows, don’t underestimate the power of some heavy curtains. Thermal or insulated drapes can create an extra barrier against cold air infiltration. Just make sure to keep them closed as much as possible to block drafts and trap any available heat inside.
Rug It Up
If you’ve got hardwood, tile or laminate floors, those hard surfaces can act like a giant heat sink, absorbing warmth and leaving you feeling chilled. Toss down some plush area rugs to add an insulating layer between your feet and those cold floors. Bonus points if you can find a couple of those cushy bathroom rug sets to really cozy things up.
One Room Crew
Last but not least, consolidate your heating efforts by having the whole family camp out in just one main living space. Whether it’s the living room with a space heater or a bedroom, you’ll all stay way toastier by concentrating body heat instead of spreading it thin across the whole house. Just pile up all the blankets and snacks and make it a big ol’ slumber party until that furnace gets fixed!
Prepare for Overnight if Repairs Aren’t Immediate
Oof, if the furnace repair crew can’t get to you until morning, you’re in for one chilly night. But with some smart planning and a little resourcefulness, you can actually tough this out until the heat is back on.
Layer Up
Your first line of defense is going to be wearing all the clothes. I mean ALL of them – we’re talking long underwear, flannel PJs, fuzzy socks, beanies, the works. Looking like a pile of laundry has never been so en vogue. The goal is to trap every bit of body heat possible.
Sleeping Bag
Speaking of bedtime, ditch the regular sheets and blankets tonight in favor of an actual sleeping bag. Those portable cozy cocoons are designed to keep you toasty even in freezing temps thanks to their heat-trapping insulation. If you don’t have a proper sleeping bag, layer up with as many thick blankets as humanly possible on top of the bed.
Hot Water Bottle Rotations
You know those hot water bottles your grandma used to use? Yeah, those things are gonna be your new BFF until the furnace gets fixed. Just boil up some water and carefully fill up bottles, thermoses, or any leak-proof containers. Then you can rotate them under the covers, tucking them near your core or feet to get a nice little radiant heat pack going. Just be careful not to burn yourself – you may need oven mitts to safely swap them out.
What Not to Do During a Furnace Breakdown
When you’re freezing your buns off, it’s tempting to get a little creative and maybe bend some safety rules in the pursuit of warmth. But some of those improvised heating methods can be downright dangerous. Here are a few definite don’ts to avoid when your furnace craps out:
No Stove Huddling
As cozy as it might seem to curl up in front of that gas oven with the door open, resist the urge! Leaving a stove or oven on for heating is a major no-no. Not only is it a fire hazard, but it can also potentially leak carbon monoxide into your home if the appliance isn’t venting properly. Just step away from the kitchen range.
No Camping Indoors
While we’re on the subject of things that don’t belong inside – camp stoves, barbecue grills, and portable generators should never be used for indoor heating or power. These outdoor equipment items release toxic fumes like carbon monoxide that can quickly build up to dangerous levels in an enclosed space. Camping can wait for another day.
No Unsupervised Space Heaters
We already sang the praises of space heaters, but they do come with some important safety caveats. You absolutely cannot leave them running unattended, even overnight while you’re sleeping. Opt for safer heating pads or hot water bottles instead once you hit the hay. Space heaters need a dedicated sitter to avoid fire risks or electrical system overloads.
When it comes to alternative heating, it’s just not worth risking your family’s safety or burning your house down. Stick to the approved cold-weather hacks and hang tight for the pros to get your furnace working properly again.
Surviving the Snowpocalypse Without Central Heat
When your home’s heating system decides to bail during a snowstorm, a little resourcefulness can mean the difference between a cozy night in or a total freezefest. Whatever your cold weather survival tactic, don’t let a finicky furnace ruin the winter fun – whether you’re layering up with everything in your closet, getting cozy with some hot water bottles, or hunkering down in one heated room.
Follow these tips to safely ride out the cold snap until the BelRed HVAC heroes arrive to save the day. At the first sign of heating trouble, give us a call at (855) 345-6161 and we’ll get that furnace back to full force before you know it! Stay toasty, friends.
