If your furnace breaks down this winter, it is important that you have a plan in place. Depending on when the breakdown occurs, it may take the furnace repair company hours or even days to get to the problem. Knowing what to do in case of a furnace breakdown this winter is critical to the safety of your family and your home.

According to the Experts

According to heating professionals and most manufacturers, your furnace should run without problems as long as it is well maintained for fifteen to twenty years. After the fifteen or twenty-year mark, most furnaces will need to be replaced (per Bill Howe). The key to avoiding winter breakdowns is maintenance.

Do This First

If your furnace goes out and you smell gas, get you and your family out of the house. Call a furnace repair company, the gas company, and report the situation. Stay out of the house until help arrives. Safety should always come first.

Check the Pilot Light

If your furnace goes out, call the furnace repair company, after you have checked your pilot light. If your pilot light has gone out, then that is the problem, and you can relight it yourself. If the pilot light is still on and still no heat, then you will need a professional to check things out.

Check The Circuit Breaker

Did the breaker trip for the furnace or the thermostat? Is your thermostat working? Does your thermostat need batteries? Sometimes, when a furnace breaks down, it is a very simple fix. Do some troubleshooting to see if the problem is easily fixed.

Have A Backup Heating Source

Invest in an electric heater, just in case of an emergency. An electric heater won't heat the whole house, but it can heat up a room in the house. Gather your family in that room to stay warm while you wait for the furnace repair company.

Call In a Professional ASAP

If you have done all the troubleshooting and your furnace is still not running, call a professional. Whether it is a weekend or a holiday, call the furnace repair company as soon as possible. The sooner you call, the sooner the heating professional will get to you. Help will be on the way quickly.