What to Do if Your Furnace Breaks During the Winter

There are several issues, both minor and major, that can cause your furnace to stop working, but being caught in the heart of the winter season without heat is a fate that no homeowner wants to face. Whether your heating system needs a simple tune-up or large-scale furnace repairs in Oklahoma City, OK, here are a couple of things that you can check on before you call on the help of a professional HVAC service:

• Check gas lines: If your furnace has stopped working, the first thing you will want to do is make sure that your family remains safe. Check lines for any gas or exhaust leaks, and monitor the levels on your carbon monoxide detector. If you do notice any leaks or you can smell gas in the air, call your gas company right away, as this could create a hazardous situation for everyone in the home. If there are no leaks or odors, double check to make sure that the valve located near the gas meter has been reopened if it was closed when your furnace was turned off for the summer.
• Reset the breaker: Your furnace troubles could be directly related to an electrical issue, even when there is still power in the rest of your home. In many cases, the furnace is on a different circuit than the rest of the electricity, and your furnace could trip the circuit without detection until the home becomes noticeably colder.
• Relight the pilot light: If your furnace is located in a drafty area, it is possible that your heat has stopped working because the pilot light has gone out. If this is the case, turn off the gas and wait 10 minutes, then follow the instructions on the furnace to relight the pilot light. Newer furnaces utilize pilot ignition switches, which operate similarly but are reset with a switch instead of an actual flame. If you are uncomfortable relighting the pilot light yourself, you can always call in a professional to ensure the job is done safely and correctly.
• Look for blocked lines: Fall leaves and heavy rain or snow could also cause your furnace to stop working. If the external intake or outtake pipes have been clogged with mud, branches or other debris, the operation of your furnace could be shut down altogether.

While these are relatively simple steps that you may be able to take on your own, it is always best to consult with a professional if you don’t feel completely comfortable performing any of the tasks yourself. To ensure that your family stays warm all winter long, contact the team at Dailey Heating & Air Conditioning. We understand how important it is for your heating system to work effectively when you need it most, which is why our dedicated team has been pleased to provide high-quality furnace repairs in the area for more than 20 years. For professional furnace repairs in Oklahoma, City, OK that you can trust, give us a call right away.

Categorised in: Furnace Repair

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