December 19, 2022

Broken Heater in the Winter: A Guide on What to Do

During the winter, we rely heavily on our heating system to combat the cold outside and to keep our loved ones warm. However, should an issue arise with your heater that renders it broken, you’ll need to assess the situation to see how you can get your heat back on.

If the fix is easy and simple, you may be able to take care of it. However, if the issue seems more complicated, it may be best suited for heating and cooling experts.

Diagnosing the Issue

Often, problems with your heater or furnace can be resolved relatively easy. Whether someone bumped into the thermostat, the furnace was accidentally switched off, the pilot light went out, or if you blew a fuse on your electrical panel, the fixes are actually pretty simple to do on your own.

However, if the issue involves any type of dismantling, you may want to hold off until a professional heating expert can properly diagnose the problem. If you hear strange noises, weird smells, or repeated issues with your heater, contact an HVAC specialist right away.

Staying Warm In Your Home

If your heater isn’t functioning properly, you’ll want to do everything you can to ensure that your home is warm for your family. A broken heater can be problematic, especially when the temperatures are near freezing outside, so having a way to provide heat to your home is vital.

If you have a fireplace, it can be a huge advantage in the event that your heater is broken. Having the family concentrated to the fireplace area is a good idea in order to stay warm, not only due to the fire, but also the body heat generated in small quarters will make the warmth last.

Space heaters can be very helpful in these types of situations; however, you’ll never want to leave them unattended or on overnight. Using the opportunity to cook is also a helpful way at warming your home. Just be sure that you’re using your oven or stove top while cooking—not for just heating your home.

As the winter rolls in, layers can be a vital part of staying warm regardless of your heater or furnace’s condition. Another way to keep warm is by staying active, whether it’s getting a workout in or moving around the house. It’s a way to heat up your body while fighting off the effects of the cold.

Contacting Heating Professionals

While there are several ways to keep warm without a functioning heater, you won’t want to rely on them all winter long. It’s important to have your heater inspected and fixed so you can not only heat your home, but to prevent further issues like your pipes freezing.

Having an HVAC service professional inspect your heater will help you learn how it broke, what you can do to prevent it, and how regular maintenance and service can help you avoid similar issues in the future.

When you have an issue with your heater, contact us at Tindall and Ranson. Our experts can help identify the problem and work towards correcting it so you can enjoy a heated home. We also offer a Care Free Maintenance Plan that puts you in the front of the line with emergency heating, cooling, or plumbing situations.