Emergency Furnace Repair: What to Do When the Heat Goes Out

Emergency Furnace Repair: What to Do When the Heat Goes Out

No one wants to deal with an HVAC emergency in their home, but being prepared in case one takes place is important. Emergency furnace repair needs are no exception - what should you be thinking about and doing when an emergency situation arises with your furnace?

At Airtime Heating & Cooling, we're here to offer the very best furnace repair and replacement services around Draper, Herriman and nearby areas, including emergency furnace repair solutions. Here are some situations that typically qualify as emergency furnace repair needs, plus some immediate steps to take both before and after contacting our team for emergency repairs.

What Qualifies as an Emergency Furnace Repair?

Here are some issues or situations that qualify as emergencies when it comes to your furnace:

  • Complete furnace failure: Particularly if it happens during the night or on weekends, a complete furnace failure can be considered an emergency. This means that your furnace is not producing any heat at all, and the temperature inside your home is dropping rapidly.
  • Ignition or pilot control problems: If your furnace is not lighting up at all, this could be indicative of a faulty or malfunctioning ignition system. In some cases, the pilot light may also go out repeatedly, which could be a sign of a problem with the pilot control valve.
  • Gas leak: If you smell gas coming from your furnace, it's important to treat this as an emergency and contact our team immediately. A gas leak can be dangerous and must be addressed promptly.
  • Carbon monoxide leak: Similar to a gas leak, if you suspect a carbon monoxide leak from your furnace, it's crucial to take immediate action. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, making it difficult to detect without a carbon monoxide detector. Symptoms of exposure include headaches, dizziness, and nausea. If you experience these symptoms, leave your home immediately and call for help.

Immediate Steps to Take

If you notice these or any other emergency furnace needs, it's important to take immediate action to maintain safety of everyone in the home:

Shut Off Furnace

Especially if you suspect a gas or carbon monoxide leak, turn off the furnace to prevent further exposure. This requires knowledge of where your furnace's shut-off valve is located. If you are unsure, it's best to call a professional for help. In this case, you might also temporarily just shut off the circuit breaker that powers your furnace.

Check Filter and Thermostat

In cases where your furnace stops working, it often pays to first check on your filter. A clogged or dirty filter is often the culprit when it comes to furnace issues.In some cases, you will be able to get your furnace to begin working again simply by changing or cleaning your filter.

Your thermostat may also be the cause of your furnace troubles. Make sure it is set to "heat" and set at a temperature higher than the current room temperature. If your thermostat is battery-powered, check to see if the batteries need to be replaced.

If neither of these approaches solves the problem, however, or if your issue is with a leak or another concern, move to our next steps.

Call Our Team

Once you've ensured safety by shutting off the furnace, immediately call our team for assistance. Our technicians are trained and equipped to handle any emergency furnace repair. We will arrive promptly and assess the situation, providing a solution that is both safe and efficient.

Open Windows

While waiting for our team to arrive, it's important to open windows in the affected area to allow fresh air in if the suspected issue is a leak. This can help reduce the levels of gas or carbon monoxide in your home while you wait for professional help.

Evacuate if Necessary

If you or anyone in your household is experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, nausea, or difficulty breathing, evacuate the premises immediately. Seek medical attention if needed and inform emergency responders about your suspicions of a gas or carbon monoxide leak.

Document Issues

While you're waiting for our team to arrive, document any issues you notice. If your furnace has stopped working, note the make and model as well as any recent maintenance or repairs. If you can safely do so, take photos of any visible damage or potential sources of a leak. This information will be helpful for our technicians when they arrive and may also be necessary for insurance purposes.

At Airtime Heating & Cooling, we're here to help with any emergency furnace repair need that arises around Draper, Herriman or nearby areas. Contact us immediately for any such need.

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