Ah, fall. The time of year when the leaves change color and the air becomes crisp and cool. It’s also the time of year when your heating suddenly decides to stop working. If you’re lucky, it will happen on a day that’s not too cold.

But if you’re like most people, it will happen on the first truly cold day of the season. So, what do you do when your heating breaks down?

Don’t panic! The bad news is that there are many reasons your heating can fail. The good news is that you can complete a few checks on your unit right now to help you diagnose the problem before you call in your local repair technician. Most of the time, you can get your house warm and comfortable again quickly.

We’ll outline a step-by-step process for helping get your heat back on depending on the type of system you have in your home, and finish out with a few tips for keeping your house warm if your heating issue can’t be easily fixed.

Furnace Owners

With a furnace, you’ll need to check various parts of your unit and home to get to the root of your heating problem.

1. Check your thermostat

It’s possible your thermostat has broken or is malfunctioning. This can affect your heating system’s schedule and strength. Try working through these steps to determine whether or not the thermostat is the problem.

• Is it set to the correct temperature?
• Is it in heating mode?
• Are the batteries still good?

If a thermostat isn’t sending proper signals, the heater won’t even turn on. When your thermostat isn’t the problem, move on to the next step.

Pro Tip: Your thermostat may just need to be reset—turn it on and off. This may clear any user errors or system malfunctions. For more tips, take a look at our article all about thermostats.

2. Check the power source for your heating unit

Is it turned on? This may seem obvious but double-check just in case. If the unit is not getting any power, check your fuse box to see if a fuse has blown or reset your circuit breaker if necessary.

3. Check for a gas shut-off valve

Depending on your heating system, it may run on gas or electricity. Make sure the valves supplying this fuel source to your unit are turned on and not blocked by any debris.

If you have an older heating unit, check for any visible leaks in the fuel lines and contact a heating technician if necessary.

4. Check the air filter

A dirty or clogged air filter can block airflow in your heating system and cause it to shut down. Take a look at your heating unit’s air filter and replace it if necessary. If your filter looks like it’s wearing a sweater, your heating system will be affected.

Pro Tip: Change your air filters every 30 to 60 days to keep your unit happy. Get more important information about air filters here.

5. Check the exhaust termination of your unit

If you have a furnace, check the vent/exhaust termination of your heating system for any debris or blockage. Leaves and other outdoor materials can quickly accumulate around and block your heating unit’s airflow. Clean it out as necessary, but be careful not to touch any electrical components.

Pro Tip: Prevent future blockages by keeping leaves and debris away from your heating unit’s outside portion. Trim back any nearby plants and move objects away from the unit.

If you’ve completed all of these checks and your heating still isn’t functioning properly, it may be time to call in a heating specialist. A heating technician can complete a more in-depth inspection of your unit and get it back to heating your home soon.

Heat Pump Owners

For those who use heat pumps to warm their homes, there’s a key step to include when checking your unit.

Look for ice on your outdoor unit

A bit of frost on the coils can accumulate when the heat pump is working to generate warmth in your home. This occurs because the refrigerant turns to gas when heat is produced and then condenses back into a liquid upon meeting the outdoor coil. When winter is in full swing, this freezing process will happen more frequently. The defrosting function exists for this very reason.

But when that function fails, a large portion can freeze over. This can cause your heating unit to shut off. Removing the ice is the solution. Hot water poured gradually over your unit can do the trick here. Do not hack or chip at the ice with a tool! You can easily damage your unit.

Pro Tip: Wait until the ice has thawed and check your unit to see if it’s working. Don’t call an HVAC technician for assistance until the ice has thawed. They will have to wait until the ice is gone to complete a full inspection of your unit.

If your unit still stubbornly refuses to come back on, here are a few tips for keeping your home warm until the heat comes back on.

Home Heating Ideas

1. Invest in blankets and space heaters

They can go a long way to keep you cozy while heating technicians work on your unit.

2. Draw shades and curtains

This helps keep the heat still inside your home.

3. If it’s below freezing, you may want to turn your water off

You want to avoid frozen pipes if possible.

4. Don’t wait too long for repairs

The longer you wait, the colder your house will be, and simply ignoring the problem during these fall months will not make it go away.

Looking for Heating Repairs?

No one wants a cold home. We hope these tips can help get your heating back up and running in no time! And remember, preventative maintenance on your heating unit is key to avoiding any future issues with its functionality.

If you’re unsure about what to do or need heating repairs, call our Rod Miller heating experts. They will be able to diagnose and fix any issues with your heating unit and have you warm and cozy in no time.

Here’s to staying warm in the coming months!