Ohio’s winter weather can have all kinds of surprises, but one thing is almost always certain: It gets cold during the wintertime.
When home heating season is in full swing, having a fully functional furnace isn’t a luxury. It becomes a necessity that far too many people take for granted until something goes wrong.
Whether a storm knocks out our power or a furnace breaks down from old age, losing heat can make a homeowner anxious.
Rest assured, however, our team here at Lebanon Heating & Cooling composed the following checklist to help you figure out what might be wrong:
Tips for Homeowners in Lebanon, Ohio, Who’ve Lost Heat
Locating the Problem
Check the Power
If you’ve lost power, the first thing you should do is call your power company. The sooner you call, the better. Because some power companies respond first to areas with the most reports, it’s a good idea to call even if your neighbors have already called.
On the other hand, if you still have your power, you should check to make sure the heating equipment still has power running to it by checking fuses and breakers.
Check Your Thermostat
If everything is good with your power supply to the furnace, next you’ll want to check your thermostat to make sure it’s working and it has power. If it has power, or if the batteries are good, next you should open it up and clear away any dust. After that, test it by turning it up a few degrees to see if the heat kicks on. Finally, the last step is to check the wires leading from the thermostat to your furnace to determine if any are broken. If none of this works or if you feel your thermostat isn’t working properly, give us a call and we can fix it for a fair price.
Check Furnace Filters
After you’ve taken those steps, next you’ll want to make sure your furnace has proper airflow. Because dirty air filters can hinder air flow and even outright block it, which can lead to full system failure, air filters should be checked every month throughout the winter. If they are dirty, the furnace won’t have proper air flowing through it to move the heat and allow your system to work like it should. In many furnaces, there is a safety feature that makes it shut down if it becomes too hot. In any case, if the air filter is dirty, replace it and make sure all your air registers are open and there isn’t any furniture, curtains or other items blocking airflow.
Check Your Gas Valve
If you have a gas furnace and you aren’t getting heat, check your system’s gas valve. Make sure this valve is open so it’s able to provide the fuel it needs. Additionally, you should check to make sure the gas control valve inside the furnace is open as well. If at any time you smell gas, take extreme caution. Do not turn any lights or fixtures on or off. Leave the home immediately and then use your mobile phone once outside the home (or a neighbor’s phone) to call the gas company for an emergency repair.
Need help with your furnace? Call us right away!
If you’ve lost heat in your Warren County area home this winter, or if you need a local, reputable HVAC technician to check your heating equipment when the power is restored — call Lebanon Heating & Cooling today at (513) 540-1773, or schedule an appointment now by clicking here!
