subject: No Heat? Call Heating Repair and Follow these Tips [print this page] No Heat? Call Heating Repair and Follow these Tips
Having "no heat" is one of the toughest things to deal with in the winter. Not only do you have to spend money on heating repair, but you also have to endure a cold, freezing house. Although there is not much you can do until the heating repairman arrives, there are a few things to consider when your furnace breaks down.
If You Have a Generator
First, if you have a generator, do not connect it to your home's power system unless it has been properly installed. This includes disconnecting your power from the main power grid when it is operating. If you do not disconnect from the power grid, you can be sending electricity back down the lines; not just to your home. That could be deadly for power company workers.
What to Use for Backup
It's great if you have a heating backup system like a wood stove or fireplace. Of course, you can use it for heat until your main heating unit is repaired. However, DO NOT USE kerosene heaters, BBQs, or any outdoor type heater inside. Such devices create poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas given off by combustion and could kill. There are incidents every year of people dying because of carbon monoxide poisoning. Don't be one of them.
Consider an Electrical Space Heater for Backup
We all know that electrical heat is expensive. However, if your furnace breaks down in the middle of a snowstorm, you may be out of luck for hours. Investing in a cheap, portable electrical heating unit or space heater can be the ideal backup for a no heat situation.
No Heat Checklist
Finally, there is a procedure that you should follow if you find yourself in a no heat situation. Print it out before you need it and put is someplace handy.
Make sure that the emergency electrical shutoff switch is in the "ON" position. (This is usually located on the main floor near the basement steps)
Determine that the room thermostat or other controlling device is calling for burner operation.
Check the oil level in the supply tank.
Push red reset button only ONCE and listen to see if burner ignites.
Check for any blown fuses or tripped circuit breakers in the electrical supply for the furnace or boiler. Note that a tripped breaker switch moves only slightly from the "ON" position.
