No Heat in Your House: Safe Checks First, and How to Hire an HVAC Technician

Your Safety Comes First

Your safety is the most important thing if your heat stops working. Carbon monoxide (CO) and natural gas leaks are serious dangers.

If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds:

Never ignore a sounding carbon monoxide alarm. Do not try to find the source of the CO. Immediately move outside to fresh air. Call your emergency services, fire department, or 911. Make sure everyone is accounted for. Do not go back inside until emergency responders give you permission. If the source is a broken appliance, do not use it until trained personnel have fixed it properly. If you are allowed back home and the alarm sounds again within 24 hours, repeat these steps. Then, call a qualified appliance technician to check all fuel-burning equipment and appliances.

If you feel sick or suspect CO poisoning:

Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, and confusion. If you suspect CO poisoning, get outside to fresh air immediately. Then, call 911. The CPSC says that you should have your heating system professionally inspected and serviced annually to help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

If you smell natural gas:

Natural gas has an odor added to it, which some people describe as rotten eggs, sulfur, or garlic. You might also hear a hissing sound near a gas appliance, meter, or pipeline. If you smell natural gas, leave the area immediately. From a safe distance outdoors, call your local gas utility’s emergency number or 911. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin advises against hesitating to report a gas leak, as gas can move and quickly build up in buildings. Do not use cell phones, lights, appliances, cars, flames, or sparks near a suspected gas leak, because these can ignite it.

Never use gas appliances for heat:

Do not use gas appliances like ranges, ovens, or clothes dryers to heat your home. The CPSC warns that this can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.

If using a space heater for warmth:

If you use a portable heater, including electric space heaters, follow these safety tips from the CPSC:

• Keep portable heaters at least three feet away from drapes, furniture, bedding, and other items that can burn.
• Plug electric space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Never plug them into an extension cord or power strip.
• Turn heaters off when you are sleeping.
• If you use a fuel-burning portable heater, never refuel it while it is in use. Turn it off and let it cool first.

Your Only Homeowner Check: The Air Filter

After ensuring safety, the only check you should do yourself is on your furnace’s air filter. A dirty air filter makes your heating and cooling system work harder. This can increase energy costs and damage your equipment, possibly leading to early failure, according to ENERGY STAR.

To check or change your air filter:

1. Locate the filter: It is usually easily accessible on the side or bottom of your furnace unit. It might be behind a door or in a special bracket.
2. Turn off power: Turn off your furnace and fan. You can do this using your thermostat, your electrical circuit breaker panel, or a switch if your unit has one.
3. Inspect: Check the air filter once a month. If it looks dirty, it’s time to clean or change it.
4. Clean or change: If your filter is reusable, clean it according to the manufacturer’s directions. If it’s a disposable filter, replace it with a new one. When inserting a new filter, make sure the arrow on its edge points toward the furnace or blower unit.

ENERGY STAR suggests asking your contractor to show you how to replace or clean the filter during a maintenance visit. If checking or changing your air filter doesn’t bring the heat back, or if you suspect any issues with gas lines, burners, or electrical wiring, it’s time to call a qualified professional. You should never attempt to service fuel-burning appliances without proper knowledge, skill, and tools, as advised by the CPSC.

When to Call a Professional

If your heat is still not working after checking the air filter, or if you have any concerns about gas, burners, or electrical wiring, you need to call a qualified heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technician. These parts of your heating system require expert knowledge and special tools to inspect and repair safely. The CPSC states that most appliances should be installed and serviced by qualified professionals and that you should never service fuel-burning appliances yourself.

How to Choose and Hire an HVAC Technician

Choosing the right professional is important for safe and effective repairs. Here are steps to help you hire a qualified HVAC technician:

• Check for licensing and insurance: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises considering only contractors who are licensed and insured. Confirm a contractor’s license with your state or county government. Ask the contractor for proof of insurance.
• Ask for referrals: ENERGY STAR suggests asking friends, neighbors, and co-workers for recommendations. You can also ask contractors for customer references and call them. Ask about the contractor’s service performance and whether the job was completed on time and within budget.
• Know your system: Before you call a contractor, know the model of your current heating system and its maintenance history. Make note of any uncomfortable rooms or specific problems you’ve noticed.

When the technician arrives, they should be able to identify the problem and explain the necessary repairs. A thorough heating system check-up, as recommended by ENERGY STAR, includes checking thermostat settings, tightening electrical connections, measuring motor voltage and current, lubricating moving parts, and checking the system’s controls and starting cycle. For heating systems, they should also check all gas (or oil) connections, gas pressure, burner combustion, and the heat exchanger. Improperly operating gas or oil connections are a fire hazard and can cause health problems. A dirty burner or cracked heat exchanger can make the equipment operate less safely and efficiently.

Prevent Future Breakdowns with Regular Maintenance

To help prevent your heating system from breaking down again, ENERGY STAR advises having a contractor perform annual pre-season check-ups of your heating and cooling system. The CPSC also recommends having your heating system professionally inspected and serviced annually to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

It is best to check the heating system in the fall, before the colder weather arrives, because contractors get busy once winter comes. A typical annual heating check-up should include:

• Safety checks: The technician should check all gas (or oil) connections, gas pressure, burner combustion, and the heat exchanger. Faulty gas or oil connections are a fire hazard. A dirty burner or cracked heat exchanger can cause the equipment to operate less safely and efficiently.
• Electrical checks: They should tighten all electrical connections and measure voltage and current on motors. Faulty electrical connections can cause your system to operate unsafely.
• Mechanical checks: They should lubricate moving parts, check thermostat settings, and inspect the system’s controls and starting cycle.
• Venting checks: The inspector should also check chimneys and flues for blockages, corrosion, partial and complete disconnections, and loose connections, as recommended by the CPSC.

Regular maintenance helps your system run more efficiently and can help you avoid unexpected breakdowns.

When this advice may not fit

This advice is for homeowners with typical furnace heating systems experiencing a loss of heat. If you have a different type of heating system, such as a boiler, geothermal, or radiant floor heating, the specific homeowner checks and professional service needs may differ. If your heating system is brand new and under warranty, or if you believe the issue might be covered by your homeowner’s insurance, you should contact your installer or insurance provider first for guidance specific to your situation.