In the dead of winter, the last thing any homeowner wants to deal with is a furnace that stops working entirely. Unfortunately, this happens all too often, and it usually tends to happen on the most frigid days of the year. For this reason, all homeowners should know the proper steps to take if their furnace stops working in the middle of winter. By doing so, you can keep as warm as possible, get the repair done in a timely manner, and protect your home from further damage.

Call an Emergency Repair Technician ASAP

After you've checked for any obvious problems that you can resolve yourself (such as an incorrect thermostat setting or a blown fuse on an electric furnace), it's time to call for help. A furnace that stops working entirely in the middle of winter is generally considered an HVAC emergency since temperatures inside your home can plummet quickly and dangerously in not much time at all. For the quickest response, you'll want to call an emergency furnace repair technician.

Keep as Much Heat in Your Home as Possible

The next step is to take measures that will help retain as much of the existing heat in your home as possible. If it's still light outside, open any window treatments (curtains, blinds, etc.) on the side(s) of your house facing the sun. This will allow sunlight to stream in and heat your home slightly. On the other hand, be sure to close any window treatments that are not in the path of direct sunlight, as this will help to retain existing heat.

Whenever possible, avoid opening exterior doors in your home. Protect your home's plumbing pipes (which can be prone to freezing if temperatures drop too low) by opening cabinets under sinks. This will allow the existing heat in the home to better reach the pipes.

Use Space Heaters Safely and Responsibly

If you have a space heater, be sure to use it responsibly and carefully until your furnace repair technician arrives. This means keeping space heaters away from flammable materials, including window treatments and furniture. A small space heater can make all the difference in keeping you and your loved ones comfortable until help arrives.

Experiencing a furnace failure in the dead of winter is never fun, but by knowing the right steps to take as soon as it happens, you can get through it. Contact a company like Custom Comfort for more information and assistance.