What to Do If Your Furnace Breaks During Winter 

When temperatures drop in Centennial, CO, your furnace becomes one of your home’s best and most important appliances. It keeps you warm and comfortable even if the snow starts falling outside. 

But what happens if your furnace suddenly stops working? This is the last thing you want, especially during a freezing Colorado winter. 

If this happens to you, there is no need to panic. You can take several essential steps to find and address the problem. You can also book a professional furnace repair in Centennial, CO. 

Assess the Situation

Sometimes, you may not need to call a furnace repair company immediately. If your furnace has stopped working, check for the following:

• Is the furnace completely dead, or is it running but not heating?
• Did the furnace make strange noises before it stopped working?
• Did the problem start after a power outage?

These questions can help you determine whether it is a simple issue or something only a professional can fix. 

If the furnace is running but not heating, the issue may be the thermostat settings or a dirty filter. You may also be low on fuel if you have a gas furnace. Always leave the house with your family if you smell natural gas inside. This may indicate that your broken gas furnace is leaking. 

Unusual sounds could indicate a failing blower motor or a loose component. This will likely have to be fixed by a professional furnace repairer. 

A power outage can also cause a furnace to stop working temporarily. Check your home’s circuit breaker to check whether the furnace breaker tripped. If so, reset it and see if the furnace starts working again.

If the breaker trips again, you must call in the professionals. 

Check the Thermostat

If your furnace stops working, the problem can often be traced to the thermostat. Check whether your thermostat is set to the correct settings. Sometimes, the thermostat is set to cool instead of heat. If so, set it to heat and check that the temperature is higher than the room temperature. 

If your thermostat runs on batteries, ensure the batteries are not dead. If you have a smart thermostat, check that the settings have not accidentally been reset. 

Inspect Your Furnace Filter

Your furnace may have a clogged or dirty air filter. This can lead to all sorts of problems. If the filter is blocked, it restricts airflow. This may result in your furnace overheating and shutting off as a safety precaution. Regular maintenance and cleaning can prevent this. 

If it looks like a dirty filter is the culprit, replace it and see if the furnace works again. Filters are inexpensive and easy to replace. 

Check for Furnace Error Codes

If you have a modern furnace, you can use an error code system to help find the problem. Check the control panel for blinking lights or error codes if your furnace goes off. Your furnace manual can help explain what each code means. 

Call a professional for repairs if you cannot decipher the code system. 

Check for Vent Obstructions

Another reason your furnace may stop working is because of blocked vents. Go around your house and check that all the vents and registers are open. Make sure they are not blocked by furniture or curtains. Blocked vents will cause overheating, causing your furnace to shut down. 

Removing obstructions can help restore proper airflow and get your furnace working again. Remember, a furnace exhaust vent blockage can also lead to the buildup of carbon monoxide inside your house. This is a very dangerous situation as the gas is odorless and colorless.

Call a Professional Furnace Repair Service

If you have gone through all these steps and still cannot get your furnace working, it is time to call the professionals. Furnaces are complex systems; fixing the issue on your own without knowing what to do will make things worse. It can also be dangerous to tinker with a furnace if you do not know what to look for or what to fix. 

A licensed HVAC technician can quickly identify and fix the issue. HVAC technicians know how to handle different types of furnaces safely and properly. They also have the right tools and experience to get your furnace working when you need it the most. 

When your furnace is fixed, it is important to have it maintained by a professional every year. This will prevent further issues. Also, remember to replace the furnace filter regularly and keep vents and registers clear to ensure proper airflow. 

Do Not Let a Furnace Breakdown Ruin a Cozy Winter

It can be stressful to deal with a furnace that breaks down in the middle of winter. However, knowing what to check for and when to call the professionals will make the situation more manageable. 

Following the above steps will help you keep your home warm all winter, even if the unexpected happens.