Although winters in Margate aren’t especially brutal, there can certainly be some cool mornings during the coldest months. If your heating system stops working during these times, you could be in for some discomfort. That’s why it’s important to have a plan so that you know what to do before your heating system fails to ensure you don’t have to suffer for long. Until you can call Dr. HVAC Inc for assistance, here are a few steps that you can take.
Inspect Your Furnace
If you lose heat in your home, it’s important to try and figure out what’s wrong with your furnace. In some cases, the problem could be simple. A common cause of a malfunctioning heating system, for example, is a dirty air filter that prevents adequate airflow. You can also check to make sure that the breakers that power your heating system aren’t tripped. If you can’t find a basic cause for your heating woes, it’s best to let a pro from Dr. HVAC Inc take over.
Call Your Utility Company
Sometimes, the problem behind a lack of heat may be larger than your furnace alone. Instead, there could be a problem with your utility provider. If there is an interruption to the gas or electric supply to your home, you could quickly find yourself without heat. The best way to determine if there is a utility interruption is to call your utility company or look for an outage map online. This will usually help you determine when you can expect your utilities to be restored so that you know how to proceed.
Add Some Extra Layers
The easiest way to respond when your house is without heat is to add some extra layers. Adding a sweater or an extra pair of socks can go a long way toward making you more comfortable. It’s important to find a balance when adding layers so that you don’t end up with so much clothing that it’s hard to perform normal tasks. Of course, if you can find something to do around your home, your body will generate extra heat, which will allow you to remove some of the extra layers you’ve added.
Head Outside
One great perk of living in southern Florida is that there is often heat to be found just by stepping outside. In fact, if your heating system fails, the air trapped inside your home could be cooler than the air outside your home. Therefore, opening some windows to allow warmer air to circulate in your home could be all that you need to do while you wait for someone from Dr. HVAC Inc to arrive to fix your furnace. Of course, you can also use your broken furnace as an excuse to head to the beach instead of hanging out at home.
Find a Space to Heat
A space heater is another option for heating your home when your central heating system isn’t working. To be effective, though, you need to be willing to stay in one or two rooms for a prolonged period. Staying put will ensure that the space heater is able to adequately warm the room so that you get the maximum benefit for the lowest cost. When using a space heater, it’s important to keep it away from any flammable fabrics and to shut it off periodically to allow it to cool down. Used correctly, though, a space heater can provide a great stop-gap solution until you can have your furnace fixed.
Bake Something Sweet
Even if you don’t have a space heater, you still likely have an appliance in your home that can provide some extra heat. Your oven generates a lot of heat, albeit at an increased cost compared to your furnace. To heat your home, simply bake something to provide some extra calories to help keep you warm. When you’re done baking, leave the oven door open to allow the excess heat to escape into your home. While this isn’t a great way to heat your home long-term, it works in a pinch.
Furnace Repair You Can Trust
When it comes to furnace repair, Dr. HVAC Inc is a name you can trust. We have been serving the area for over 10 years with quality HVAC care that includes air conditioning and furnace maintenance, repair, and replacement. Our consistent five-star reviews speak to the high quality of service that we provide to our customers. If you’re having a problem with your furnace in Margate, be sure to call the friendly professionals at Dr. HVAC Inc today.
