What to Do If Your Heat Stops Working

Whether your heat has already stopped working or you’re researching ahead of time, you’re in the right place. There are many reasons why our heaters can stop working, and while Eshenaurs is available for you 24/7, you may be able to fix the heat yourself with this simple checklist. Here is a compilation of the most common reasons for no-heat situations.

The Checklist for Assessing No-Heat Situations:

  • Check Your Thermostat

For a thermostat to kick in, the batteries will need to be fresh, the HEAT (or AUTO) selection will need to be on, and the temperature should be set at least three degrees above the current room temperature. Also ensure the FAN switch is set to ON (or AUTO).

  • Verify That You Have Fuel

If you heat with heating oil or propane, check the gauge on top of your fuel tank to ensure you have enough left. It will read like the gas gauge in your car, and you should always refill by the time your tank reaches ¼ capacity. A lack of fuel will certainly prevent your heat from working.

  • Turn Furnace Switches On

Furnace switches look like light switches, but often have a red panel instead of a white one. Sometimes they are accidentally turned off; check both the switch at the top of your basement stairs and the one on the furnace itself. Check that they’re both turned to the ON position.

  • Try the Furnace Reset Button

On the burner motor on the outside of your furnace, there is a Reset button. Push the button and hold it for a few seconds, and see if the burner fires. If so, your heat should reengage. If not, call Eshenaurs: DO NOT press more than once. Pressing the reset button more than once can cause the furnace to kick back.

  • Visit Your Breaker Box

Visit your breaker box (usually in the basement) and ensure that the switch controlling the furnace is in the ON position. Like the furnace switches, sometimes breaker switches get turned off accidentally and are a problem that is easy to remedy.

  • Check the Heat Vents in Your Home

Heat vents are how the hot air is distributed to different rooms in your home. If too many of these are closed, the furnace can overheat and shut down for safety reasons. Sometimes opening a few more of these vents is all you need for the furnace to turn back on.

No Luck? Please Reach Out to Eshenaurs

If you’ve tried the above tips and still have no heat, please call Eshenaurs immediately! January is the coldest month of the year in Pennsylvania, and we want all of our customers to stay safe and warm. You can utilize our 24/7 emergency service and have a technician sent to your home, who will get your heat back up and running in no time.