According to Murphy’s law, anything that can go wrong inevitably will go wrong. So when your furnace decides to go kaput in the middle of winter, you at least have somewhere to place blame. But aside from that, it’s important that you know how to deal with, and potentially prevent, this kind of situation.
Here are a few HVAC system tips to help you figure out how to deal with a mid-winter furnace meltdown without going into meltdown mode yourself.
First, Get Out of the House
If you smell natural gas inside of your home, it’s important that you get your family and pets out and call the appropriate department to assess the situation (just be sure not to place the call from inside the house!). Only after the area has been deemed safe should you go back in. Not only can this natural gas cause carbon monoxide poisoning, it’s highly flammable. If you don’t smell any gas, proceed to the next step…
Call for Repairs
Once the situation has been assessed and your safety is ensured, you should immediately call your HVAC services for furnace repairs or a complete replacement. Heating system repair should be performed immediately in this situation, and most local heating and air conditioning companies should be able to accommodate a last-minute service call.
Have a Backup
Until repairs can be performed, it’s important to have a reliable source of heat in your home as a backup. Electric heaters or a fireplace are both excellent solutions in this scenario, as are warm, cozy blankets.
Prevent it From Happening
It’s insanely easy to prevent this issue from ever occurring in your home. Heating and air conditioning companies should offer inspections to ensure that your HVAC system is in working order and doesn’t require any major repairs. Efficient HVAC systems require inspections twice annually: once in the spring and once in the fall. Inspection during these transitional seasons can help prevent issues during the summer and winter seasons of peak HVAC use. If you have any questions, heating and air conditioning companies should be able to provide you with any information you might need. And if they suggest an upgrade, that should leave you with ample time to install a new furnace before winter.
Whatever you do, don’t neglect HVAC system maintenance. It’s one of the most important practices you can possibly have when it comes to home ownership. If you’re a believer in Murphy’s law, you need to prevent things from going wrong before they ever get the chance to do so.
