Prep for Cold Snap – What To Do If Your Heater Goes Out

After last year’s cold snap, you may be wary of another cold winter here in Texas. Many were left without heat and not sure what to do! Here are some tips on how to stay safe if your heater goes out.

Perform Maintenance

Have you had maintenance yet in preparation for the cold weather? Although it may seem like your heating system is running fine, there may be issues behind the scenes that an HVAC professional can fix before the unwanted breakdown during our coldest season of the year. During warmer weather, dust, debris, and dirt can collect on the outside and inside of your furnace, which can then cause malfunctions when the furnace is running. Contact an HVAC professional today so they can assess the situation and prevent a possible breakdown. It is not recommended you try and perform maintenance on your own as this can void your warranty if not done properly.

Purchase a Generator

If you don’t have a generator, you may want to consider having one as a backup. A portable generator can run certain appliances, including your furnace, for a day without any other power to run your HVAC system. Just be sure to follow safety procedures when it comes to generators, and under no circumstances should you bring them inside your home or garage. Always keep generators at least 30 feet away from your house, so that you and your family are safe from carbon monoxide poisoning.

The Power Went Out

One of the most worrisome things for many is what to do if the power goes out. If you don’t have power to run your heater, you may wonder what you can do to stay warm until the power comes back on again. Here are some tips on how to conserve heat:

• Close any blinds/curtains to cover up your windows and provide insulation.
  • If you do not have blinds/curtains, hang towels over the windows as an alternative.
• Layer up! Grab layers of clothing to try and conserve heat.
• If specific rooms feel colder than others, close off the colder rooms and stay in the warmer rooms in your home.
  • Remember to put towels/blankets at the bottom of the doors to keep heat in and cold out.
• If you have a fireplace, make sure the vent is inspected/cleaned out and have dry wood at the ready; be sure to practice fire safety!
• Have all electronics charged and invest in a portable charger for your phones.

Have more questions on what to do if your heater goes out? Simply call today and we can help with the answers you need.

No matter what happens, we are here for you at BVS Home Experts. We have experienced technicians standing by 24/7 (yes, even on holidays!) so that we can help you when a problem arises.  Make sure your home is comfortable all year long. Contact BVS Home Experts today to restore your comfort.

Author Bio:

Ronald Via

Ronald is one of the key contributors to BVS Home Experts, a family-owned and operated full-service air conditioning and heating company serving the Katy and West Houston areas. With a deep understanding of air conditioning and heating concerns, Ronald brings a wealth of knowledge to our readers.