Many of us enjoy the coming of winter, cool nights with extra blankets and sweaters, maybe a fire in the fireplace. The cool weather brings additional reasons for hot chocolate, soft scarves and the opportunity to cuddle. But it's nice to know those aren't our only ways to stay warm. Having climate controlled indoors and thermostats allow us to ensure comfortable homes year-round. Whether it is central gas heating or electric heat, a toasty home is a happy home.
A happy home until the heat goes out. Inevitably the heat goes out in the middle of the night, causing you to wake up because no matter how you burrow into the covers or snuggle up, you are colder and colder. Cold, tired and in the dark is no way to frantically try to fix a thermostat. Being prepared will help get you warm faster and maybe even prevent a cold and frosty awakening.
First, if you believe your central gas heat isn't working, the first thing to do is to make sure your thermostat is set to heat mode. As simple as it sounds, this is often a culprit. If your thermostat is indeed on heat, assuming it is batter operated, change the batteries. For an electric thermostat, check your clocks-are they blinking? Did the power go out mid night? If so, your thermostat may just need to be reset.
If your thermostat is electric and doesn't respond after being reset or turned off/on, you will need to check your circuit breaker. Make sure that furnace fuse isn't blown. If the circuit breaker is working, you should next check your furnace's power. Typically the furnace power switch is either inside or next to the furnace cabinet. Turn on the power and wait a few minutes for the furnace to restart. If the power is on or does not come back on, the furnace may have overloaded.
If your furnace has overloaded, you will need to reset the motor. Don't panic, this is actually a very simple task! Every furnace has a reset button for the motor; simply press the button to reset. If the motor does not turn on, wait thirty minutes and try it again. If none of these tips work, you will need to examine your main electrical panel. Look for a fuse on the main power switch, it may be blown. If so, you will need to follow the instructions manual to change it. If none of these steps work, you will need to call an HVAC repair center or contractor.
All of the above steps are best followed when your central gas heat goes out, in the order presented, as the flow from simplest to most involved solutions. Although it is good to know how to return your heat when it goes out, it is an even better practice to maintain your system. Having your HVAC system checked each spring and fall can prevent failure on the coldest day of the year as well as saving your money by ensuring it runs efficiently and effectively every day, regardless of the temperature!
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