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How to Deal with a Heater Breakdown in the Winter

Heater breakdowns are no joke, and they can’t be ignored when they occur. While we do everything in our power to keep a heater breakdown from happening, sometimes they do occur. As a homeowner, you might want to be prepared for the effects that come from it. Especially in Pennsylvania, where it can get extremely cold outdoors, you could endanger yourself, your property, or your family without a functioning heater.

First and foremost, you should always contact a professional when it comes to serious HVAC in Bucks County. A professional heating technician will be able to easily understand what went wrong with your heater and give you the proper solution to getting heat back into your home.

However, until that point happens—here are a few things you can do to keep yourself comfortable.

Emergency Service

Whether you’d call a heater breakdown an emergency or not, we definitely would. That means you’re going to want to call a professional team that’s available 24/7. That’s because, while dealing with colder temperatures for a few hours can be easily worked around, having no heat for an entire weekend is borderline dangerous. Not to brag or anything, but we offer 24/7 live service for anyone in need of proper care, no matter how inconvenient the timing.

That being said, let’s talk about some ways you can deal with a heater breakdown.

Dust Off Your Chimney

While a lot of homes in our area have chimneys for decorative purposes, some of them work and can provide you and your family with a decent amount of heat until we’re able to get your heater back up and running. Before you light your chimney, you’re going to want to make sure it’s cleaned out and that the flue is open. Once you’ve dusted it off and opened the flue, grab some firewood and enjoy the heat until you can get the professional service you need for your heater.

Replace the Filter

Before you think that your heater is a lost cause, take a good look at your heater’s filter. Sometimes a filter that’s too clogged will actually cause the heating system to shut off. This is a particularly common reason for furnaces and other heating systems to shut down, since it can be indistinguishable from a breakdown that’s much worse. If you need help replacing your air filter, a professional HVAC technician can help you locate it and perform this service accordingly.

Inspect Your Electrical System

While a breakdown is bad news, a power outage is even worse news. Our heating systems use our electrical systems to run accordingly, and if your power goes out, or a certain circuit is blown, you might be without heat. Check your other home appliances, lights, or circuit breakers for anything that looks out of the ordinary.

However, we must stress that you shouldn’t do anything you’re not comfortable with. Heating and electrical systems can be dangerous when operated on by someone that isn’t properly trained. It’s never a bad idea to bundle up and wait for a professional technician to help.

Call our team at Carney Plumbing Heating & Cooling for same-day service to address your heating problem!

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