There's nothing quite like turning the thermostat up during a bitter, cold winter to realize that it's not kicking on. Homeowners often do not discover that they have a problem until they are left with no heat. While it can be alarming, with help from furnace contractors and these tips, you'll get through this situation.

Contact Furnace Contractors

Furnace contractors can help you determine the underlying problem with your furnace. They may be able to repair the furnace, or they can make recommendations for a new furnace if yours has gone out.

According to the Department of Energy, modern furnaces are capable of being almost 99% efficient, while older, outdated furnaces are only capable of achieving an efficiency of up to 70%, and some are as low as 56%. Furnace contractors can help you not only find the perfect furnace to meet your needs, but they can also help you learn about how to save on heating costs with an efficient furnace.

Make Sure Your Pipes Don't Freeze

In the meantime, you'll need to keep your home in working order. When pipes freeze, they can burst, which will result in thousands of dollars in repair costs. Prevent this by keeping all of the pipes warm in the house. Homeowners that have space heaters are encouraged to make sure that rooms with pipes, such as kitchens and bathrooms, stay above freezing temperature.

Turning the water on can also prevent freezing due to the constant flow of water. Simply turn the faucet on so a slow drip continuously comes out of the nozzle.

Keep Yourself and Your Family Warm

Preventing hypothermia is critical when there is no heat in a home. Dress in layers of clothing to keep warm. Use additional blankets and wear a coat and mittens to prevent the cold from causing hypothermia.

Homeowners that live in a large home need to create a microenvironment. Microenvironments are easier to keep warm than larger rooms are. To do this, use blankets, curtains, or plastic sheeting to section off one room. If your family enjoys camping, you can also use tents. Cover the tents with blankets to provide further insulation. Then, use a space heater and candles to provide additional warmth.

Suddenly discovering that your furnace is not working can be an unavoidable crisis. Contact our furnace contractors today to get the help that you need.