No homeowner wants to think about their furnace failing during a Pennsylvania winter. Unfortunately, freezing temperatures affect furnace performance significantly. If your furnace has inefficiencies or worn-out components, a cold snap can amplify its problems. When you have no heat in winter in PA, it’s important to act quickly.
Why Furnace Failures Are Dangerous in Freezing Weather
Your furnace not working in PA winters can create a major problem for your home. Indoor temperatures can drop fairly quickly, especially during the overnight hours. Your pets, young children, and elderly household members are more at risk.
A lack of heat can be extremely damaging to your home as well. Your water pipes can freeze and end up bursting when you turn your water back on. This can lead to major water damage inside your home that will be costly to repair.
To make it even worse, having no heat in winter in PA can have homeowners searching for alternative options. Using items like propane heaters, grills, and even ovens are unsafe heating alternatives. They come with an increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and in-house fires.
Common Reasons Furnaces Fail in Cold PA Winters
Pennsylvania winters can put a heavy demand on your home heating system. Issues, like a dirty filter, can restrict airflow and make your system work harder. This can lead to issues like overheating and automatic system shutdowns if you don’t get routine maintenance. This can also contribute to worn-out parts that will fail during peak use.
Immediate Steps to Take When Your Furnace Stops Working
When freezing temperatures cause your furnace to not work, it’s important to act immediately. You never want to put off getting repairs, as it could lead to freezing temperatures inside your home. As a homeowner, there are certain things you can do to try to troubleshoot your unit. If you can’t get your unit started after going through these HVAC emergency tips, it’s best to call a professional.
Assess Your Thermostat
One of the first things you want to do when you have no heat in winter in PA is check your thermostat. Make sure that it’s set to heat, and the temperature is above what your current room temperature is. If the screen is blank, you may need to replace the batteries in your thermostat.
Check Your Air Filter
Another thing you can do is take a look at your air filter. If your air filter is clogged with debris, it can restrict airflow throughout your system. This can cause it to overheat past its limits, which will shut it off to prevent system damage. Try replacing the air filter and seeing if your furnace will start back up again.
Inspect Your Power Supply
If your thermostat screen is blank and you’ve tried replacing the batteries with no success, it may be the circuit breaker. It’s a good idea to head down to your panel box and check to see if the circuit breaker for your furnace is tripped. If so, be sure to turn it off and back on. If it immediately trips again, you need a professional for further assistance. It’s also a good idea to check the furnace itself to see if its disconnect switch has accidentally been turned off.
When to Call for Emergency Furnace Repair in PA
When there are freezing temperatures and your furnace malfunctions, it’s considered an emergency. It doesn’t take long for having no heat in winter in PA to create a real problem for your home and your family. Fortunately, we do offer emergency furnace repair in PA. It doesn’t matter if your furnace won’t turn on or is blowing cold air. Whatever the issue may be, you can rest assured that our knowledgeable HVAC technicians can repair it.
Get Fast Furnace Repair! Call Dowd HVAC for 24/7 Service
Dowd Heating & Air is your go-to expert for emergency furnace repair in PA. We’re a full-service HVAC company that can assist with all your home comfort needs. Simply call our office today if you have no heat in winter in PA to get the assistance you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Whether it’s about our best HVAC emergency tips or having no heat in winter in PA, we get a lot of questions from our customers. Below, we’ll answer some of the most common questions regarding freezing temperatures and furnace malfunctions.
How Cold Can My Home Get Before Pipes Freeze?
In general, most pipes won’t freeze until the temperature reaches 20 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s very likely for your pipes to freeze in more exposed locations first. Pipes in your exterior walls, attic, and other exposed locations can start freezing around 32 degrees.
Should I Shut Off My Water If The Furnace Stops Working?
You can certainly shut off the main water supply for your home if there are freezing temperatures and a furnace malfunction. If you shut off your water supply valve, you want to ensure that you open up all your spigots. This will help drain the water from your system and relieve any pressure.
Can Space Heaters Safely Heat My Home Temporarily?
Yes, space heaters can safely heat your home on a temporary basis. Because space heaters are one of the leading causes of house fires during the winter, it’s important to take safety precautions. You want to ensure you place these in a location where they can’t tip over and no one is walking over their cords.
How Long Does Emergency Furnace Repair Usually Take?
When you need emergency furnace repair in PA, one of the first questions you likely have is how quickly we can repair your system. The answer to this question really depends on what’s wrong with your unit and the availability of parts to repair it. We can provide you with an estimated time frame for repair when we assess the problem.
