What to Do if the Heat Goes Out in Winter

Nothing is worse than when your furnace suddenly quits in the middle of winter and you have to wait for furnace repair in Cupertino, CA. What are you supposed to do if your furnace goes out? There is no need to be alarmed. Your priority should be keeping your house and family as warm as possible. Here are a few things you can do.

1. Dress Warm

The first thing you will want to do is put on your warm socks and layer up. Add a sweatshirt or a cardigan to your outfit. Don your slippers. Maybe even swap in a hat or scarf if it is chilly enough. Dressing the part will help you keep warm while you wait for furnace repair.

2. Get Cooking

There is no better way to warm up than with food. You shouldn’t just turn on the stove or the oven just for the purpose of heating up the house – that could become a fire hazard. Instead, think of something to cook or bake. Make some soup to help you stay warm or a fresh batch of cookies to help you cheer up. And who wouldn’t go for a hearty dinner casserole on a cold winter evening?

3. Do the Laundry

Some appliances generate heat while they work. Your dishwasher and your clothes dryer qualify. So while it might be the last thing you want to do, getting a load of dishes or laundry done could help warm your home while the furnace is out.

4. Insulate Against Outside Air

Another thing you can do is seal off your house against the cold air. Be sure you keep all the doors and windows closed. Shut the blinds at night and keep the curtains drawn. If you don’t have window treatments, consider hanging a towel or a blanket over the windows for better insulation. Close off the doors to any rooms you are not using. And try to stick to just one area in the house to keep warm.

5. Find a Snuggle Buddy

Body heat is another way to stay warm, especially on cold nights with no furnace. Grab a few extra blankets and snuggle up with your favorite person or your furry pet. Put on a movie or grab your favorite book and cuddle up.

6. Use a Space Heater or Heating Pad

As long as the electricity going out wasn’t the cause of a failed furnace, you can use alternative heat sources to keep warm. Portable space heaters can make all the difference. Just be sure to operate them safely and never leave them on if you leave the room. So pull out all those heat pads and electric blankets. Just be sure you don’t fall asleep while using them – that would be dangerous.

7. Turn on the Fireplace

No better time to use your fireplace than a winter day without your furnace. If you have a safe gas or wood-burning fireplace, then this is the time to turn it on. Just be sure you take all the proper safety precautions when lighting your fire.

Once you have called a professional for furnace repair in Cupertino, CA it will take several hours or maybe a couple of days before they can get to you for repairs. But these tips will help you keep warm while you wait.