No heat: how to stay safe and warm until repairs
Check the thermostat, the breaker, the furnace power switch and the filter first; many no-heat calls end there. While you wait for repair, never heat the home with an oven, grill or generator indoors, keep space heaters three feet from anything that burns, and protect pipes from freezing. Call 833-877-1717 to request an independent heating provider.
RepairNowUSA editorial review · Last substantively reviewed October 13, 2026 · Review standards
First: gas smell or CO alarm?
If you smell gas (a rotten-egg odor) or a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, leave the building now. Do not switch lights or appliances on or off. Call 911 or the gas utility from outside. Symptoms of CO poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea and confusion, and several people feeling sick at once is a warning sign.
Quick checks before you call
- Thermostat: set to "Heat", temperature above room temperature, fresh batteries if it has them. Schedules and "hold" settings can override what you set.
- Breaker: check for a tripped furnace or air handler breaker. Reset it once. If it trips again, leave it off.
- Furnace switch: a wall switch that looks like a light switch near the furnace, often at the top of the basement stairs. It is easy to turn off by mistake.
- Filter: a clogged filter can make a furnace overheat and shut itself off. Replace it if it is dirty.
- Furnace door: a safety switch keeps the furnace off if the blower door panel is not seated.
- Condensate drain: high-efficiency furnaces shut down if the condensate line or pump backs up. In freezing weather, an outdoor drain line can freeze.
- Outdoor vent pipes: on high-efficiency furnaces, snow or ice blocking the white plastic intake and exhaust pipes will shut the furnace down. Clear them gently.
- Fuel: propane or oil tank not empty; gas service on.
If none of that helps, or the furnace starts and then shuts off repeatedly, stop resetting it and call for repair.
Heat pump specifics
- In cold weather a heat pump periodically goes into defrost: the outdoor fan stops and you may see steam. That is normal.
- Heavy ice covering the whole outdoor unit for hours is not normal.
- "Emergency heat" or "Aux heat" on the thermostat uses backup electric heat. It can keep the house warm until repair but costs more to run.
Keeping people warm safely
- Gather everyone in one room, close doors, and hang blankets over windows and doorways.
- Space heaters: keep them at least three feet from anything that can burn, plug them directly into a wall outlet (not an extension cord or power strip), and turn them off when you leave the room or sleep.
- Never use a gas oven or range, charcoal or gas grill, camp stove or generator to heat indoors.
- Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms work.
- Watch for signs of hypothermia, especially in infants and older adults: shivering, confusion, drowsiness, slurred speech. Get medical help if they appear.
- If it is not safe to stay, consider a warming center, family or a hotel.
Protect the pipes
- Open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls.
- Let faucets on exterior walls drip slowly.
- Keep garage doors closed if water lines run through the garage.
- If you leave the property and repair will take days, ask a plumber about draining the system.
- If a pipe has already frozen, warm it gently with a hair dryer. Never use an open flame.
What to tell the heating provider
- System type (gas furnace, oil, electric furnace, heat pump, boiler) and approximate age.
- What happens: nothing at all, clicking, blower runs but air is cold, starts and stops, error code or blinking light.
- What you already checked.
- Whether anyone in the home is at higher risk from cold.
When you call 833-877-1717, RepairNowUSA looks for a participating independent heating provider in your area. The provider confirms timing and price with you.
How RepairNowUSA can help
Call 833-877-1717 and describe what is happening and the property ZIP code. RepairNowUSA looks for a participating independent provider for that kind of work in your area and connects you if one is available. The provider confirms timing, scope and price with you and does the work. Availability and response times vary and are not guaranteed.
Call 833-877-1717Common questions
Why is my furnace blowing cold air?
Common causes are a thermostat set to "fan on", a dirty filter causing overheating shutdowns, a failed igniter or flame sensor, a blocked condensate drain, or blocked vent pipes on high-efficiency furnaces. If it continues after basic checks, it needs a technician.
Is it safe to keep resetting the furnace?
Try once. A furnace that keeps locking out is protecting itself from a fault, and repeated resets can make some problems worse. Leave it off and call for service.
How cold is too cold inside a house?
There is no single number, but indoor temperatures in the low 60s and below raise health risks for infants, older adults and people with some medical conditions, and very cold rooms raise the risk of frozen pipes. Many guides suggest keeping the heat at 55°F or higher to protect pipes.
Can I use my oven to heat the house?
No. Gas ovens and ranges can produce carbon monoxide, and electric ovens are a fire risk when left open. Use safe space heaters and warm clothing instead.
Can I call at night?
Yes. You can call 833-877-1717 at any time, including nights, weekends and holidays. Whether an independent provider can come out right away depends on your ZIP code, the time and provider capacity, so availability is not guaranteed.
Authoritative references
These public sources give general safety context. They do not replace an on-site evaluation, and RepairNowUSA does not perform the work.