The colder temperatures of winter have arrived, but you are safe and warm in your comfortable home. Unfortunately, that comfort is interrupted when your furnace suddenly stops working. Instead of panicking, there are several steps you can take to ensure your furnace starts working again and your family stays safe.

Here are a few steps you need to take immediately if your furnace goes out during subzero temperatures.

Look for Easy Solutions

Before you contact an HVAC professional, check for some easy solutions as to why your furnace suddenly stopped working. Begin with your thermostat. Check to see the setting on the thermostat and if you need to replace the batteries. If the thermostat is in working order, head to your basement or garage to check the breaker.

Locate the breaker box and the breaker associated with your furnace. Next, check if your breaker is tripped is to first flip the breaker to the "Off" position and quickly to the "On" position. If the breaker continues to trip or if your furnace breaker was never the problem, you will need to contact a professional for more assistance.

Contact a Professional

Call an HVAC professional immediately, if you have exhausted the simple reasons why your furnace turned off and will not run. Never attempt to repair your furnace on your own. Your furnace is a complicated appliance, and you might wind up making the issue even worse or you can even harm yourself in the process.

Stay Warm

Depending upon the outdoor temperatures and the amount of time it will take for the HVAC professional to repair your furnace, you could be stuck inside your cold house for several hours or even days. If you are staying home for a few hours, here are a few simple ways you can stay warm:

• Seal off a single room. Shut the door to a single room and remain inside. Cover the doorway with a sheet, tablecloth, or shower curtain for another layer of protection. The heat will escape more slowly out of the room and you will remain warm while you wait.
• Cook a big meal. Turn on the oven and start cooking your favorite meals. Not only will the oven's heat keep you warm, but you will also warm up by consuming hot foods.
• Dress in layers. Put on several layers of clothing and stay warm under several blankets.
• Use space heaters cautiously. Never use a gasoline- or propane-powered space heater indoors, as this places your family at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. Instead, run a space heater rated for indoor use according to the manufacturer's instructions.

If your HVAC technician is delayed or the part for your furnace will take several days to arrive, do not stay in your home, especially if you are experiencing subzero temperatures. Instead, stay with a friend or family member or in a hotel.

Protect Your Home from Damage

Finally, if your furnace will remain inactive for several hours or days, protecting your property is critical, especially in subzero temperatures. For example, pipes can freeze and burst very quickly, and cause some serious and financially devastating damage. Turn the faucets on to a trickle throughout your home to keep water moving through the pipes.

Moving water is less prone to freezing, which will protect the pipes from damage. Do not allow your pets to remain inside your home if the furnace isn't running. Cover any plants and if necessary, take the indoor plants to a friend's home while the furnace is being repaired.

A broken furnace during subzero temperatures can be potentially devastating to your family and home. Luckily, there are several simple steps you can take to ensure your furnace is repaired as quickly as possible. Contact heating services to learn more.