No heat in winter: what to check before you call

Quick answer

If you smell gas or a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, get everyone outside and call for help from there. Otherwise, check the thermostat settings and the air filter, keep pipes from freezing, and stay warm safely while you wait for an HVAC technician.

Safety first: If you smell gas, leave immediately without touching switches or anything that could spark, and call 911 or your gas utility from outside. If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds or people feel dizzy, nauseous or headachy, get outside and call 911.

What to do now

  1. Smell gas? Leave first. Leave the building immediately. Do not touch light switches, phones, or anything that could cause a spark, and call 911 or your gas utility once you are outside. Source: Gas Emergencies - National Grid
  2. Take any carbon monoxide alarm seriously. If you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning or hear a CO alarm, get outside immediately, then call 911. Source: CPSC Winter Storm Safety Tips on Carbon Monoxide and Fires
  3. Check the thermostat and the filter. Confirm the thermostat settings are correct. A dirty filter can damage heating equipment, so check whether it needs to be cleaned or replaced. Source: Maintenance Checklist - ENERGY STAR
  4. Never heat with the stove or oven. Do not use a gas stove or oven to heat your home; it increases your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Generators belong outdoors, at least 20 feet from windows, doors and attached garages. Source: Power Outages - Ready.gov
  5. Use space heaters carefully. Keep space heaters at least 3 feet from beds, curtains, papers and furniture, and plug them directly into a wall outlet, never a power strip. Source: CPSC Winter Storm Safety Tips on Carbon Monoxide and Fires
  6. Protect your pipes. Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors so warmer air reaches the plumbing, and know where your main water valve is in case a frozen pipe has already cracked. Source: Winter Storms: Preventing and Thawing Frozen Pipes - Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
  7. Go somewhere warm if it gets too cold. If the cold is extreme, go to a community location that has heat, and check with local officials about warming locations near you. Source: Power Outages - Ready.gov

When to call a professional

Call an HVAC company for a furnace, boiler or heat pump repair. Tell them what kind of system and fuel you have, whether any error lights are showing, and ask whether they can check for carbon monoxide safety while they are there.

Find HVAC companies (427 listed)

Pick your state and city on the directory page, or use the location search at the top of this page, then call a local company directly.

Frequently asked questions

What should I check before calling for repair?

Make sure the thermostat is set correctly and that the air filter is not dirty. Anything beyond that, especially gas, burner or electrical parts, is a job for a technician.

Can I use my oven to warm the house?

No. Ready.gov warns that using a gas stove or oven for heat increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

How can I prevent carbon monoxide problems from my furnace?

The CDC recommends having your heating system, water heater and other fuel-burning appliances serviced by a qualified technician every year, and installing battery-operated or battery backup CO detectors near sleeping areas.

General safety information, not professional advice. In an emergency, call 911. More guides: home emergencies: what to do first.