Has it happened to you yet this winter? The wind is howling, and the snow is blowing. Suddenly the lights start to flicker and then your Illinois or Northwest Indiana home is plunged into darkness by a power outage. Hopefully, it will only last an hour or two…this time. Most of us can cope with the darkness by using flashlights and lanterns, but when the power outage knocks the furnace for a loop, things can get uncomfortable in a hurry.
Restarting Your Furnace
Many times, a furnace will start operating normally as soon as the power comes back on, but if that doesn’t happen here are some simple things to try:
- Check the thermostat—This is a good first step. Power outages can do funny things to digital thermostats. Make sure it has turned back on and all the settings are correct. You may have to go through a setup process to make sure it’s working.
- Inspect the circuit breakers—Sometimes the breakers can trip during a power outage. Look closely at the breakers controlling the furnace and reset them as needed.
- Reset button—The furnace can also trip its reset button when there is a power outage. It’s usually a red or yellow button located inside the blower compartment near the motor. When it’s tripped it pops up. Push and hold the button for a few seconds. NOTE: Do NOT push the button more than once as that could engage a safety lockout function which means you won’t be able to restart the furnace.
- Call the pros—If the furnace still won’t operate, then it’s time to call for help from Merts Heating & Air Conditioning. Our technicians can almost always locate and fix the problem quickly.
Consider a Permanent Solution
Instead of worrying about power outages every time a storm rolls through Illinois and Northwest Indiana, which can be about every-other week, why not invest in a permanent solution. We’re talking about whole-house generators to keep the lights on and your house warm. Merts features made in America Briggs and Stratton generators. When professionally installed, these generators will start automatically when the power goes out and shut down when electrical service is restored. So even if you are at work when the power goes out, your house will be nice and warm when you come home.
We Are Here to Help
Call Merts Heating & Air Conditioning now to learn more about how generators can make your life more worry-free. Especially if the household includes anyone who is very young, elderly, or has health problems. For more great information like this be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.