My Heat isn't Working! Next Steps & Backup Plans

Tis’ the Season! It’s that special time of year when we hope to find ourselves settled in on the couch, sipping hot cocoa, maybe web-browsing for the perfect gift or watching our favorite holiday movies…It’s a picture perfect scene, until: A chill starts to creep in. The thermostat shows an eight degree drop. What’s going on?

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Finding out that your heat isn’t working can be a frustrating and anxiety-provoking experience for homeowners. Luckily, you don’t have to figure it out alone. With the support of online resources (like this article) and guidance from local heating experts (that’s us!), the handling of this stressful situation can be broken down into simple, manageable steps. 

Let’s find out what strategies our specialists recommend for homeowners dealing with a failed heating system. 

Initial Troubleshooting | ‘Are you sure it’s plugged in?’

Upon first encountering signs that your boiler/furnace has stopped working, you’ll want to run some basic checks. These are the most preliminary issues that could be interfering with the operation of your heating system, which usually do not require professional skills to remedy. Our team recommends:

• Making sure the thermostat is set to heat

• Changing the batteries in the thermostat if necessary

• Making sure the main switch (pictured) is on 

• For Furnaces: Inspecting and changing the air filters if necessary

Though these steps may seem a little obvious, it never hurts to quickly double check before calling in a service pro.

Next Steps | Gathering Information

If your system passes all of the initial tests and is still not working, it may be time to reach out for help. But before you call, it can be helpful to collect more details about the nature of the issue; This way you can calmly and accurately communicate what's going on to your local heating service company. Here's what we recommend looking for:

• For High Efficiency Systems: Error Codes

One of the benefits of having a system with more advanced technology from brands like Navien and Rinnai is their error code system. When a high efficiency unit senses a specific malfunction, it will present a corresponding number on the display window. This number is especially helpful to our heating technicians because it expedites the diagnostic process and allows them to fully prepare for the precise issue at hand, before ever setting foot on the job site. Thanks to the folks over at Free Boiler Manuals, you can even find a complete online list of Navien boiler error codes, although we would always advise consulting a professional before making any changes yourself.

• Watch for Warning Signs

If your home uses a traditional boiler or other traditional system, narrowing down the issue may require slightly more detective work on the homeowner's side, but it is still possible! Here are the questions that we typically ask customers who call in with heating issues and aren't sure where to start:

• Is your system making any unusual noises? Loud clanging, clanking, and hissing are symptoms of further underlying issues.

• Is there a smell emanating from the unit? A burning dust smell could indicate excessive dust buildup, for example, while a rotten egg smell is a sign of a natural gas leak (which warrants calling 911 or your gas company emergency line and immediate evacuation of the property).

• Have you noticed an increase in energy bill costs? If the issue has been ongoing or progressively worsening, it may be reflected in your monthly energy expenses.

Reaching Out | Getting Professional Assistance

As the experts on heating repair service for boilers, J. Griffin Heating, Plumbing & Cooling is ready to step in when you need us! Contact our team of real human dispatchers and technicians (no chatbots here!) at (781) 521-9611 or fill out our online booking form. We are heating specialists with extensive expertise in working with both high-efficiency AND standard systems, servicing the North-of-Boston area with pride and professionalism each day.

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What to Do in the Meantime

While we strive to connect customers with a technician as soon as possible, extremely low temperatures can occasionally create overlapping emergencies. Our technicians must prioritize safety, operating with both efficiency and attention to detail, so a short wait for the next customer is sometimes unavoidable. In these very rare instances, we recommend:

• Keeping all windows and doors closed, and even covering them with towels/blankets to stop drafts if needed

• Using space heaters safely (as directed and with caution)

• Using a fireplace or woodstove

• NOT running a kitchen stove or other appliance for heat (even electric stoves) as it can create a fire hazard

• Wearing layers (sweaters, sleeping bags, thermal clothing)

Once your technician arrives and diagnoses the issue, you can expect them to relay a simple but thorough explanation of why your heating system has failed. They will discuss your available solutions, providing adept insights while working collaboratively with you as a homeowner to determine next steps. Possible outcomes could range from performing a five-minute fix to installing a new system (less common). Either way, the J. Griffin team is here to address heating troubles with your specific needs/goals in mind, bringing comfort and warmth back to your home promptly and professionally, as always.

We hope you found these tips helpful today; Be sure to explore our other blog posts for more advice, expert opinions, and all the latest J. Griffin news.

Thanks for reading and stay warm!