A furnace that quits on a freezing night is more than an annoyance. Right Now offers emergency heating repair for homes in Boise, ID and the other Idaho and eastern Washington areas the team serves. Calls are answered live 24/7, so you can reach a real person at any hour. Call (208) 738-5175 to get a heating technician on the way.
Emergency service covers gas furnaces, electric furnaces, heat pumps and other home heating systems. Right Now offers a full range of heating services, from tune-ups to replacements. When the heat is out, the goal is simple. Find the problem fast and get your home warm again.
When No Heat Becomes an Emergency
Not every heating issue needs a late night call. Some situations should not wait until morning, such as:
- No heat at all when temperatures drop below freezing
- A home with babies, older adults or anyone with health concerns
- A furnace that shuts off and will not restart
- A burning smell or smoke from the furnace or vents
- A carbon monoxide alarm that sounds
Cold indoor air can become a health risk within hours in an Idaho winter. Pipes can also freeze when a home loses heat for too long. If you are unsure whether your situation is urgent, call anyway. The person who answers can help you decide.
Safety First: Carbon Monoxide and Gas Smells
Some heating problems are safety emergencies first. If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, get everyone outside right away. Call 911 from outside the home. Do not go back in until responders say it is safe.
If you smell gas, leave the home without using light switches or phones inside. Call your gas utility or 911 from a safe distance. Once the area is safe, a Right Now technician can inspect the furnace. Learn more about carbon monoxide safety and how to protect your family.
Quick Checks Before the Technician Arrives
A few simple checks can sometimes bring the heat back on. These checks also give the technician useful clues. Try these steps only if you feel safe doing so.
Check the Thermostat
Make sure the thermostat is set to heat and set above room temperature. Replace the batteries if the screen is blank. A dead thermostat is a common cause of a no heat call.
Check the Breaker and Furnace Switch
Look for a tripped breaker labeled furnace or HVAC. Also check the switch near the furnace, which often looks like a light switch. Someone may have turned it off by accident.
Check the Filter
A badly clogged filter can make a furnace overheat and shut down. Swap in a clean filter if the old one looks gray or packed with dust.
Check Outdoor Vent Pipes
Many high efficiency furnaces vent through plastic pipes on an outside wall. Snow and ice can block those pipes and shut the furnace off. Gently clear any snow from around the pipes. Check again after each big storm, since drifts can build up overnight.
If the heat still does not come on, stop there. Do not take the furnace apart or reset it again and again. Call (208) 738-5175 and let a technician take over.
Heating Systems Right Now Repairs
Right Now technicians work on the heating systems found in homes across the region. Each type fails in its own way.
Gas furnaces often stop because of a failed igniter, flame sensor, pressure switch or blower motor. Learn more about furnace repair from Right Now.
Heat pumps can struggle in deep cold or get stuck in defrost. Some stop because of a refrigerant leak or a failed outdoor fan. See heat pump repair for details.
Electric furnaces rely on heating elements, sequencers and relays. A failed element can leave you with cool air from the vents. Right Now also offers electric furnace repair for all electric homes.
Protect Your Pipes While the Heat Is Out
A home without heat can drop below freezing inside on a bitter night. Pipes in outside walls, garages and crawl spaces freeze first. While you wait for the technician, open cabinet doors under sinks to let warmer air reach the pipes. Let a faucet drip on the coldest walls.
If a pipe has already frozen, do not use an open flame to thaw it. Right Now plumbers can help with frozen pipes too. For a step by step plan, read what to do when your furnace fails in winter.
