What to Do When Your Furnace Fails on a Freezing Night

A furnace breakdown during a freezing Ontario night is more than an inconvenience — it can become unsafe very quickly. The temperature inside your home drops fast, stress rises, and you’re left scrambling for solutions. Knowing what to do in the first few minutes can help keep you safe, prevent damage, and restore heat sooner. Here’s a clear, practical guide to follow if your furnace suddenly stops working.

Start by Checking the Simple Things

Before assuming a major failure, check the most common, easily fixable causes. Many furnace “emergencies” come from small issues you can correct on your own.

Check these basic items first:

• Thermostat settings: Make sure it’s set to “heat,” the temperature is higher than room level, and the batteries are not dead.
• Power switch: Furnaces have a switch that looks like a light switch on or near the unit. Make sure it’s set to ON.
• Breaker panel: If the furnace breaker tripped, reset it once. If it trips again, stop — this indicates a deeper electrical problem.
• Air filter: A clogged filter can cause the furnace to overheat and shut down. Replace it if it’s dirty and try restarting the furnace.

These simple checks can solve the problem without needing a service call, so they’re always worth doing right away.

Pay Attention to Strange Sounds or Smells

If the furnace starts but sounds or smells unusual, turn it off immediately.

Problem sounds include:

• Banging
• Grinding
• Repeated clicking
• Booming during startup

Problem smells include:

• A strong burning odour that doesn’t stop after a minute
• Sharp, chemical smells
• The smell of gas — in this case, leave the home immediately and call your gas provider

These are signs of mechanical or safety issues that require professional attention.

Use Safe Ways to Stay Warm

While waiting for help, you’ll want to keep your home as warm as possible — safely.

Safe heating strategies:

• Close doors and windows.
• Seal off unused rooms to conserve heat.
• Use electric space heaters carefully (keep them away from fabric and never leave them unattended).
• Layer up with sweaters, socks, and blankets.
• Use your fireplace if it’s safe and functional.

Never use:

• Ovens or stovetops
• BBQs or outdoor heaters
• Propane appliances indoors
  These methods increase carbon monoxide risk and are extremely dangerous.

Protect Pipes From Freezing

Without heat, your home’s plumbing can become vulnerable to freezing — especially in basements, exterior walls, crawl spaces, and under sinks.

To help prevent frozen pipes:

• Open cabinet doors to allow warm air to reach pipes.
• Keep a slow trickle of water running to maintain movement.
• Place a safe electric heater near vulnerable pipes if necessary.

Catching pipe issues early can prevent major water damage once temperatures rise again.

Know When It’s Time to Call a Professional

If the basic steps don’t bring your furnace back to life, or if anything seems unsafe, you need a trained HVAC technician.

Call a professional if you notice:

• Repeated furnace shutdowns
• Loud or unusual mechanical noises
• Persistent burning or chemical smells
• No warm air from vents
• The furnace runs but blows cold air
• Moisture, rust, or loose wires around the unit

Furnace repairs involve electrical systems, gas lines, and complex components — and DIY attempts can put your home at risk.

Prevent Future Furnace Emergencies

Many mid-winter breakdowns can be avoided with routine maintenance. A fall tune-up allows a technician to clean internal parts, test safety mechanisms, and replace anything worn or failing.

Consider scheduling a replacement if your furnace is:

• 15–20 years old
• Making new or worsening noises
• Requiring frequent repairs
• Struggling to heat consistently
• Increasing your energy bills

Planning ahead is far cheaper and safer than scrambling during a deep freeze.

Energy Clean Home Services: Here When Your Heat Stops Working

A furnace breakdown on a freezing night is stressful, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. At Energy Clean Home Services, our trained and trusted HVAC technicians respond quickly, diagnose issues thoroughly, and restore heat safely. Whether you need urgent repair or want to prevent future emergencies with a maintenance plan, we’re here to protect your comfort and peace of mind.

For fast, reliable service or a free quote, contact us today — or click below to book your appointment.