When your heat stops working in the middle of a Southeastern Pennsylvania winter, the temperature inside your home can drop faster than you think. In Chester County, Montgomery County, and Delaware County, frigid nights can put your family at risk for frozen pipes, health concerns, and plenty of discomfort.
This guide walks you through what to do when your heating system fails, how to stay safe and warm, and why Reliance Heating & Air Conditioning is the local 24-hour HVAC company you can trust to restore your comfort – fast.
Step 1: Stay Calm and Check for Safety Issues
Your first priority, like ours, is safety. Here are steps you should take if your heat goes out or you notice issues with your heating.
If you smell gas, evacuate immediately, call 911 or your gas company, and wait for clearance before re-entering. There is extreme danger in a gas leak and only a professional should handle this situation.
If your carbon monoxide alarm sounds, get everyone outside and contact emergency services. Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas but is not detectable through scent.
If you see sparks or smell burning, turn off your HVAC system at the breaker box.
Step 2: Shut Down the System Safely
Once you've confirmed there's no immediate danger like a gas leak or electrical hazard, your next move is to shut your heating system down.
Why? Because if a part inside your furnace or heat pump is failing – like a blower motor, ignition system, or control board – running it could make the damage worse. You might turn what could have been a quick fix into a costly repair.
Every modern HVAC system has at least three ways to power down:
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Thermostat: Switch it to "Off" to stop the system from trying to run.
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Circuit breaker: Find the breaker labeled "Furnace," "Air Handler," or "HVAC" in your electrical panel and flip it to the "Off" position.
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Emergency shut-off switch: Often located on the wall near the unit, this red switch works like a light switch to cut power instantly.
Our technicians will always verify the system is safely powered down before working on it, but taking this step ahead of time protects your equipment until we get there.
Step 3: Try Simple Troubleshooting (If It's Safe)
Before you call for service, and if you're comfortable doing so, there are a few quick checks you can do that might get your heat running again without a repair visit. Many heating breakdowns in the middle of winter are caused by something small – a thermostat setting, a tripped breaker, or a dirty air filter.
Here's why these are worth checking:
Thermostat settings can get changed accidentally, especially if you have kids in the house or recently adjusted the schedule. A low battery can also cause the system to stop responding.
Air filters that are clogged with dust can trigger safety sensors that shut the system down to prevent overheating.
Circuit breakers sometimes trip from power surges, cutting power to the furnace or heat pump entirely.
Blocked vents or returns can restrict airflow so much that the system shuts itself off to prevent damage.
If you can fix one of these simple issues yourself, you might restore heat in minutes. If not, you'll at least be able to tell your HVAC technician exactly what you've already tried, which can help speed up their diagnosis.
Step 4: Call a Local 24-Hour HVAC Company
For fast emergency HVAC repair in Southeastern Pennsylvania, call Reliance Heating & Air Conditioning. We serve homeowners in towns such as West Chester, Downingtown, Exton, Coatesville, Malvern, and surrounding areas — day or night.
When you call, be ready to share: your system type (gas, heat pump, boiler), what symptoms you've noticed, and any troubleshooting you've already tried. This helps your technician arrive prepared to fix the problem quickly.
Step 5: Stay Warm While You Wait
Once you've called for help, your job is to keep your home as warm as possible until the technician arrives. Small changes can make a big difference. Close off unused rooms so you're only heating the spaces you're using, put on extra layers, and pile on blankets to trap body heat. If you notice a chilly draft sneaking in from a window or door, roll up a towel or use a blanket to block it.
If you have a space heater, set it up in the main living area and follow all safety guidelines. Some of those guidelines include: keep it on a flat surface, at least three feet away from anything flammable, and never leave it running unattended. These simple steps can keep the cold at bay and make your home much more comfortable while you wait.
Step 6: What to Expect from Your Technician
When your Reliance Heating & Air Conditioning technician arrives, they'll get right to work. First, they'll listen to what happened, including sounds, smells, or behaviors you have noticed, and inspect your system to pinpoint the cause of the breakdown.
Whenever possible, we make repairs on the spot so you're not left waiting in the cold. We also check for any safety hazards, like carbon monoxide leaks, that could put your family at risk. Once your heat is back on, we'll walk you through what caused the problem and recommend any maintenance steps to help prevent it from happening again. Our goal isn't just to fix today's issue – it's to make sure your system runs safely and reliably all winter long.
Quick Reference: Winter HVAC Emergency Steps
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Check for safety hazards and evacuate if needed.
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Shut down your system to prevent further damage.
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Troubleshoot with safe and simple methods.
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Call Reliance Heating & Air Conditioning – we're available 24/7.
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Keep warm until help arrives with blankets, layers, and safe supplemental heat.
Why Southeastern PA Homeowners Rely on Reliance
When your heating system fails, you need more than just any HVAC company. You need one that understands Pennsylvania winters, responds quickly, and puts your family's safety first.
Reliance Heating & Air Conditioning is proud to be your local emergency HVAC expert, serving Chester, Montgomery, and Delaware counties. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and we arrive ready to solve the problem, not simply diagnose it. Our team combines technical expertise with clear, friendly communication, so you always understand what's happening and what it will take to restore your comfort.
Because we live and work here too, we treat every customer like a neighbor. In Southeastern Pennsylvania, you truly are.
Emergency HVAC FAQs
We offer true 24/7 service. In most cases, a Reliance technician can arrive the same night.
Yes. We repair gas furnaces, heat pumps, boilers, and more, regardless of brand or age.
Regular maintenance is the best prevention. Our annual heating tune-ups help spot small issues before they become major repairs.
We serve homes and businesses in Chester, Montgomery, and Delaware counties, including West Chester, Downingtown, Exton, Coatesville, Malvern, and surrounding communities.
Contact Reliance today for all your heating and air conditioning needs!
Financing available, contact us for more details.
