7 Easy Ways to Heat Your House If the Furnace Goes Out – Stave Off Chills and Discomfort
Whilst waiting for a permanent fix from a technician, try these short-term tweaks and consider longer-term insulation advice from the pros
Lola Houlton
During the coldest months of the year, furnaces are prone to going out and pesky breakdowns. With snowstorms and extreme cold affecting many parts of the US, heating systems are working overtime, increasing the risk of outages due to wear, poor maintenance, or weather-related power loss.
Regardless of the cause, it’s essential to keep your home warm and safe while you wait for repairs.
Heating Your House When the Furnace Goes Out
Rinkesh Kukreja, founder of Conserve Energy Future, says, 'While a furnace going out is never convenient, especially in the winter, some alternative heating sources can take the edge off the cold until you can fix or replace your furnace, in addition to changing our behaviors to help conserve the heat you do have.'
I've recently been coping with a broken boiler and managed to stay warm, so I have hope that you can still stay warm without turning the heat up.
1. Use Alternative Heating Sources
If you have a fire, light it now. Keep the room's door closed to conserve heat to a smaller space that's easier to warm.
As extreme snow and subfreezing temperatures continue to impact much of the US, localized heating can help you stay comfortable in the rooms you use most.
Focus on heating smaller, well-insulated spaces and keep doors closed to trap warmth where you need it. This approach is especially effective during prolonged cold snaps when conserving heat matters most. You can also use fast-delivery Amazon draft stoppers that have washable covers under doors to further keep the chill out, and the heat in,
Hooking up a generator can provide temporary power for electric heaters or other essential heating appliances during weather-related outages and further prepare your home for extreme weather.
'However, it's important to note that portable generators are not designed to take over your home's circuitry,' says Shlomo Cherniak, owner of Cherniak Handyman Services. 'They are typically used to power individual appliances through their outlets.'
If you have access to electricity, affordable and chic portable space heaters, such as the Dreo 1500W space heater at Amazon, can deliver targeted warmth in specific rooms. A gas, electric, or wood-burning fireplace can also serve as a reliable heat source during winter storms, if available.
Safety is critical when using any alternative heating method. Keep heaters away from flammable materials, never leave them unattended, ensure proper ventilation, and confirm that all equipment is in good working condition. If you use an extension cord, make sure it is rated to handle the power draw of your heater, as overloaded cords can quickly become a fire hazard.
'However, these heaters consume much energy when used as the only source of heat, so consider the tips below to stay warm when the heating is out,' advises Keith Wortsmith, president of DASH Heating & Cooling.
2. Insulate Your Home with Decor
Layering window treatments helps trap warm air or stop cold air transferring into the rest of the space easily.
As winter storms and extreme cold continue to settle across much of the US, simple adjustments inside your home can help preserve warmth when temperatures drop overnight.
'There are adjustments you can make to a room using furnishings to insulate your space,' explains Traci Fournier, vice president of Operations for One Hour Heating & Air.'Try laying out an area rug on hardwood surfaces, especially if you have wooden floors that typically have small cracks, or use heavier drapes to keep the warm air in at night.'
You could also consider draping fabric, such as decorative rugs, on walls and placing bookshelves and cabinets against them to add an extra layer of insulation.
'You can also move your furniture around so that you sit near interior walls instead of exterior ones,' adds Traci Fournier. 'This will help keep you warmer while also creating a more intimate space.'
3. Maximize Sunlight During the Day
Leave shutters and curtains open when sunshine is flowing into a room as a natural way to heat up the space.
During snowy days and clear, cold mornings that often follow winter storms, it’s especially helpful to take advantage of any natural heat available.
Maximize natural heat by increasing natural light in your home. Keep curtains open during the day to allow sunlight in and incorporate reflective surfaces into your home decor.
Consider rearranging smaller furniture, such as armchairs, so you are able to sit in the sunlight to help you stay warm. Just remember to close curtains in the evening to help insulate the room and keep the warmth inside as temperatures drop after sunset.
Once the sun passes, consider closing shutters and curtains, and closing the internal door to trap the heat in.
4. Utilize Heat from Appliances Safely
Never leave your oven door open when it's running for safety. Make use of the ambient heat and when you switch it off, leave the door ajar.
As winter storms bring record cold and heavy snow across much of the US, everyday activities in your home can help generate extra warmth when the furnace is out.
'Cooking can generate a lot of warmth,' says Keith Wortsmith. 'Using your oven and stove to make meals can help increase the temperature in your kitchen and surrounding area.'
Seasonal baking and winter comfort cooking such as winter pie recipes, are especially effective right now, as hearty meals not only warm your home but lift spirits during prolonged cold snaps. Always remember basic safety: Never leave the oven or stove unattended, and keep flammable materials away from heat sources. Only open the door of the oven to enjoy the ambient heat once the appliance is switched off. Leaving the door open while the oven is on is a carbon monoxide and fire risk.'
'Your clothes dryer can also add warmth to your home. Knock out all your laundry while you wait for the HVAC technician to arrive,' advises Shlomo Cherniak. 'The heat generated by the dryer can help increase the temperature in your home temporarily.'
Make sure the dryer vent is clear and lint-free to prevent fire hazards, especially when using it more frequently during these chilly winter days.
If you have a heated electric drying rack or towel warmer available at Amazon, this can also add to your daily comfort while the furnace is out.
5. Insulate and Seal Drafts
Blocking cold drafts will help you stay warm while the furnace is out.
Insulating your home is the best way to retain heat. Consider weatherproofing your windows and insulating your attic and walls if they aren’t already.
Additionally, DIY draft-proofing your home is easy, fast, and can be a great way to prevent heat loss and cold air from entering.
'Use weatherstripping, draft stoppers, or plastic window insulation kits to seal any gaps around windows and doors,' advises Shlomo Cherniak. 'This can help prevent cold air from entering and warm air from escaping, improving the overall efficiency of your heating efforts.'
I added adhesive foam roller draft stoppers I bought from Amazon to my entryway door and internal living room door, and it stopped the annoying chill that was undoing our work elsewhere to stay warm.
If you don't want to invest in a draft stopper, you can make your own using household items. Keith Wortsmith says: 'For this, use DIY draft blockers or rolled-up towels under doors or on window sills to stop cold air from coming in and warm air from escaping.'
Padded winter jackets, as well as down duvets and wool clothing, can also work in a pinch.
'Furthermore, taping heavy-duty aluminum foil to your windows, reflective side out, can also help reflect heat into your room.'
Alternatively, you can use an easy-to-install Frost King window insulation kit, to reduce up to 35% of the usual heat loss through your windows. This still allows for visibility and light to enter the room. You can also easily plug any nuisance window drafts with crackproof silicone or silicone weatherstripping tape.
6. Seal Unused Rooms
If possible, members of your household should gather in one room where your heating efforts are concentrated.
During extreme winter weather and ongoing snowstorms across the US, keeping your home warm efficiently when a furnace is out of action is more important than ever.
'Close the doors to unused rooms in your home to prevent heat from escaping and concentrate heat in the occupied areas,' advises Shlomo Cherniak. 'This can help conserve heat and make it easier to maintain a comfortable temperature in the occupied areas.'
This is especially important for rooms with chimneys that aren’t in use, as they can draw warm air out of your home and lower the temperature in nearby spaces.
Encourage household members to stay in one or two well-insulated rooms, closing doors to funnel warmth where it’s needed most.
You can add the temporary barriers mentioned earlier, such as draft stoppers, at the bottom of doors, to prevent heat from seeping out, making it easier to stay cozy during prolonged cold snaps.
Layering your clothing and wearing natural insulators such as wool will also help. The key thing I have used this month, when my boiler broke, and which was a saving grace for comfort, was a long, fleece-lined hoody blanket, available at Amazon.
7. Reverse Your Fan
If you have a ceiling fan, reverse it for winter.
'If your ceiling fan has a reverse switch, use it,' says Keith Wortsmith, president of DASH Heating & Cooling. 'By reversing the direction of the blades to clockwise rotation, the fan will push warm air that's risen to the ceiling back down into the room.'
You can also open cabinets under sinks to prevent pipes from freezing in unheated spots. Leaks, whether slow or extreme, are a common risk of extreme cold weather, so dripping faucets and keeping pipes insulated are key home maintenance tasks to avoid costly headaches later.
What to Shop
This compact heater warms you in seconds and comes with a remote control. It also has an eight-layer safety system and is whisper-quiet. Place on a flat surface, never run unattended, and keep it away from curtains and loose pr flammable materials.
I swear by this heatpad and have three of them in my home, which I use year-round for chronic pain. It's great for making you immediately warm and soothing joints that are really feeling the cold in your house.
Usually, draftstoppers are recommended for gaps up to one inch by experts; however, this thick and tall one with a washable cover is suitable for gaps up to three inches. Plugging gaps under doors will stop cold drafts from sneaking in.
This super soft and cozy fleece no-pilling set is available in 15 colors and nine size options, helping you pick warming bedding that matches your bedroom's aesthetic. It is also safe to machine wash and dry on low temperatures.
If your heating is off and you don't have any hot water from a furnace breakdown, it's doubly important to protect your exposed pipes indoors and outdoors to prevent any freezing inside that would lead to leaks. These are quick to install and fit 3/4-inch pipes.
This heated electric throw blanket is available in seven colors and is the perfect cozy antidote to a home with a broken boiler. Use it to snuggle under the sofa, or to layer up your bedding. For safety, the auto-shut off function kicks in after three hours.
It's important to remember that many of these measures are only intended as short-term solutions. Furnace maintenance is essential, and you must have your furnace repaired by a qualified professional as soon as possible to ensure the long-term safety and comfort of your home.
If you've been hit doubly hard by the extreme weather, learn how to keep warm if your power is out.
