What should you do in the first hour?
Start by checking the simple things: the thermostat settings and batteries, the breaker or fuse, the fuel supply and whether a switch near the unit has been turned off. If you smell gas or fuel, leave the house, call 911 and the gas supplier from outside, and do not touch light switches.
Write down any error codes or unusual noises. Call your heating professional early, since winter repair calls fill up quickly, especially during a cold snap.
If the unit is old, it may be tempting to reset it again and again. Repeated resets can hide a safety problem, so after one try, wait for a technician.
- Thermostat, batteries and settings
- Breaker, fuse and switches
- Fuel level in the tank
- Leave the house if you smell gas
How do you stay warm safely?
Close doors to rooms you do not need and gather in one space. Wear layers and hats, and use blankets. Cover windows with heavy curtains. Eat and drink regularly, since your body needs fuel to stay warm.
Check on anyone who is older, very young or ill. Cold can become dangerous quickly, and signs such as confusion, shivering that will not stop, or drowsiness call for medical help. Call 911 in an emergency.
If you use a wood stove or fireplace as a backup, make sure the chimney has been inspected and cleaned, and never leave a fire unattended or go to sleep with one burning.
What are the carbon monoxide dangers?
Never use a charcoal grill, a camp stove, an oven or a generator indoors for heat. Carbon monoxide has no smell and can cause serious harm or death before people realize it. Keep a working carbon monoxide alarm on each level of your home and test it.
If the alarm sounds or anyone has headache, dizziness, nausea or confusion, get everyone outside to fresh air and call 911. The CDC has plain information on carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Alarms with fresh batteries
- Fuel-burning devices only as the maker intends
- Fresh air first, then call 911
- Have chimneys and flues checked by a professional
How do you protect pipes while the house is cold?
Pipes freeze when indoor temperatures fall, especially along exterior walls and in crawl spaces. Open cabinet doors under sinks, let faucets drip if advised in your area, and keep your pump house or barn pipes protected.
If you have to leave the house for a while, ask a plumber how to drain the system. Know your main shutoff location. If a pipe freezes, thaw it gently and never use an open flame.
Keep your animals in mind as well. Water lines in barns freeze first, so check troughs and heated buckets and plan on hauling water if lines are frozen.
Who do you call?
Call a licensed heating professional for furnaces, boilers, heat pumps and wood or pellet systems. For propane or fuel oil, call your supplier, who may also check for leaks. If you rent, call your landlord.
If the outage lasts and you cannot keep warm, ask your county emergency management office about warming centers or shelters. Local community groups and churches sometimes help as well.
What help is available for repair costs?
Heating repairs can be expensive. Some states and counties run energy assistance or weatherization programs, and USDA Rural Development may have home repair programs in some areas. Rules and funding change, so contact the agencies directly and ask about current options.
Keep receipts and invoices, and ask your insurance agent whether any part of the loss is covered.
Ask your supplier about payment plans and emergency delivery. Tell them if someone in the home has health needs, since some suppliers and utilities prioritize those households.
- Energy assistance offices
- Weatherization programs
- Supplier payment plans
How do you prevent the next failure?
Have heating equipment serviced each year before winter, replace filters and keep the area around the unit clear. Know how much fuel you have and order early. Keep a backup heat source that is safe for indoor use, and know how to use it.
Seal drafts, add insulation where you can, and keep warm clothing, blankets and water on hand. Keep a list of heating professionals and the supplier's number near the phone.
- Annual service before winter
- Order fuel early
- Seal drafts and insulate
- Keep blankets and water ready
- Test alarms in the fall
Key takeaways
- Check thermostat, power and fuel, and leave the house if you smell gas.
- Never use grills, camp stoves or engines indoors to heat.
- Protect pipes and call a licensed heating professional early.
- Ask local agencies about warming centers and repair assistance.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Rural Farm Life Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.