Emergency Furnace Repair in Maine: What to Do When Your Heat Goes Out
Your furnace stops working at 11pm in January. Here's exactly what to check before calling — and what to do to protect your family and home while you wait for a technician.
Before you call, there are a handful of quick checks that fix a surprising number of "furnace not working" situations — and they'll take less than ten minutes.
Check the thermostat
Make sure it's set to 'Heat' (not 'Cool' or 'Off'), set above the current room temperature, and has working batteries if it's battery-powered. Many 'no-heat' calls are simply a thermostat in the wrong mode.
Check the air filter
A severely clogged filter restricts airflow so badly that the furnace's high-limit switch trips to prevent overheating — shutting the whole system down. Pull the filter and hold it up to a light. If you can't see light through it, replace it and reset the breaker.
Check the circuit breaker
Find your electrical panel and look for any tripped breakers (a tripped breaker sits halfway between on and off). Flip it fully off, then back on. If it trips again immediately, stop — call an electrician.
Check the emergency shutoff switch
Most furnaces have a red emergency shutoff switch on the wall near the unit or at the top of the stairs leading to the basement. It looks like a regular light switch. Make sure it's in the 'on' position.
Check the flue/exhaust pipe
On high-efficiency furnaces, the exhaust pipe exits through a wall near the ground. In winter, this pipe can get blocked by a snow drift. Clear any snow from around the intake and exhaust pipes.
If none of that works — call us
At this point the problem requires diagnosis: a failed ignitor, flame sensor, heat exchanger, control board, or other component. Call (207) 441-5820. We prioritize no-heat emergencies.
How to Stay Warm While Waiting for a Technician
Space heaters. Electric space heaters (1,500W ceramic models) can effectively warm a room. Close off rooms you're not using and focus heat on bedrooms and common areas. Don't leave them unattended and keep them away from flammable materials.
Keep interior doors closed. Heat rooms one at a time rather than trying to heat the whole house with a space heater. Close doors to unused rooms.
Protect your pipes. Falling indoor temperatures can put plumbing at risk. Ask a plumber or local authority for guidance appropriate to the building and conditions, and move to a safe warm location when necessary.
If you smell gas — leave immediately. Don't flip any switches. Exit the home, call 911 and your gas company from outside. Do not re-enter until cleared.
What the Technician Will Check
When we arrive for a no-heat call, our diagnosis follows a standard flow:
- Confirm thermostat is calling for heat and 24V signal is reaching the furnace
- Check inducer motor — it runs first in the startup sequence
- Check ignitor — a failed hot-surface ignitor is the most common furnace failure
- Check flame sensor — a dirty or failed flame sensor causes ignition to shut off after a few seconds
- Check heat exchanger for cracks — a cracked heat exchanger is a safety issue requiring replacement
- Check control board and pressure switches if above checks pass
Some furnace failures involve common service components, while others require more extensive diagnosis. Repair cost and timing depend on the cause, equipment, parts availability, and site conditions; request a service estimate before authorizing work.
When Repair Doesn't Make Sense
If your furnace has had multiple failures, or if the heat exchanger is cracked, compare repair and replacement based on condition, safety, parts availability, manufacturer guidance, and a project-specific estimate rather than age alone.
Furnace not working?
We serve Central Maine and prioritize no-heat emergencies. Call now or request service online.