Of course, your heat decides to stop working on one of the coldest nights of the year.
You turn up the thermostat, wait for that familiar sound of the system kicking on, and… nothing. Meanwhile, the house is getting chillier, and you’re starting to wonder just how many blankets you actually own.
And while Atlanta winters are usually pretty mild compared to other parts of the country, anyone who’s spent a January night here knows temperatures can drop enough to make a house without heat downright uncomfortable.
The good news is that you don’t have to sit around shivering while you figure out your next move. There are a few practical ways to hold on to the warmth you’ve got, keep your family comfortable, and avoid some surprisingly common mistakes when the heat goes out.
So, before you resign yourself to spending the evening wrapped up like a burrito, let’s talk about what actually helps when your heating system isn’t doing its job.
Quick Answer: How Can You Stay Warm When Your Heat Goes Out?
To stay warm when your heat goes out, gather in one room, close doors to unused spaces, block drafts, and wear warm layers. Use blankets, let sunlight warm your home during the day, and consider a portable electric space heater if you can use it safely.
Arrange for heating repairs as soon as possible, and never use an oven, grill, or outdoor heater to heat your home. If indoor temperatures become unsafe, find somewhere warmer to stay.
1. Focus on Keeping One Room Warm
When your heat stops working, trying to keep every room comfortable isn’t particularly useful. Instead, focus on keeping yourself and your family warm in one part of the house.
Choose a room where everyone can comfortably spend time together, preferably one that’s naturally warmer, away from obvious drafts, and has a door you can close.
Then make it your temporary hangout spot.
A few things can help make that space more comfortable:
- Bring everyone together: Gather blankets, pillows, chargers, books, and whatever else you need to settle in. If you’ve got kids, you can even turn it into an impromptu living room campout.
- Block drafts under doors: Roll up a towel and place it along the bottom of a drafty door. It won’t replace proper weatherstripping, but it can help slow down cold air sneaking underneath.
- Close off rooms you aren’t using: This can help limit air movement between warmer and colder areas of the house, especially if you’re using a safe supplemental heat source.
Just remember to keep HVAC vents and return-air grilles unobstructed. You’ll want those clear when your system is running again.
2. Let the Sunshine Do Some of the Work
If your heat goes out during the day, your windows can actually help.
Open curtains and blinds on windows receiving direct sunlight, particularly south-facing windows. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends this approach to help naturally warm your home during winter. Even on a chilly day, sunshine coming through the glass can make a difference.
Once the sun goes down, close those curtains again to help reduce heat loss through the windows.
Have thick curtains? Even better.
And if you notice cold air coming through gaps around windows or exterior doors, use removable draft blockers or weatherstripping where appropriate.
Just don’t cover up windows or doors that you might need to use in an emergency.
3. Warm the People, Not the Whole House
Here’s something that’s easy to forget when the heat quits.
You don’t necessarily need to make the entire room warm to feel warmer yourself. Sometimes, keeping your body comfortable is the more practical approach.
A few things can make a surprisingly big difference:
- Dress in layers: Start with a comfortable base layer, then add a sweatshirt or sweater. Several lighter layers can help trap warmth without making you feel bundled up to the point where you can’t move.
- Pay attention to your hands and feet: Cold floors can make the whole house feel colder, especially if you’re walking around barefoot. Thick socks and slippers help put some insulation between you and that chilly tile or hardwood.
- Use blankets strategically: A blanket tucked around your legs while you’re sitting on the couch can be more useful than one draped loosely over your shoulders.
- Keep moving occasionally: A little light activity can help you feel warmer. Fold some laundry, walk around the house, or tidy up a room. Just avoid strenuous exercise that leaves you sweaty, since damp clothing can make you feel colder afterward.
And if there’s ever been a good excuse to spend the afternoon in your comfiest clothes, this is probably it.
4. Don’t Forget About Warm Food and Drinks
A hot bowl of soup won’t heat your house, but it can certainly make sitting in a chilly one more pleasant.
If you still have electricity, prepare something warm to eat or drink using your kitchen appliances as you normally would. Soup, oatmeal, tea, or hot chocolate are all good options.
Just remember that your stove and oven are for cooking, not heating your home. Never leave the oven door open to warm the kitchen, and don’t run burners simply to generate heat.
That goes for gas appliances in particular, since improper use can create dangerous carbon monoxide exposure.
One more thing worth remembering is to stay hydrated. It’s easy to forget about drinking water when you’re cold, but your body still needs it.
5. If You’re Using a Space Heater, Give It Some Room
A portable electric space heater can help warm a small area while you’re waiting for HVAC service, provided you still have power and use it correctly.
The biggest mistake people make is putting one too close to whatever they’re trying to warm.
Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including curtains, bedding, furniture, and clothing.
A few other rules are worth following:
- Plug it directly into a wall outlet: Never use an extension cord or power strip, since these can overheat.
- Give it a stable spot: Place the heater on a flat, level surface where it won’t get knocked over.
- Keep kids and pets at a safe distance: Curious hands, paws, and wagging tails don’t mix well with hot equipment.
- Turn it off when you’re not around: Never leave a space heater running unattended or while you’re sleeping.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions: Every heater is a little different, so make sure you’re using yours as intended.
And please don’t use a propane patio heater, charcoal grill, camping stove, or outdoor generator inside your home or garage.
Using these appliances indoors can put your family in serious danger. They can start a house fire or release deadly carbon monoxide, an odorless, invisible gas that can cause poisoning and even death before you realize something is wrong.
If you don’t have a safe way to heat the space, it’s better to find somewhere warm to stay.
6. Know When Staying Home Isn’t Worth It
We know. Nobody wants to pack up the family and leave the house just because the heater decided to take an unscheduled vacation.
But sometimes that’s the safest option.
If indoor temperatures continue dropping and you can’t maintain a reasonably warm space, consider staying with family, friends, or somewhere else with reliable heat.
Be especially cautious if your household includes infants, older adults, or anyone with health conditions that make them more sensitive to cold.
And if someone becomes unusually confused, extremely drowsy, or shows signs of hypothermia, seek emergency medical help.
Don’t wait until the house becomes dangerously cold to make a backup plan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Losing Heat at Home
How long will a house stay warm without heat?
A house may stay warm for several hours after the heat goes out, but there’s no guaranteed amount of time. Outdoor temperatures, insulation, drafts, wind, and the home’s starting temperature all affect how quickly it cools. Monitor your indoor temperature and make other arrangements if the house is becoming too cold to stay in safely.
Why is my heater not turning on even though the thermostat is set to heat?
Your heater may not turn on because of incorrect thermostat settings, a tripped circuit breaker, a power issue, or a problem with the heating equipment itself. Check that your thermostat is set to HEAT and the temperature is set above the current room temperature. If the system still won’t start, a professional can inspect the equipment and determine what kind of heating service is needed.
Will my heating system work during a power outage?
Most modern heating systems won’t operate during a power outage, including gas furnaces and electric heat pumps. Even gas furnaces typically need electricity to power their controls and blower motors. If the outage lasts and your home becomes too cold, arrange to stay somewhere with reliable heat.
Let’s Get Your Heat Back Up and Running
A heating breakdown is never convenient, especially when it’s cold enough outside that you actually need the heat.
But while you’re waiting for repairs, a few smart decisions can help you stay warmer, protect your home, and avoid turning one problem into two.
At Vital Air Services, we help homeowners throughout Atlanta, Norcross, and surrounding communities deal with HVAC problems without adding more stress to an already frustrating situation.
If your heat isn’t working, don’t spend the night piling on blankets and hoping it fixes itself.
Contact Vital Air Services to request help, and we’ll work with you to figure out the next step toward getting your home comfortable again.