Will A Gas Furnace Work Without Electricity?
During winter, your furnace is always your first line of defense. It is responsible for making your home comfortable as it evenly distributes warm air throughout the home. Unfortunately, winter can sometimes come with extreme weather conditions. For instance, a storm can knock out your electrical power and leave your home without electricity. So, will a gas furnace work without electricity? The answer is no. A gas furnace will not work in the absence of electricity. Fortunately, there are essential techniques that you can embrace to stay comfortable and safe whenever there is an electrical outage.
Reasons A Gas Furnace Cannot Operate Without Electricity.
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One would quickly think that a gas furnace can be reliable even when there is no electricity. Besides, it only requires gas to burn and produce energy. Unfortunately, your gas furnace is not a stove. It requires electricity to generate heat energy. Your gas furnace will not work during a power outage because there are components that require electricity to operate.
What Parts Of The Furnace Require Electricity?
- Relays: These are the switches responsible for controlling the flow of gas and ensuring the safety of the device. They include the fuel regulator and the thermocouple.
- Circuit Boards: The circuit boards refer to the components responsible for sending signals from the thermostat to the furnace.
- Blower Motor: The role of the blower motor is to push the heated air through the air duct system. It actively uses electricity to accomplish its functions.
Electronic Ignition: The ignition is responsible for igniting the burners. Without electricity, the ignition system cannot start up the furnace.
All of the components mentioned above are very significant to the furnace system. If there is no electricity to make them function, it simply means that the rest of the system will not be helpful.
How To Keep Warm During Blackouts
Since you do not have a say on the design of your gas furnace, the required course of action is always to ensure that you can keep warm whenever there is a blackout. It is possible to worry a lot during a snowstorm as these are the moments when indoor temperatures drop extremely low and protecting yourself and your family becomes essential. Below are some of the essential ways to generate and preserve heat in the absence of a functioning gas furnace.
Seal All Cracks, Crevices, & Gaps In Your Home
Warm indoor air escapes to the outside through the gaps and cracks in your home. Additionally, when the warm air is escaping to the outside, the outdoor cold air will be finding its way into the room. To prevent such undesirable scenarios from happening, you need to ensure that you seal cracks or any opening in your home before winter. You can use weatherproofing tape or chemicals to seal any cracks or holes in your home. Moreover, sealing cracks and openings in your home is a good practice as it helps preserve warm air and reduces energy costs.
Besides, gathering thick materials like towels and using them to block cracks and spaces that might allow the entry of cold air in the middle of winter will not cost you anything. If necessary, you can use quality tape to ensure that the material remains in place.
Cover Up
The other essential tip to keeping warm during winter is by wearing the proper clothing while indoors. Thick and quality fabrics can serve as insulation and preserve body heat. Preserving body heat is essential, especially if you do not have a reliable source of heat. When deciding on the type of clothing to wear while indoor, you should go for thick and light fabric that is efficient against the cold. Additionally, you may want to wear gloves and socks to ensure that you are warm.
Close The Doors & Windows
When the outdoor air conditions are not friendly, keeping your doors and windows closed is essential. Sometimes people leave their doors and windows open to let fresh air into the home. While that might be good during summer, it can be worse during winter, especially if you do not have a functional heating system. If you want to go out, you should ensure effective planning to reduce the number of times you need to open your doors.
Consume Warm Foods & Drinks
When it comes to drinking or eating, you need to make sure that whatever you are taking is not cold because if it is cold, it will not take long before you start shivering.
Light Candles
If you have candles in your home, then you may want to light them. Most people think that candles are only crucial for illuminating a room, but they can also prove quite effective in producing the extra heat that you need to stay warm. When the room is small, they can generate enough heat to make the temperatures high.
However, it would help if you were careful with where you place them as they can easily cause fire and result in losses. It is crucial to place your candles on flat and stable ground or place them in a bowl with water. The water will prove helpful in case there is a fire. Further, you will need to keep your candles away from flammable items such as the oven or stove.
If you have pets or kids, place the candles on surfaces that make it difficult for children or pets to knock them down. Importantly, you should not leave candles burning in a room if you are not around. The proper practice is to put them off whenever you go to sleep or step outside.
Have Hot Water Bottles Around
Whether you are sitting or sleeping, you may want to consider having hot water bottles around. You can pour hot water into bottles and wrap them into a cloth or a towel and use them to keep warm. The technique is crucial if you go to bed and do not want to lose your comfort.
What To Do If Your Furnace Doesn’t Work After A Power Outage
Examine the system if you try to start up your gas furnace after a power outage, and it does not budge. You may have to reset the safety lock, or the gas valve may have shut off. Additionally, other reasons may make the furnace not work after the power outage. While you may be tempted to experiment with the heating system, you should avoid such temptations. Trying to repair the system may cause more damage than good. The best approach to solving a problem with your gas furnace is to call a professional technician.
Conclusion
The best way to make your furnace reliable during cold months is to ensure that it is in good shape. Cleaning, regular checkups, and proper maintenance of the furnace will guarantee that it is always effective. Further, you must leave any issue that you do not understand to experienced technicians.
Call Lawes Company for All of Your HVAC Requirements
Lawes Company offers excellent cooling and heating services in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, New Jersey. Our certified HVAC technicians are the best in what they do, and you can trust them to provide you with top-notch services. Whether it is HVAC tune-ups, installations, repairs, or replacements, each of our techs has the skills and the knowledge to do the job right. Be sure to get in touch with us for free consultations and home estimates.
Further, we offer the most competitive prices in the area. Our professional services can enhance your comfort, increase energy efficiency in your home, and reduce cooling and heating costs. If you need to replace your HVAC system or even repair it, we can recommend the best course of action for you while working within your budget. Notably, we back our services with a guarantee to ensure that you get the satisfaction you deserve. Call Lawes Company to schedule a free, in-home estimate.
Contact us now at (732) 741-6300 to find out more!