What to do When Your Heat Goes Out During a Winter Storm

A winter storm is stressful enough, but losing heat when temperatures drop can quickly turn into a serious situation. Whether it’s a power outage, equipment failure, or frozen components, knowing what to do when your heat goes out can help keep your family safe and prevent further damage to your home. Here’s a practical emergency guide, along with when to call in a professional to get your system back up and running.

Posted date
January 1, 2026

Step One: Stay Calm and Check the Basics

Before assuming the worst, start with a few quick checks:

  • Check your thermostat to make sure it’s set to “heat,” and the temperature is higher than the current room temperature.
  • Inspect circuit breakers to see if any have tripped.
  • Replace batteries in your thermostat if needed.
  • Check air filters, as a clogged filter can cause systems to shut down.

If your system still isn’t responding, it’s time to move into emergency mode.

Emergency Preparedness: Keeping Your Home Safe

When heat is out during a winter storm, safety comes first. Start with keeping you and your family warm by layering clothing, closing off unused rooms, and using space heaters, but with caution. Be sure to keep space heaters at least three feet away from flammable materials and never leave them unattended. Be very careful to never use gas appliances like grills, generators, or outdoor space heaters, as this can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Next, you should protect your plumbing. This includes letting faucets drip slowly to prevent frozen pipes, opening cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate, and if necessary, shutting off the main water supply.

If the Power Goes Out

If your heating system relies on electricity, you may need to wait until power is restored. During outages:

  • Use flashlights instead of candles.
  • Keep refrigerator doors closed.
  • Stay in one heated space if using a safe heat source.

Once power returns, check that your heating system restarts normally. If it doesn’t, professional service may be needed.

Signs It’s Time to Call a Professional

Some situations require expert help right away:

  • The system won’t turn on after basic troubleshooting 
  • You smell gas or burning odors
  • The furnace cycles on and off repeatedly
  • Unusual noises like banging or grinding
  • No heat during freezing temperatures, despite power being on

Delaying repairs during winter can lead to frozen pipes, water damage, or further system failure.

How Full Comfort Heating & Air Can Help

When the heat goes out, you want a local team you can trust. Full Comfort Heating & Air of Morristown, TN, is available to help homeowners get safely through winter emergencies. Their experienced technicians diagnose issues quickly and work efficiently to restore heat, whether it’s a minor repair or a more complex system issue.

Full Comfort Heating & Air provides:

  • Prompt emergency heating service
  • Expert troubleshooting and repairs
  • Honest recommendations and clear communication
  • Reliable service from a trusted local company

When winter storms hit East Tennessee, having a dependable HVAC partner can make all the difference.

We at Full Comfort Heating and Air want to help you maintain your HVAC units so that they will last long. We are happy to provide tips on optimizing your unit to reduce electric and gas costs. If you are looking into a smart thermostat, let us help you; we are the experts after all! Please reach out to us to schedule a routine maintenance or help you with any repair issues.