For much of the country, during this time of the year, not having heat would not just be uncomfortable, it would be truly dangerous.  Recently, certain portions of the country dropped below zero degrees Fahrenheit.  Some areas of the northern most states can see temperatures like that on a fairly regular basis during the winter.  That kind of cold can quickly freeze pipes and infiltrate any unheated space, leaving occupants at risk.

Unfortunately, these are also the times when heating systems are most likely to fail.  Why? Those HVAC systems that are not properly maintained will be taxed by the need to run at full heating capacity.  Issues that had gone unnoticed become full-fledged problems that cause system failure.  No heat in the coldest months of the year have property owners frantically calling technicians to diagnose and repair those systems.

If you are among those that has lost heat, and are watching the heat plummet in your space, there are a few steps that you can take:

• Call the technician. This, of course, should be the first move, if you cannot resolve the issue on your own. If you are fortunate, this call will be met with instant response.  However, keep in mind that technicians are in high demand this time of the year, so you may have to wait for service.
• Dress warm. After you have placed that call, you should dress yourself and any other occupants in warm, winter clothing to ensure that no one gets too chilled. In some cases, for commercial or industrial properties, it may be necessary to send workers home until the issue has been resolved.
• Ask about sensors and controls. There are certain sensors and controls that can be used to better monitor your HVAC system. Some can send alerts before small issues become full scale system failure.  Obviously, after living through this once, the small investment will be worth avoiding such a situation in the future.