What should I do if I smell gas in my home?

If you detect a sulfur or rotten egg smell, it may indicate a gas leak. Evacuate your home immediately and contact the gas company. This is crucial in Bozeman, MT, where gas leaks can pose significant safety risks during the cold winter months.

How can I reset my furnace if it stops working?

Locate the reset button near the blower compartment of your electric furnace. If unavailable, turn off and then on the circuit breaker to restart the system. In Bozeman, MT, where winters are harsh, ensuring your furnace is operational is essential for maintaining a warm home.

What should I do if my furnace is blowing cold air after a power outage?

Check your thermostat settings to ensure it's in heating mode and the fan is set to 'AUTO.' Also, inspect the furnace's circuit breaker to ensure it's not tripped. In Bozeman, MT, where power outages can occur during winter storms, it's important to verify these settings to restore warmth to your home.

How can I keep my home warm if my furnace is broken?

While waiting for repairs, use safe heating alternatives like cooking warm meals or using heated blankets. In Bozeman, MT, staying warm is essential during the winter months.

When should I call a professional for furnace repairs?

If basic troubleshooting steps do not resolve the issue, or if you notice unusual noises, smells, or a significant drop in heating efficiency, contact a professional HVAC technician. In Bozeman, MT, where winters are cold, timely repairs are crucial to ensure your furnace operates safely and efficiently.

What to Do When the Furnace Goes Out in Winter: 11 Tips

Premier Systems

January 30, 2023

The temperature inside your home will drop quickly if your furnace suddenly fails. When a furnace stops working, cold temperatures can put your health at risk. In this article, Premier Systems' furnace repair experts share what to do when the furnace goes out in winter.

1. Check for a Gas Smell

Strange odors inside your home, such as sulfur or rotten eggs, indicate a gas leak. Gas leaks are more likely if your furnace is old or has not received routine maintenance. In the event of a furnace failure caused by a gas leak, evacuate your home and call the gas company.

2. Reset the Furnace

In case of failure, try resetting your home's furnace. With an electric furnace, look for a yellow or red reset button near the blower compartment. If you cannot locate the button, turn off the circuit breaker and then back on to restart the furnace.

A gas furnace's filter or pilot light may be to blame for start-up problems. Newer furnaces come with automatic ignition, which makes it easier to relight a pilot flame. If you have an older model, check the owner's manual for steps to relight the pilot flame.

3. Troubleshoot the Furnace

Try some basic troubleshooting steps to turn the furnace back on.

Check the Thermostat

If your furnace is not turning on, check that your thermostat is in the "ON" position. Verify that the thermostat settings display heat mode. The thermostat may require new batteries if the screen is blank.

Check the Air Filter

A clogged or dirty air filter can cause a lack of airflow and prevent your furnace from starting. In addition, dirty filters can cause the furnace to overheat and automatically switch off. Try putting a new filter in your system and see if that resolves the issue.

Check the Furnace Door

In some cases, you may not have closed your furnace door, or it may have popped out of place. Check the furnace door and push it back to ensure it stays closed. If the door isn't closed, some furnaces will not turn on.

4. Cook Meals

Avoid turning on the stoves or ovens to heat the home since this can cause a fire. However, you can bake and cook warm meals for your family. After using and turning off the oven, you can leave it open so the warm air can heat the room.

5. Get Creative

When learning what to do when the furnace goes out in winter, it's important to stay warm with a hat, gloves, socks, and an extra sweater. If you have sleeping bags, heated blankets, and heated pads, use them to keep you warm.

Another quick way to stay warm is by drinking soup or hot beverages. Try to perform light exercises such as push-ups or yoga if you can. An elevated heart rate will affect your blood circulation and increase your body's internal temperature.

6. Have a Slumber Party

Bring your entire family into one room to ensure everyone stays warm. Try to limit the time spent outside and coming back inside to prevent cold air from entering. There will be an immediate difference as a result of the body heat.

If you have to wait the next day for furnace repair, try sleeping in an insulated room to trap the heat inside. Boost morale by calling it a slumber party despite the challenges. Also, take advantage of extra available blankets and turn on any space heaters.

7. Use a Space Heater

If there isn't a power outage, turn on your backup heating source, such as a space heater. A space heater can provide warmth while waiting for furnace repair. However, avoid sitting or draping anything over the heater, and ensure it is on a level, flat surface.

Space heaters are available in different sizes, shapes, and fuel types, so you can find the one that suits your home. However, for safety reasons, never leave a space heater unattended while in use.

8. Do Laundry

Stay warm by doing chores like laundry. The residual heat from your bed sheets will help you stay warm at night. When cold, place clothes directly in the dryer for ten to 15 minutes.

9. Open the Doors

Keep every door open inside your home when the furnace or heat system fails. Open doors create better airflow circulation, ensuring warm air stays indoors. The warm air can easily travel and spread throughout the rest of the home.

10. Insulate Your Home

Close all the windows in your home to prevent cold air from entering. You can reduce heat loss by up to 13 or 17% by drawing the blinds and curtains. When your furnace breaks and the temperature in your home drops, that is a significant amount of heat and energy.

If you don't have curtains, make your home warmer by hanging towels over the windows. Keep the doors to colder rooms, such as basements, closed. In the rooms you wish to stay, place blankets around the doorway to warm up the space.

11. Stop Pipes From Freezing

When you have a broken furnace, you do not want to deal with frozen pipes. Plumbing issues can arise if the temperature inside drops below freezing. Before the home cools, let the existing warm air in by opening cabinets under sinks where the plumbing pipes run.

Allow a small amount of water to run through your faucet if you're concerned about freezing pipes. Keeping the water flowing will ensure the pipes do not freeze. If you have spare equipment, space heaters can protect and heat the pipes.

Still Having Problems with Your Furnace?

Our team at Premier Systems provides unmatched HVAC services using the best tools and equipment. We can provide tips and guidance for conditions such as the furnace leaking water. Our expert HVAC technicians can thoroughly inspect your furnace to find the problem and perform quick repairs.

To schedule emergency furnace repair and for more information on what to do when the furnace goes out in winter, contact us at Premier Systems in Bozeman, MT, today. Call us at 406-380-3083.

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How to Keep Your Indoor Air Clean When Wildfire Smoke Is in the Air

April 28, 2026

Wildfire season has become an increasingly common part of life in Southwest Montana, especially for homeowners in Bozeman, Belgrade, and Four Corners. While the smoky haze outside is easy to see, what’s happening inside your home is often less obvious. Many people assume that simply closing windows and doors will keep them safe—but wildfire smoke can still enter your home and impact your indoor air quality (IAQ) in ways that affect both comfort and health. Why Wildfire Smoke Indoors Is a Serious IAQ Concern Wildfire smoke is made up of extremely fine particles called PM2.5, which are small enough to pass through tiny openings and even some standard HVAC filters. Once inside your home, these particles can circulate through your ductwork and linger in the air. For homeowners in our area, poor indoor air quality during wildfire season can lead to: Coughing, sneezing, and throat irritation Headaches and fatigue Aggravated asthma or allergies Increased strain on your HVAC system Without proper filtration and system maintenance, your home’s air may not be as clean as you think. How Smoke Affects Your HVAC System Your HVAC system plays a major role in managing your indoor air quality —especially during wildfire events. When smoke enters your home, your system can either help remove harmful particles or unintentionally spread them throughout your space. If your system isn’t equipped with the right components, you may experience: Reduced filtration of fine smoke particles Dirty ductwork circulating contaminants Increased wear and tear on system components Decreased efficiency and airflow This is why homeowners across Bozeman and Belgrade are upgrading their systems to better handle wildfire smoke conditions. HVAC Solutions to Improve Indoor Air Quality During Wildfire Season The most effective way to protect your home’s air is through professional HVAC solutions designed specifically for indoor air quality in Four Corners, Belgrade, and Bozeman. Upgrade to HEPA or High-Efficiency Filters Standard filters aren’t designed to capture the smallest smoke particles. Upgrading to HEPA filters or high-MERV rated filters allows your system to trap significantly more airborne contaminants, improving your IAQ immediately. Install Whole-Home Air Purification Systems Advanced air purification systems integrate directly into your HVAC system to continuously clean the air as it circulates. These systems are especially effective during wildfire season when outdoor air quality is poor for extended periods. Add an Air Scrubber Air scrubbers go beyond traditional filtration by actively removing pollutants, odors, and particles from the air and surfaces in your home. This added layer of protection can make a noticeable difference in homes affected by wildfire smoke. Schedule Professional Duct Cleaning If smoke has entered your home, particles can settle inside your ductwork. Duct cleaning removes built-up contaminants and prevents them from being recirculated, helping restore cleaner air throughout your home. Keep Up with HVAC Tune-Ups Regular HVAC tune-ups ensure your system is running efficiently and filtering air properly. During wildfire season, a well-maintained system is critical for maintaining healthy indoor air quality. Long-Term Protection for Homes in Bozeman, Belgrade & Four Corners Wildfire smoke isn’t just a temporary inconvenience—it’s an ongoing challenge for homeowners in Southwest Montana. Investing in indoor air quality solutions through your HVAC system provides long-term protection for your home and your family. By combining: High-efficiency filtration Whole-home air purification Air scrubbers Clean ductwork Routine system maintenance …you can significantly reduce the impact of wildfire smoke indoors. Breathe Easier with the Right HVAC Support Your home should be a place where you can escape poor outdoor air—not bring it inside. With the right HVAC upgrades and maintenance, you can take control of your indoor air quality in Bozeman, Belgrade, and Four Corners, even during the peak of wildfire season. If you’re noticing smoke lingering in your home or want to prepare ahead of time, working with a trusted HVAC professional can help you choose the best solutions for cleaner, healthier air. Cleaner indoor air starts with the right system—and the right team behind it.